High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - We're Currently Monitoring if Our Pets Have Heads

Episode Date: May 8, 2023

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies losing two of three to the Red Sox and more. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. They did win yesterday, Jack. You're right. Everything's fine. Yo, it is. There you go. I think that's

more appropriate. What a fun team. You tweeted this, and it's so funny because I was thinking it pretty much at the exact moment I saw your tweet. The Phillies record after pods where we declare them back has to be like 0-100. It just never works.

We should never say that. They could be 40 games over 500 and be like, well, still a little concerned about this team. I know, but at the same time, I can't do it, man. I just can't stay neutral with them. It's just so impossible. It's impossible for me. So, yeah, it's been not very fun.

And what's so annoying is that, obviously the style of play has just been annoying. And really, it's like there's enough talent here to be good. There's far and away enough talent to be good. And like, these were all

show me series. The Astro series was a good show me. And that Sunday game, they easily could have won. They lost 4me series. The Astros series was a good show-me. And that Sunday game, they easily could have won. They lost 4-3. The Dodgers series, just getting bludgeoned the first two games was disheartening. They lost 36 runs in three games. That's almost impossible. Cody Clones came in back-to-back games. To give up 13 in back-to-back games and just get boat raced and not even show up,

especially, by the way, in the second game when Bryce freaking Harper returns and you get 13-1, like don't even show up. But then even worse, to lose those first two games and then to blow a 5-0 lead, man. Yeah, but here's my thing about the 5-0 lead is that didn't it feel right? It did, man. Like it was...

With Nola on the hill, it was like, oh yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah, I know. Seen this one a million times. This feels normal right here. And by the way that ball was just the most hung fastball.

You knew within a millisecond that thing was gone. The ball was not flying out of LA that day because Freeman hit a ball like what two innings before? That was like a home run. I was like that's gone. Ten rows deep. But yeah they lost a 5- home run. I was like, that's gone. It's 10 rows deep. But, yeah, they lost a 5-0 game, and I was like, well, I don't know why. I've lived that. I've lived that loss 1,600 times in the last five years.

That's what they do in the basis of everything. So that was brutal. And then it's like, okay, bad series. We'll excuse it away. Bryce returned. Everyone kind of had a letdown moment. You have an off day. Just come home and take care of the Red Sox.

And they didn't take care of the Red Sox. Because the Red Sox are like apparently does this not feel like one of those random Red Sox years? Everyone's like oh they're going to be last in the division. This and that. All of a sudden they just win 100 games. Yeah and now they're going to put the ball in play. This and that. All of a sudden, they just win 100 games. Yeah, and they're like,

now they're going to put the ball in play. They're batting like 299 since April 14th or whatever. They're going to be a field error ambassador in baseball again. No problem. Yeah, it's just like,

this feels like one of those red socks. Every single time that guy came to the plate this weekend, I was like, he's not getting out. Like, I, that was, it's been a while since there,

I guess like Arias was kind of like this in the Marlins series, but she's like, every time Debra stepped to the play, I was like, all right, he's going to do something against us. Every single time. He swings so hard. He really does.

He just swings so freaking hard. So, yeah, it was an annoying weekend. And all it keeps bringing me back to is the lineup construction thing was annoying. So annoying. It was like, just stop. It's okay to move Schwarber down. He's a veteran. He'll be okay.

Yes! Also, it kind of felt like with Sirianni in his first year, with the fans actually chanting, run the ball, to the point where you saw Howard going at him over the weekend. Like Howard was basically like, you're a moron. How are you not betting? Stop lead off.

What is going on here? And, you know, I think at a certain point, maybe toppers just like, all right, no, I can't do it.

I can't do it. You guys. Okay. You guys win. You guys win. Then you win six one. No big deal. It's no big deal at all.

I mean, it's just so much better that way. What? The one I win. The lineup from yesterday is just so clearly the correct lineup. Yeah, it's just, it doesn't, it was all just overthinking into overthinking. You don't have to overthink it. Like, Stott, while, yes, he's batting like 200 in the last month, which isn't great,

he works a great at bat. Every single time. He works a great at bat. He had 11 pitch at bat yesterday. You know, like like and I love like Schwarber's my favorite player on the team

but you don't have to do that like just bat in five and let him have some RBI situations so certainly worked out yesterday

it did it's one for its last one it is funny though like it worked out perfectly you think there's a part of Rob Thompson that was like

damn yeah for sure like damn that's like, damn. Yeah, a little bit. Yeah, for sure. Like, damn. It's like when your takes go bad. You know? It's like, yeah, I'm happy they won, but, like, man, I wish I was right. Anyway.

But my big takeaway from the weekend and how I just feel overall is that, like, I'm legitimately concerned about them. Oh, I was not expecting this. Because it's not – the lineup thing is whatever. I think over 162, they'll bear out, they'll figure it out. The bullpen, I still believe in. This starting staff's a problem. And if this is the Wheeler and Nola that we're going to get all year,

then it's a massive problem. And that's why Ranger coming back at the end of next week is more important to me than Bryce coming back. Bryce coming back was great. It's fine, we get Bryce back. But the lineup was going to be fine. But Ranger is now the most

important piece they can bring into this team. Because Wheeler's been inconsistent, and it seems like that's what we're going to get all year. Noah's inconsistent. Feels like we're going to get that all year. Falter is pitches way out of the rotation. He won't be, but he is pitching like he's pitches way out of the rotation. He won't be, but he is. He should be.

