High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - We're Going To Reading!!! (Sorry, James Made Us Record In The Middle Of A Series)

Episode Date: May 1, 2025

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss their optimism for the Phillies following their four-game winning streak and also preview their upcoming trip to Reading to see Aidan Miller. Presented by Miller Lite To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com 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

Are you ready to dive into the story stats and personalities that make baseball the greatest game in the world? Rob Bradford from the Baseballs & Boring Podcast here, and we'll have you covered every day with podcasts that bring you closer to the action. From the bleachers to the clubhouse, whether you're a diehard fan or just a casual observer, these conversations are aimed to educate, entertain, and most importantly, inform you. Follow the Baseballs and Boring podcast in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcast. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes. On the Odyssey app and sports radio 94 WIP. The crowd was singing High Hopes.

Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, high hopes, high hopes. I feel a little less alone. Yo, it is another addition of the high hopes podcast presented by Miller Lite, official partner of the Philadelphia Phillies Tastes Like Miller Time. Philadelphia Celebrate responsibly, Jack.

If you can't see the video, tell everyone you're just holding up. Back, back, back. Unfortunately, the camera makes it look like it's just a blank, I might have to bring a sharp Yeah here you do me that could be the new that could be the new bit No long camera. Yeah There it is

Good handwriting. Yep. Yep That's a thumbnail if I've ever seen one. Oh, it feels like a meme I returned you into a meme the other day. You like that one? Did it become a meme? I posted like three times. Thanks. I'm obsessed with that video. Well be doing the faces Yeah, so for those that we had a headshots and they're like act surprised act angry Yeah, I can't believe that that Broads has already had this much influence on the station. It's pretty ridiculous Is that a Broads thing? Have you seen Broads is YouTube? No. Okay. Well, it's just him going like, oh, gotcha. Gotcha. It's ridiculous. Yeah. Well, now we get to look ridiculous. But now we get to look ridiculous.

Thanks a lot Broads. Well, and it's Tucker's fault because Tucker can't wait to put those. It's all Tucker's fault. I did see Broads' YouTube. I said we have to do this. Yeah, Tucker. Some of those fellows, huh? Is this the Daniel Robert emergency pod or? Daniel Robert seems interesting. I knew you would have a take on Daniel Robert. I looked in one second and saw one video that looked his AAA ERA. I don't know. They might have found it.

Good. Again, they're built. Well, obviously get to the base with a real base. They're building a juggernaut up in up in Lehigh Valley with the iron. I saw someone tweet as I think it was a Philly Sports Talk on Twitter or Philly Talk on Twitter is like they knew they saw this. The twenty one and eight or twenty one and eight. I mean, if you want to talk about Iron Figs baseball and having a feel. Yeah, that's what it is.

And they keep going. You lost me if you want to talk iron picks baseball, but you know, speaking of my only baseball, I might as well get, that's what it is. And they keep going to the last me of it. You want to talk iron picks baseball, but you know, speaking of minor league baseball, I might as well get this one out of the way. I mean, we're going to writing, buddy. It was that size. I was actually for once

I was going to lead with the thing we're doing. We're going to writing. We're going to see this is this is a game to point out. Sure. You know, we're going to go to the show, road to the show. We're going to reading to watch our guy play. It's going to be awesome. We can't wait. May 31st night game six forty forty five.

We're going we're going to have a ticket thing. We're going to put it out. I already know Jack already put it up. I retweeted it. I will put it out to me, a big Twitter guy coming out. We had so much fun last year going to Delaware. This is going to be awesome. And my only baseball is the best.

It's the best. It's the best. So you can get like, you know, way more access closer to the players. Bang for the buck. Listen, tickets are very affordable. Of course, I'm my first baseball game. I found the ticket the other day and my parents, my first game, my first baseball game ever.

No way. I found the ticket in my, uh, you know, the, the room I grew up in and it was a Redding Phillies. Yeah. And my granddad wrote on the back Jack's first baseball game. That is adorably. I think I remember getting a baseball. Wow. So yeah, when you're a kid, you get the baseball so much more when you're talking.

That's a huge deal. So Zoe got a baseball in, in Clearwater. We were down there and she was beside herself with excitement. It's not as... It was the coolest thing. In a sad note, the Blue Jays are now her second favorite team because of Blue Jay gave her the ball. So she was like, oh, I like those guys.

Has she asked you about Joe Carter? Yeah, I was like, that can't be a good one. You can't do that. That can't be your AL team. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, you gotta pick a different one. They really hurt daddy. Yeah, I cried because of it.