He's pitching like he's pitched his way out of the rotation. And Walker is about as inconsistent as he could possibly be. Up, down, up, down. And maybe the new trick is he throws 80% splitters. Yeah. And that's. Just seem like, oh, throw strikes. Okay.

Yeah, I'll throw strikes. Like, they changed that. I mean, they told him, like. Yeah, they talked about it a lot in the broadcast. A lot. It was like, this is what they've told the broadcasters. We're going to tell them to throw a lot of splitters. Yeah, they literally told, they mentioned it like a lot in the broadcast. It was like, this is what they've told the broadcasters. We're going to tell them about a lot of spoilers. They've mentioned it like five times during the broadcast.

So you get Ranger back, and that's a massive win. And you need him to just kind of calm everything down. Because if they don't get this starting staff together, I don't care what the lineup is. Because the starting staff is legitimately costing them games right now. All these guys are costing them games. Even the guys that you pay a ton of money not to cost the games are costing the games so um they're facing good lineups dodgers are good red sox are good the blue jays coming into town it's good you know so it's it might it might it's only two games um but but

then we go to colorado it's no big deal yeah they've always done well in colorado you excited about bailey falter but you can't wait dude yeah can't wait and i'm so disappointed in bailey it's But then we go to Colorado. It's no big deal. Yeah, they've always done well in Colorado. You excited about Bailey Falter? Can't wait, dude. Can't wait. And I'm so disappointed in Bailey. It's like he could be fine, but he is absolutely not fine right now. It's very annoying. So, like, the starting staff is just – it's just morphed into a big concern.

And I hope that Ranger can come back and just be Ranger and we just, like, bang, there's seven innings of like two run ball from Ranger. Um, because if not, then you start seeing the trickle down effect of like the bullpen being overworked, which I think you're starting to see a little bit from Alvarado. You're starting to see from, from these guys of like,

we're pitching a ton of innings. Like, can we get a break? So, um, it's definitely, it's a little bit of a red flag right now. Yeah.

Look, I'm right there with you. I'm not overall ready to be concerned. I'm not ready to say that this is the Nolan Wheeler we're going to see all season. It's only been a month and a season. They're still ramping back up after a shorter offseason, less of pitching more innings last year and all that stuff. So I'm not ready to get there yet, but it's absolutely concerning.

So how do you reconcile, like, a start ago, Wheeler and Nola are great, looked great. Like, weren't just great, they looked great. Like, they pitched really well, and then they come out the last one and look more like the Wheeler and Nola we've seen all season. That's concerning, but why are you concerned that we can't get back to the guys we saw last week? Because, well, first off, they can.

They can. I know, I'm saying why you concerned we won't, obviously. Because it's just been this whole year where it's like, one good, one bad, one good, one bad, one good, one bad. It's like, I hoped that the Astros start was a snowball. Like, okay, now here's a month straight where Wheeler

and Nola are pitching to a 2-E area. Like, that's what I thought we were getting with the Astros thing. And they just kind of reverted back to what they've been all year. And now I have the fear of, like, is this how it's going to be all year? Is this how it's going to be where it's, like, they have the one freaking blow-up inning that, like, just ruins a start for them. So, obviously, they can go on a run.

And I don't want to use the whole trust the back of the baseball card because we tried to do that with Cassianos last year. Yeah, that always backfires on us. I think we should avoid that. But the track records are the track records. So hopefully when Ranger gets back and it kind of just settles everyone down into being able to be in the roles that they need to be,

hopefully they can get Painter eventually. Who knew? We were like, oh, I don't even need him. It's like, wow, you know what would be awesome? Andrew freaking Painter. I know. It would be awesome. And we saw the roles.

Like Strom yesterday, that was big. Being able to give you two innings in the back end of the game like that. That's the exact reason that being able to get Strom to the bullpen and feeling good about it can really help this team. Yeah, but. No, I'm saying Bailey sucks right now.

I'm not saying that. I'm just saying if the roles could work out, that's how it works out ideally. Yeah, but... No, I'm not saying... I'm saying Bailey sucks right now. I'm not saying that... I'm just saying if the roles could work out, that's how it works out ideally. Yeah, for sure. I just think that... I think it's a mistake to pull Strom from rotation right now. Well, yeah.

I mean, look, you haven't had enough good pitching, and he's giving you five strong most of the time. I know the last one wasn't great. Yeah, I don't know how you do... Especially with Fulter. Like, at least early on,

it felt like Fulter, he wasn't great, but he was keeping you in games. He wasn't the reason you do it, especially with Fulter. At least early on, it felt like Fulter, he wasn't great, but he was keeping you in games. He wasn't the reason you were losing. Last few starts, it felt like you had no chance of Fulter's on the hill. So this pitching staff, I love doing the lineup talk because it's fun, just to argue and yell about something. And it's easy.

And it's easy. But if this staff doesn't get it together, it's such a moot point. Like, again, even on Saturday, like, it was a close game. They were right in it. And then Brockton allows two, and all of a sudden it's 7-4. 7-3, and then it became 7-4. Right. So it became 7-4 rather than 5-3.