12 year old James was in tears. Yep. It's good. That's good. But yeah, it's definitely not as sick going for a, going for a baseball when you're 31. No, it's less. Yeah. Or 43 or 43. And it is, it is a life dream still to get out. Oh yeah. Let's be honest. We all have that dream. So, so I think it's similar. If I could only choose one, which would I rather get? I can't decide if I'd rather get a hole in one or catch a home run slash foul ball. Yeah. So for me, obviously as not a golfer, like it's clearly catch a home run foul ball, though I do acknowledge like if I golfed, I think hole in one should be the answer. I mean,

that's, that's so cool to hit a hole in one. It is. It is. I don't know where I stand. I love that. I love that about you, especially because like a whole like a hole. Well, it has to be a good call. I give a hole in one, let's say, a real hole. It's like that. That's bucket. Yeah. You know what I mean? Now, the other part of it, too, is also the ball in a minor league.

And not agree. And also, like, I don't want to go grab a ball off the ground. Like I got to catch the foul ball or home run for it to count for the real. You know what I want? You know what I want? I want Sutton one in one arm. Oh, I want to be a guy. You want to be you want to be the on Twitter. I look at it. Look at it.

Yeah. And then it's bad. And then and then bring the beat, bring the ball and then jump like a man and then hand the ball to Sutton. Sure. Yeah. And then and then, you know, everyone online says, dad goals. Yeah. Right. That's me. You would be trending. Oh, big deal. Francine, L.A., beside themselves.

Oh, my God. It would be phenomenal. Now, what about catching a home run at the home run derby in twenty twenty six? Now, not as not as good. I mean, I would be fun. It'd be fun. I'm in on it. Like, it'd be cool to have an eye, but it's not the same thing. I think same. Are we going to be sleeping over at this? My God, I want to.

Can I can I put this out there? I know it's a little early for this, but could we be the Shag team? I know. Be on the Shag team. Like, I know. I guess it was pause on that. But you be the Shag team? I know be on the Shag team. Like, I know, I guess it does pause on that. But you know what I mean? We're shagging the fly ball, the balls that don't make it over the fence. You know, it's usually kids that do it. A couple of shagging guys, you know, I do for two.

How cool would that like to be out there? Catch some catch some balls that make it shorter than the fence. Maybe I'll go over the fence. I will. I will will I will knock ten kids Oh, I'm getting me diving and flying around out there kids shouldn't really be out there. It's ridiculous dangerous Think about the kids we're doing this for the kids not for us Which which are you looking most forward to in 2026 the MLB All-Star game? PGA championship World Cup or NCAA tournament.

So you know it's not the the PGA. Dude I don't know man. You know what I mean man. Marion's cool. Don't get me wrong. It's not at Marion. They're both great courses. Just such beautiful places. I know. Play the greatest game. Yeah a gentleman's game. Yeah a gentleman's game. Yeah I'll drink some beers and hang out. I'm most excited for the of course. It's so cool. Like I, I was remember 90 was a 96. It was here. Yeah, I remember it happening, but I don't like have real hardcore memories of I wasn't there for it and all that.

Like I remember like I remember it happening. I remember watching the All-Star game, but I don't have like real memories. I think the funniest thing about the M.I. did the All-Star game at the vet is that they tried to spruce up the vet. I guess. Yeah. All they do is make the seats blue. I know. And it's like, OK, that's the big upgrade. We did. It's like, guess what?

You can't upgrade it. It's just what it is. We fixed it. All right. No rats anymore. So before we get to the fills, which we'll get to May 31st, writing check Twitter's for that. But also next week, May 7th, we're going to be in Drexel. We're going to Casey's. So coming out with us tonight, we're going to go watch the fills. Next Wednesday. I believe it's Wednesday night, right? Yeah. Next Wednesday night. It is May the 7th. We'll be there. Casey's Drexel. We're going to be hanging out. Our next watch party coming out. Oh, we're going to be hanging out our next watch party coming out. BG Live Monday, dude.

Casey's Wednesday, truest championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club on Thursday. Oh, yeah. You know that? Yeah. Well, no. Yeah. We're doing the show from there. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. Come on, man. This is amazing. Are you going to Phoenix over that set so so close to you comparatively? Well, it's not that technically 30 minutes from. Yeah, it's I will not be going to be live live that is too late for your boy. Yeah, no.