And that's just the difference between being able to come back and win. And, like, I was so – this happens at least two times a month where I get so defeated where it's like, like, man, I just doing this every night. And then like, it's just,

it's, it's draining sometimes. But, um, like Turner, cause you were supposed to be different. I, they'll get there anyway.

Um, but then like, like Turner hits the home run. Meaningless home run. And I was just like, I was done. I was like, I don't care. I don't care. I tell you what you do. You're like, I don't care about the home run. Win a ball game. Yeah, win a ball game. I don't care. I'm so,

so defeated. Like, no one in the world I think is worse at handling six straight losses. Yeah, I think that's very clear. It got to the point, which is how all sports fans, I think, kind of are when their team is struggling. At the beginning, it's like anger you're losing, and then the apathy sets in. No worse place to be in than when apathy starts in. You're like, yeah, they'll probably lose.

That's the worst. No, it's not. And again, you just said it. This year is supposed to be different. It was. It was. I mean, it's the most exciting we've had about a Phillies season in a decade. And the freaking ballpark is so packed.

I know. People are showing up still, which I love, man. Just figure it out. I know. I need a full Citizens Bank Park all summer long. I can't live in a world where people lose interest in them fast. Again? Yes.

And I just, because it just, they did so much goodwill with that run last year. And people are clearly excited. The Shurzys are still really old. They had to dust off the Cliff Lee and the Roy Halladays and the Utleys. They had to dust off the old Shurzys. They're still out there. It's time for some new Shurzys, obviously. But we can't lose that momentum.

And losing six straight, good way to lose the momentum. Good way to crush the momentum. Yeah, I'm with you. And look, they could win five straight and it's not that big a deal. It is still early in the season. It is May 8th. I'm really trying not to overreact and to freak out because, again, it is really early in the season. This team stunk until June last year and then turned it around. But you don't have to do that every year. No, you don't.

Again, I'm trying to present a positive side here. You don't have to go 22 and 29. I'm with you. I know they think they do. I'm with you. I'm with you. And it's incredibly frustrating because, you know, because of the brand of baseball. Like you said,

I mean, they've lost games they shouldn't lose. And that's incredibly frustrating. But yeah, look, I think the Lions are going to be fine. We'll get to Bryce in a bit. We'll get to the whole thing. I think they're going to score runs over the span of the season. And I think the bullpen's going to be fine. I think you've nailed it. I think it comes down to the starting pitching. It comes down to Ranger hopefully going to be back

at the end of this week. They're saying Colorado hopefully obviously won't give you too many innings to start. Nor do you want him to come out in Colorado. It's interesting though. At least in his rehab, he was up to 80 some pitches. So if you're 80 pitches back-to-back starts, you should be able to go

to 90, 95. Sure. Depending on how efficient he is. But yeah, there is some upside there. Yeah, it's massive. So back quickly before we talk about the line, I do want to get back to Wheeler and Nola a bit. And I do want to talk about Walker's story yesterday because he did look good.

But what do we need from Wheeler and Nola? Like, what do you need to see to start to feel some positivity about them? Because, again, we thought we were seeing it in Houston, and then the bounce back this weekend especially. I know Wheeler was just bad, but Nola, I mean, it's just so frustrating to see him get staked a 5-0 lead and blow it away again. Like, that's just, it felt so familiar, man.

It felt right. Yeah. For me, it comes down to, like, and this has kind of been the MO of their career, or at least Nola's career, but it's the blow-up innings for me, where it's like there's been multiple times where it's like they've reached the third or fourth, and then bang, there's a four-run inning, and it's like, whoa, crap, it's all over. And then they usually settle back down into a rhythm and figure it out.

You know, like Nola, what made him so valuable and why his pitcher war was so high was obviously the strikeout rate, which the strikeout rate's been down this year. So obviously you want to see more strikes. But he also, I thought it was interesting, when they were talking on the Wednesday start, there was like a, like they were putting the narrative out there that he's trying to throw softer to stay deeper into games.

Deeper into games, more efficient with his pitches, all that. And I was wondering that, so last year what they did with those two is obviously Wheeler got shut down in the middle of the season and maybe that was a part of a ramping up effort for the rest of the year. What they did with Nola was they would obviously skip a start. But they would have him an extra day's rest when they could. And then they would change up his running routine to make sure that he's good not to September but through September. And that was all concerted in that kind of effort. So with both of those two specifically, like the lack of velo and stuff but also

being able to throw an 87 mile an hour change up in nola's case or a 90 mile an hour change up in wheeler's case which they could both still do i wonder if this is a concerted effort to not push them too hard use all of your bullets early that's a really interesting point like i wouldn't say it wasn't smart to do that you know that is that is, like, an interesting thought to me. But we also have to. We need to win games. I know. Yeah.

Because that's what I keep watching those two. And it's like, you guys have never been. Like, to have both of those guys be, like, Nola down to 90 and a half miles an hour. Wheeler down to, like, 95. They've never been those guys. And with the way that they're kind of talking about it The way the broadcasters are talking about it

Of like they're making this concerted effort to like You know have a little bit less velocity To maybe push through a season Maybe this is like what the What the The Phillies want them organizationally Well and like the The science

Yeah the sports science The sports science behind it all is like Hey let's not go out there and try to throw 98 and then work your way up to that rather than doing it in April. You want to have your 98 in October when you need it.