We're doing the show from a place. I got it. You're talking about where the God Yes, yes, yes, yes. Tucker's hometown, by the way, speaking of homecoming for me. Yeah, it would have been sweet if he has wedding there. Yeah. Well, hold on. We got to go to the Long Beach Island. Yeah. For his doctor's wedding, basically like two countries away. It is a wedding. Unbelievable. Oh, I'm from here. OK, sure. It seems like you're from North Jersey. Well, don't say Mary from there.

Yeah, that's her hometown. OK. It was, you know, I really like the venue. And it's a little far away. Is there a Friday wedding or Saturday? Saturday. At least that's. Thank God. We should do one thing right. Yeah. Friday weddings are out of control. It's ridiculous. Yeah. And honestly, nothing

worse than a Sunday wedding. Well, Sunday wedding shouldn't exist. Yeah. What are we doing? I agree. It's nonsense. Not a Sunday wedding. I'm sorry. Yeah. I mean, yeah. Now, there are some religious reasons for Sunday weddings. Sure. I get it. You know, we're all trying to save money. I get it. So true, buddy. So true. By the way, very professional of us getting all the plugs out early. I can't believe it. I plug the book to ring the bell book. So I finished. I just did like a joke.

So I, by the way, I'm doing a book signing with Joe Conklin. No, July 12th. What book does Joe Conklin? Well, he's doing a stand up thing. OK, that makes more sense. It's like a Joe Conklin book. It would be what are we writing here? I don't know if he can write. I think. Yeah, you might not be able to read or write. I think it would just be an audio, an audio book.

Just him making noises. Exactly. No. So, yeah, the other day, yesterday morning, I was downstairs at like, 6am because I didn't get the all my edits in all the citations and where I got information. Oh, you're sure you're sourcing your your knowledge. Unfortunately, yeah, nothing worse than that. I had to write a 40 I had to write a 40 page lit review in grad school, which was basically like, the way they phrase it is no thought in this paper can be your own. And you have to basically take all these things and put them together in right in your voice. But no thought can be your own. It was the worst

paper I've ever had to write. Yeah. So I was kept wanting to write like, trust me, bro. You know, I got it. I promise. Source my brain. I got it. Yeah. No. So it's not like all source like certain quotes. That's how to go back to the inquire article that I read, whatever. So it took me about two weeks to do. And... We're back on track. I thought I lost it.

Like I thought for about five minutes, I tried to refresh the screen. Oh, you actually thought you lost your corrections. I thought I was all gone. I thought I was 100% all gone. It was a long five minutes. What were you like in those five minutes? Not well.

Walkers like, hey, you know, it's funny is though I can imagine like you and me, the difference between us in those five minutes, like I'm sure you were upset and whatever. Like I would have like I might have gotten divorced in those five minutes. I would have been so angry. So like I've been freaking out to such a level that Emily would have been like, I can't stay with you. You've embarrassed yourself so, so badly in these five minutes that it's over. And thankfully, once I got the initial freak out and I was like, well, this might work. Yeah. I found that I found the cloud and the clothes in the cloud.

It was in the cloud and it's all fine. You're only 31. No, no, no. Be much better. I'm anti-com. I'm mostly anti-club. I'm with you, that's a standalone. No, no. You should be much better at this. I'm anti-club. I mean, I'm mostly anti-club. I'm with you, but I'm 43. Although I don't like, I'm pretty over storage in general.

Yeah. I'm a sick of storage space filling up. How's it filling up? Yeah. Just make more. It's fake, right? Like, we're making this as we go. Yeah.

It's like when people say AI uses a bunch of like You know the power or whatever. It's like where? You know what I mean? Computing power again, but it's all the I don't even want to bother. Yeah Brick and mortar guys. Yeah, we're not being like server farm guys Server farms I'm pretty sure how that stuff works. Server farms, I think that's how it works. I'm pretty sure. Whatever that means. Server. The films!

So, 17 and 13? Not horrible? No, well you would think with listening to everyone, they're 13 and 17. So where you at? How you feel about the film? I feel... I'm conflicted. I think the word is conflicted. Sure. I think that's where a lot of people are.

I think that, I think they're good. 100% good. They're good. They're not bad. There's real, there's real flaws that could perk up, you know, and when you don't want to. Could be an issue, yes.