Right. Yeah, I mean, it's a fascinating thought and it's the most hopeful, you know, angle on this because the other end is they just pissed deep into November and their arms aren't back up, you know, and it's just harder to get back up and all that type of stuff.

So that would make a lot of sense to me. So I'm hopeful with that. And that's what watching those guys that looks like to me. Yeah. Because it just looks like they're making a concerted effort not to go all out and push it too hard early in the season. Now, that is a good plan. It can work. The problem is that it's costing them games right now,

and they are under 500. So at what point, and we're going to get to Walker in a sec, but let's say, you know, look. Walker? Ah, that's right. How is Walk? He's great. Good.

I love the picture you sent over there. It's a JacksBecomeSendPicture guy, and I love it. It's adorable. I realize after having a kid why people take so many pictures of their kids yeah it's the best yeah well because back in the day i mean you have to take like a polaroid out or you take the little snap photo thing and you have to go get them printed oh yeah you just like they're all on your phone oh that's so cute i gotta take a picture well you know and i'm already trying to think about his future instagram captions

this is me and my dad in the first like, yeah. Oh, oh, oh, oh. I'm like, he better nail his Father's Day post. That's all I'm saying. You know what I mean?

I like that you're already thinking about his social media footprint. Exactly right. Exactly right. If social media is even around. Who knows? If we're around. Eh,

whatever. We'll see. Take it one day at a time. That's right. Keep our head down. You know, we gotta win today not worry about tomorrow

that's true or win tomorrow the next day off today yeah alright we'll get to Walker Taiwan okay

in a second at what point because ideally Strom would be in the bullpen like in a perfect world Strom's in the bullpen Painter as much as we want I'm like

we're still a couple months away I think at best from that or a month plus whatever at best from that happening and Ranger coming back obviously that's huge but at what point if you're Dombrowski Like, we're still a couple months away, I think, at best from that, or a month plus, whatever, at best from that happening. And Ranger coming back, obviously that's huge, but at what point, if you're Dombrowski,

do you start to consider adding someone? Do you start to look at the market and say, hey, this is a team that's, the goal is to win the World Series this year. This is a playoff team. You know, third wild card's there. We have a bit of a cushion in terms of making the playoffs. Not this moment, but theoretically, like, do you say, you know what, we're going to need someone, let's go get someone?

A month. A month. A month. Hopefully a month from now, in a perfect world, in an optimistic sense, the plan they had for Tom and Walker works, and like it worked yesterday, which was a ton of splitters, and that kind of writes a ship. He doesn't have to be dominant.

But we gave this guy four years, 72 million. Like, he has to be. Well, especially when we're watching after, like, seven innings, 10 strikeouts in Tampa. It's crushing. It's crushing. It's crushing. It's both crushing and the least surprising thing that's ever happened.

But he's also already been on the IL this year. True. But he's back. Well, yes. Of course. He's going to be a great Ray. The Rays made him the highest paid free agent in franchise history.

That should tell you a little something about Zach. Yeah, that's right. But good for him. Whatever. Love Zach. They gave him four years, $72 million. Having to just bank on him being an innings eater is not the greatest kind of spot to be at. But I think that a month from now, hopefully that this new plan for him works. Hopefully Wheeler and Nola kind of get it figured out more than they do right now.

Hopefully Painter's on his way back. And then it's like, well, maybe we'll just hold off until the deadline. But at least a month from now, you have a better sense of where these guys are all at. You get Ranger back into rotation. Hopefully Ranger comes back and is good. But there's also the very real possibility of the forearm acts up again. And this is just one of those years for Ranger where he just can't get healthy. And that happens to pitchers all the time where it's like, I'm back.

No, I'm not. It's literally Zach Wheeler, like, the first, like, four years of his career or whatever it was. Right. So I think a month from now we'll have a better sense of where the starting staff is. And in an optimistic sense, Walker Hovland took a step forward yesterday. Wheeler and Nola can stop.

He's walking already? It's amazing. I know. I know. I know. He's not even seeing it. It's so funny. You try to stand him up and he falls right down.

Yeah. Yeah. It's great. It's funny. Yeah, it is. He'll start standing. Yeah. Not excited.

I'm excited for him to start moving, but I'm not excited for him to start moving. Yeah, it goes both ways. You're like, oh, that's so cool. And then you're like, oh, now I have to move with you. I got to stay alert all the time. No, I can't just leave you right there and I know you're there. Exactly. So we're looking forward to that.

But I think a month is a fair assessment of where this starting staff is. All right. So in a perfect world, we've been saying a lot in a perfect world. A lot. That's what happens when you lose six straight. We're out with the Phillies right now. In a perfect world, we're coming on here and saying, Bryce Harper's back and the Phillies have won four straight with him.

Five straight with him. We're not saying that. But, I mean, Bryce Harper is back, and that is like thrilling. We talk so much about it. Comes back in 160 days or whatever. Medical marvel. And actually, looks pretty good,

Jack. Like, I was not expecting Bryce's timing to be on already. Already homered over the weekend, opposite field shot. Had the five on base night, day in LA that game. Like, his second game back, the dude was on base night, day in LA that game, like, his second game back, the dude was on base five times in five at-bats, like, at five play-bears, it's like,

I mean, I know he's Bryce Harper, and clearly he's a medical frickin' Marvel and all this stuff, but, like, I can't believe he's already kind of locked in. I'm shocked, man. I'm shocked. Well, that's why he's our guy. And, uh, and it's just, cause, full disclosure, after the game Tuesday in L.A.,

I was like, well, do they really have to bat him three? Yeah. So he's going to suck for a little bit, guys. Yeah. Just start him seven and not have him be like a problem in the middle of your lineup. And then it's just on base five times the next day. It's like, oh, I'm an idiot. Okay.

Just kidding. No big deal. Just kidding. With the pitch clock stuff too I mean that's my point and they even figured out the brace thing it is miraculous this guy is miraculous so yeah and now he's doing the whole I like when he goes no batting gloves

I think it's awesome I think it's funny when he goes. You know, and we've talked, I've brought it up in the pod many times. I think it is one of the cooler things that you can do is be a no batting gloves guy. Yeah, it's hard, but yeah. Yeah, that's my point. It's like, what a man. I know.

What a tough guy. What a tough guy. But yeah, it's just, he is so, he is, and what I like the most about Bryce now is that in the beginning of his career, he would be a big tinker with every little thing, where it's like he'd change his swing one at bat, go back, change it, change it, change it. Remember the toe tap, the this, that, yeah, he's doing all that stuff. He's pretty much been the same guy.

He's had the same setup for about two years right now. And I think that's really important when it comes to just getting into a rhythm, knowing that swing. You don't have to worry about a million different swings just focus on that swing and since he's focused on just one swing i mean he's been freaking dominant so um i like that he's just like in a consistent spot i like that he's just you don't have to like ever really worry about him too far either way um And I like what he does when it comes to giving real protection for Trey Turner and for guys around him. The fact that he is back and the fact that the young guys are struggling right now, like

Baumstadt and Marsh, unbelievable to start the season. They're all pretty much cold now, which is normal. That's what happens. It's the ebbs and flows of baseball season. Brandon Marsh is not leading the league in OPS. Yeah, believe it or not. Don is normal. That's what happens. It's the ebbs and flows of baseball season. Brandon Mars is not leading the league in OPS. Yeah, believe it or not. Don't think that was

going to happen. But what it does is like the fact that when they all, when those guys figure it out and they turn back around, the fact that

one of those guys is going to be batting seven or eight is just stupid. And that's why it's hard for me to get too down on them because you see all the talent here. They just got to get on a roll and figure it out.

And the lineup with the staff the way it is right now is going to have to carry them a little bit here. And they've been a smidge inconsistent, which is not great. But Bryce coming back and being right in the lineup and back to being bryce harper with stoddard turner in front of them and then bang the rest of the lineup it's it's just it's such a game changer and it's like such a testament it's like it's almost like you just want to say thank you yeah like for for putting in the extra work to like make sure you're back and being fine and being Bryce Harper.

Because that's what it that's almost what it deserves. It does. Again, it's a medical. It's history. It's unprecedented what this guy has done. And you're right. You know, we talk so much about just like, oh, he's built different. And oh, he's athletes are humans, except Bryce Harper, all that. But you're right.

Like, we don't give enough credit to the amount of work that that guy put in to get back on time. The rehab, all that stuff. He's back because he worked his ass off to get back. Now, I did think it was interesting. He said yesterday before the game with Rosenthal that everyone's under the same plan here. That, like, if I don't play first base this year, it's not the end of the world. Which I thought was interesting because I kind of was under the sense, like, he'll be back DHing for a month and then we'll play first base. And the fact that that's not happening or could not happen is noteworthy, I think.

And it really stinks because, again, love Schwarz. Just the left. I've just noticed it way more this year. I've noticed it way more. He seems even slower out there. I know. That's possible. I know.

Last year I swore, there's moments, obviously, but this year is actively killing them. They killed them in the Wednesday game, Friday, there were so many little things that you've got to get to that ball, man.

Obviously, with Bryce not being able to play first, you have to keep Schwarber out there in left field. That's kind of one of the... It's almost like I wanted to play first base. But also, I don't want you to tear your – I don't need another Tommy John surgery. Yeah, I think we avoid the Tommy John. But, yeah, just what a ball player.

It's unbelievable. And, again, you're right. It changes the whole complexion of the lineup. And I do – I have total faith that they'll get rolling. I'm really not concerned about this lineup. It is way too deep. It's way too talented. And Trey Turner's too good.

He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. He's going to be fine. Don't worry. He's going to be all right. Okay. And I am with you. I'm just saying.

I get it. The strikeouts. The first pitch swinging. He walked yesterday. And I was like. I'm just saying. I get it. The strikeouts, the first pitch swinging. He walked yesterday, and I was like, what? Is that allowed? Yeah. He's going to turn it around. I fully believe that.

It has just been so frustrating. And the at-bat with Jansen on Friday. I know. Just three straight. It was an embarrassment. It wasn't even close on him. It wasn't even close. Like not even close to it.

This is 2023 Kenley Jansen. Yeah. This isn't even peak. Oh, he's at.93, right? Yeah. He'll be fine. He'll be fine. So I get it though because like the Castellanos thing, it's like, oh, we just saw this.

Maybe we'll be fine this year and then he'll figure it out. Cast, he's still hitting. He is still hitting. Still getting it done buddy. Yeah. One other thing with Harper that I wanted to mention that I do think is important because we always talk about Harper is not you know he should be the leader of the team because he's the best player but he's not like

a rah rah he's not you know Schwarber's kind of that guy of the leader and all that but I do appreciate like like, Bryce comes back. They play that horrible game. They play the next horrible game. And that night when they lose third to him, and then the next day Bryce is like, we can't do that. He's like, that is not okay.

We can't lose games. Like, he just comes out, and I appreciate that Harper, who I've been in the lineup all year, just comes in. He's like, with that guy on the mound, like, we can't do that. We can't lose games like that. And I appreciate that mentality that Bryce is coming right in, not afraid to criticize, not afraid to call people out, and just saying, like, unacceptable.

And his second game back, I appreciate that. Well, and that's what the best players do. Exactly. And I get it. He hasn't felt comfortable doing that. But you're also the guy. You're the MVP. You're the guy that had Bellum at the bank.

You are the guy everyone turns to. And when that guy says it, it just're also the guy. You're the MVP. You're the guy that had Bellum at the bank. You are the guy everyone turns to. And when that guy says it, it just holds a different weight. Like, Schwarber is, I believe, the emotional leader to the team. He's the Justin Boer. Yeah, sure. Remember Gabe called him an emotional warrior? Yeah. I'm joking.

Obviously, just an emotional warrior. All-time great line. But it was a very quick Justin Boer pull. I i was not i thought i was gonna use like you know someone better so good job by you but i did not see justin boar being brought up you know yeah so but like so shorebird is like keep it loose in the clubhouse have fun like whatever but bryce is the guy sets the tone yeah where it's almost like howard and nutley where it's like get me to the playboys that kind of thing um and we know the star player always always matters when it comes to that kind of stuff and it's actually like i don't mean to break sports here but like i feel like both him

and joel have taken a big step forward when it comes to that aspect of it like you know joel yesterday saying he's terrible yeah saying that he, like, I gotta trust my, like, whatever. Like, I think he is taking a big step when it comes to growth. And I think Bryce is kind of doing the same thing. Like, I agree with you. Him coming out and being like, that can't happen. Especially when you're under 500 and it's kind of teetering a little bit. And that's why it annoys me when, like, a manager or whoever will say,

well, that's baseball. You know what I mean? Because Bryce actually understands, like, he is speaking to the fans as well yeah because the fans don't want to hear it's that's baseball dude it's so true and bryce being able to be like no this is bullcrap yeah you know like i think that that's that resonates with the fans it does he knows i mean bryce is you know whatever whether it's coached or not or whatever I don't care like that guy just understands what we want from an athlete as well as anyone I've ever seen it really is amazing well and I think I think he I think he much like hopefully a lot of guys on this team

obviously got intoxicated with what the playoffs were like last year and the fact that he can kind of feel that slipping a little bit yeah Yeah, sure. Like, Bryce wants those big moments again. Desperately. Dude, Bryce has morphed back into one. Like, for a five-year stretch there, it felt like Bryce was just a guy again, you know, where he's like not Bryce freaking Harper. And then that one home run, I was like, oh, wait, no,

he's definitely one of the faces of the sport. Like, Bryce is back to being one of the faces of the sport, and I think he likes that. Yeah. And he wants to get back and doing that again. Yeah, I'm 100% –I couldn't agree with that more. He came here to win titles. And look, I do think, you know, they had that mantra going into the season,

and we lost it and forgot about it, but, you know, two more wins. Like, they feel that. You know, just like we talk about the Eagles where Jalen Hurts is always so hungry. Like, Bryce Harper's freaking hungry too, man. Bryce Harper wants to win a World Series. No one loves—there might not be a player in the sport who loves baseball as much. Bryce Harper wants to win World Series. No one loves There might not be a player in the sport who loves baseball as much as

Bryce Harper. He's in the 1% or.01% of baseball players who love the sport they play, love the history, love everything about it. That dude wants a title as much as anyone in the sport. I guarantee it. And he plays that way. Yeah, he does.

He plays that way. Sometimes he's aggressive. You mean his first hit? That was a signal. He's like, I'm doing it! I'm doing it! I'm back! He's sometimes a little aggressive. He's like, I'm back! But you take the aggression when it comes for just how the guy is.

It's good to have him back. Missed him. Honestly, we needed it. We needed it. Seriously, it's just like that homer on Saturday at least gave us something. It was like, thank God we got something to have him back. Missed him. Dude, honestly, we needed it. We needed it. Seriously. It's just like that homer on Saturday at least gave us something. It was like, thank God we got something to be excited about. It's been a rough stretch. This losing streak really got to me. Like, it was tough, man.

I felt it, man. I felt it. Yeah, it was bad. It was really, really bad. Well, again, and it's actually because, you know, it's been a season of, you know, to the point we made earlier, where it's the season where we're coming up with the most excitement in a decade, over a decade. There's so much, you know, just positive vibes with the team. And then, you know, all season long has just been like pulling teeth.

And then, you know, they have that Houston series. We sort of like, OK, all right. You know, good, good. Let's go. And then it's a six-game losing streak. It's like, yep, sure. I know. But, but, but, like we started the podcast saying, it's all normal.

It's all normal. It's all normal. We're back where we are. All right. You got anything else on the weekend before we get to the take back? No. All right. Take back.

I know. But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but. Okay. Okay. So, I'm just saying If the starting staff continues to struggle What if I told you There's a player down in the minor league

That in his last 12 innings pitch Struck out 14 And only allowed 2 earned On 6 hits Would you be interested in that player? I would be, yes. Well, welcome back, Mick Abel. Oh, Mickey!

Mick Abel. The new Mick. Hashtag why not Mick. That's right. So I don't know what their full play. He hasn't walked a guy in two stars either, which I think is a massive, massive improvement. But I'm still curious to see the fastball command

and seeing if that is improved a lot. I'm sure it has if he's on that little bit of a run. But, I mean, he's a guy who's 21 years old in AA, now back to dominating. Maybe one more month of this, get up to AAA and see where we're at. See where we're at with this whole thing. So it's just good to see. It's good to see that he's doing that in Redding,

which obviously is a hitter's ballpark. Yeah, well, and also because, and it's no offense to make but he's kind of the forgotten guy with you know how great painter's been in the minors and painter this generational prospect and deserves all the accolades we've given him and all that but mick abel's a really good prospect you know we kind of just don't talk about i mean we mentioned griffin him here and there and stuff but in terms of like real pieces you know that could help we don't talk about it. I mean, we mentioned Griff and him here and there and stuff, but in terms of real pieces that could help, we always just talk about Painter. Abel is a legit, legit prospect.

Of course he is. I mean, he's touching 99 again. And Griff made his debut for the year over the weekend, so that was good. Also, the Threshers won 13 straight. You want to talk about my favorite team in the system? Love the Threshers, man. Love the Clearwater Threshers.

13 straight. Their pitching staff is stupid. Orion Kirkering. I don't think is going to be in Clearwater this week. Yeah, I don't know how he still is. I believe he's going to be in Reading by the end of the week. This is like Jackie Sources. Anyway.

Just dropping it. Look at you. Orion. Look at you. Our guy. Dude, I need Orion. Talk about September. He's probably the best thing they could acquire.

I mean, he's going to be closing in October, right? Yeah, for sure. Go on. No doubt about it. He's very important to me. Orion Kirkering has moved up my list. It is such a great name, too. It's just a strong baseball name.

Speaking of closers, I know it worked. There was just a little part of me yesterday where I was like, are we really using Alvarado on the seventh? I know. That could be Soto's spot. I know. Topper does that. He really is big on the leverage matchups. He's always going to put Alvarado in to face the

heart of the order and stuff like that. Worked out. Strom, he looked awesome. I know. Strom looked great. His whole new mentality of just kind of gripping heart of the order and stuff like that and worked out strom he looked awesome i know great he's gonna yeah and his whole new mentality of like just kind of grip it yeah just a tag it's it's been a game changer for him dude he he's been me all things considered i mean he's been the best pitcher on the staff this season probably like all around like if you take the starts and everything put together i mean other navarro yeah i meanado, yeah. I mean, he's been, Stram has been great.

Well, he's probably been the best. Yeah, he's been the best. He's definitely been the best starter. Well, he's been the best signing. Yeah. Of the offseason. Yeah. In his offseason

where we signed Trey Turner. Take a seat, Trey Turner. Yep, in an offseason where we signed Trey Turner, that's Stram has been this. And I just, I hope it works, but removing him from the rotation

and leaving Falter in there, like, you could have sent Falter down. Yeah, I mean, look, at this point, I think starting Falter is a mistake. Whatever else you're going to do, I think we're at the point where starting Falter feels like a mistake to me right now. I just cannot believe he hasn't learned to change up. Like he's throwing it, but it's not a good thing. Like it's so obvious, you know, Bailey, whatever.

Anyway, he's so obvious. You know, Bailey, whatever. Anyway. He looked good yesterday, but I wonder if there's a little bit of... I'm wondering about Alvarado. I think he's fine. Yeah, but he gave up a hit yesterday, had the outing before where he gave up. The few outings where he's not just come in and struck out three guys and no issues or whatever. He looks tighter. He just looks

a little bit tighter. I hope there's nothing injury related. I hope it's mechanical. There's a little part of me watching and I'm like, I wonder if something's up there. That's another thing. That's an important one to keep an eye on. Keep my eye on that one. I just mentioned the young kids, but obviously they got to kind of turn around. But also, while they've been struggling a little bit here, it feels like the older guys have picked them up.

Yeah, no choice. Like Turner's on a seven-game hitting streak. Yeah, JT's been way better. JT's been great. Castellanos has been great. Harper's been great. Schwarber obviously had been struggling until yesterday, then had the big day yesterday. And that's why this stuff matters, because the young kids were great at the beginning of the year and they kind of stabilized it

and now the older guys are picking up there. That's baseball. That's always baseball. You know, it's always like, we talk about this every year where it's so rare

that all your dudes are not going to be hitting at the exact same time usually. It's like, all right, you're picking us up for a week. You're picking us up for a week. You're picking us up for a week.

All that. Yeah. So, yeah, that's pretty much all I got. We covered everything else in the episode. We covered everything else in the episode.

Covered everything else. Yeah, in the episode. That's good. In the episode that we're recording right now. That just happened. Saturday was tough. I sat there, they lost, I was emotionless. Not a great spot to be in.

Just crushed. Sunday, the fact that they won yesterday, hopefully they stick with the lineup and Blue Jays coming down for two. So desperately. I'm not excited to see this Blue Jays lineup. No, not at all. It's just, no. Nope. Nope. Springer's kind of heating up a little bit. I just feel like

the Blue Jays beat us. I don't know why. It's anecdotal, but I just feel like we're not great against the Blue Jays. No. I mean, they went up that last year and got a boat race. I think it's because I was at that 18-11 game that was 18-4 before it was 18-11,

so that probably adds to it. Probably. God, that was tough. Yeah, well, the Blue Jays, you know. But they had the Veerling win that next game. That was huge.

It did. The Veerling walk-off even 5-5 that game. 5-5, yeah. People forget that. People do forget that. Do they? But there's a lot of

notable Phillies- Blue Jays moments Oh yeah Where Jose Alvarado Or Jose Alvarez Obviously Yes, yes I can't think of any in big games though No

No important ones They've never played in a big game No, never been an important game Who could forget Vinny Velasquez in the COVID year? Oh yeah Couldn't hold a lead late Yeah Added to the list

They were playing in the freaking Buffalo I learned a lot about the Blue Jays I had too many Blue Jays memories From the 2020 year Yeah I'm with you Dunedin, Buffalo And then Girardi vs. Segura Oh goodness

And bad vibes with the Blue Jays For many reasons But The last Philly to have a three home run game No that's not true Before Brad Miller Was Jason Worth against the Blue Jays For many reasons. But the last Philly to hit out of a three-home run game. No, that's not true. Brad Miller did it. Brad Miller. Before Brad Miller was Jason Worth against the Blue Jays.

Oh, okay. Look at that. I think it was. Remember how good. This is just getting so off track. I know. It's all good. Remember how good B.J. Ryan was?

B.J. Ryan. I think one of them was off B.J. Ryan. He was so good for like a two year stretch. He did. He had a couple of years there. Remember BJ Serhoff? Yes, I do. He had a career.

Those Blue Jays tees were. BJ Upton. That's when like Vernon Wells was there. Oh yeah. No, he was with them. And then the Angels, of course, paid him a ton of money. And he was terrible. And then he was terrible.

He's like an all-star in Toronto. And then he's just terrible. Dude, they can't. It's like an all-star in Toronto. And then he's just terrible. Dude, they can't. It's unbelievable. Like, people, players go to die. It's unbelievable. It's ridiculous. It really is amazing.

Like, Rendon. Terrible. Pujols, terrible. Yeah, like, Rendon. Let's just take Rendon. Like, that guy coming off that World Series was one of the best hitters in the sport. Like, in terms of, like, I need a hit right now.

Who am I putting up there? Rendon's on my short list of guys I would put at the plate in the sport. In terms of I need a hit right now, who am I putting up there? Rendon's on my short list of guys I would put at the plate in that spot. Goes to LA, gets hurt, stinks. It is crazy. CJ Wilson. Josh Hamilton. You just go through all the years and it's just like

everyone they sign. It's unbelievable. Cranky I think was pretty good there, but Cranky was there and did nothing. It's just insane. That's, I think, was pretty good there. But Cranky was there and did nothing. Yeah. Like, it's just insane. So that's some good Angels Blue Jays talk. Give the people what they want. Bichette's going to torch us. Bichette's going to torch us.

Are we facing Bassett? I can't watch Bassett. Vlad was hurt yesterday. I know that. He's missed a couple games in a row. Apparently it's not something serious, but maybe get a game or two without Vlad. That would be huge.

That's something. Yeah. Well, yeah. Vladdy's unbelievable. You know, without Vlad. That would be huge. That's something. Yeah. Well, yeah. Vlad is unbelievable. You know, I hope you miss Gaussman. Oh, great. So we got Manoa, which is Nola versus Manoa, which is not fun at all.

Gaussman versus Wheeler. Great. Great. Awesome. This is going well. And that's it. That's a two-game series. Oh, yeah. Two-game series.

So we get both their best pitchers. Yeah. That's good. Perfect. Okay. Go, go, go. That worked out well. They get our best pitchers. Yeah. They sure good. Terrific. Okay. Go, go, go. That worked out well. They get our best pitchers.

Yeah. They sure do. They got us this year. So as we always say, we live for a split. I will take a split. We will take a split. All right. You got any final thoughts before we get out of here, Fritzy?

Just figure it out. Figure it out. How about that? Well said, buddy. Thank you. We could have summed up this whole podcast in three seconds. Figure it out. Figure it out.

He's rid some stuff there. We'll see you next time.