The bullpen could be a flaw. Bullpen, don't. Four perfect things last night. I know, but when you don't want to be an issue, yes, the bullpen could be a flaw. Bullpen don't for perfect things last night. I know. But what a miracle. It's like, wow, they actually threw four shutout innings in a night. It was all of our high leverage guys. I made it so much more encouraging. So we get doubts. Yeah, I just. They're not as good as I had hoped.

They're good. They're not as good as I hoped.. Like they're good. They're not as good as I hoped. They they could have lost two nights ago, but they really didn't deserve to lose that game either. They should have won that game. I mean, Trey Turner is not the shortstop. They win that game without any issues. But here, let's let's focus on a guy that with the boobings. I think, you know, there's not much to say about we know they need to.

The guy that I'm most concerned about right now is a rinker. Because I felt like he was I thought we had three dudes. I got I was like, I feel really good about Alvarado. I feel really good about strong and I feel really good about Kirk. I don't feel really good about a Ryan Kirk right now. I'm concerned when this stuff just hasn't popped the same way this season. And on top of that, like, I don't know if it's. Well, look, if you go back to the playoffs, like, I don't know if it's a stuff issue. Well, look,

if you go back to the playoffs, like we've kind of excused it because he was young and all, but he didn't he has not gotten big outs in the playoffs and this year he's been human. Yeah. So I think it's so funny, by the way. And I I'm with you. It's just so funny how opinions in the bullpen change seemingly every week. Of course, last week I took a call on this after after the game that he blew. Whatever they have in Manu. No, the current game, the game they probably want.

One that the load. Yeah. And he was like, I just don't understand how you don't put Romano in that situation. What's not like, hold on, man. No, we could go over Manu. Romano needs to be cut. People wanted him cut. Like it wasn't even just like, ah, you know, give him some low leverage innings.

We were like, get him off my teeth. I know. And I said, I said, are we, I hear you. I get it. But now I just, I think it's funny that the fluctuation people go through with bullpen arms. Agreed. So with Kirkering, I think it's mostly confidence things I think his stuff is fine the

one thing that that I that becomes more and more clear the more you watch him is he really I don't I don't know how he gets lefties out I think he gets lefties out almost by accident more than on purpose I think against righties he's fine that he can run the two seamer in on his hands when they want, that sweeper away is a hard pitch. I don't know what the plan is the lefties, because he's not confident enough to throw inside against lefties, so he just tries to pepper the outside corner with both the sweeper and the two seamer, and then when he misses, it ends up in a nitrogen zone. It just hangs over the middle of the plate and they just crush it. It's a little bit like Nola with him, where he, when he gets into pressure situations,

he starts going over and over and over again with the, with with the sweeper and that's when the sweeper gets smoked The thing that I continue to believe with him is like he he needs a third pitch and I and I think you should learn A cutter like I think a cutter in the lefties just changes his entire Absolutely. So listen, I think I think we've talked about it. He's the fourth He should be the fourth best arm on a really good bullpen. He's being put into high lever spots. I'm not sure he's a high leverage arm.

Like I think- I don't know if he is. I think he's more like a six inning guy. Maybe, maybe. Yeah, I mean, I think- Maybe a seven inning guy. Yeah, I think he's a later arm, but I think there has to be three guys

better than him in a bullpen. I agree with you. He was fine last year. Last year there was no problems with the Ryan Kirk. But they needed him to take a step forward. And the playoff stuff is real. I mean the Dimeback series, sure he went five levels that year so you can chalk it up to that. He also wasn't good last year. Yeah he wasn't. So again, might be, might be lights are a little too bright and maybe as he gets older, you know, he's still what, 24, 25? He's still young. Yeah. So as he gets older, maybe it's something he can develop.

You know, Madsen, I mean, Madsen was never he couldn't close. I mean, until 2011, there was real. I mean, hey, you're right. There's this dubie quote in the book where where they ask him because Madsen was annoyed in 2011 is his walk year and they opened the season and they made Contreras the closer and Madsen was obviously pissed about it because he hired Scott Boris at all. in his walk year and they opened the season and they made Contreras the closer and Madsen was obviously pissed about it because he's he hired Scott Boris that all season. He wanted a big contract and

And they asked to be about it and he's like Ryan that's his Ryan Madsen Did he take a crash course on learning how to close like it was? Insane, I couldn't imagine you imagine if they said that today We would talk at it for six months. Oh But hey, look, can we bring that dude we go back guys? I know it's been five months, but I think I got to talk about it Did you take a crash course learning how to close so he just he just might not be What we hoped for from the standpoint of throwing late and possibly being a closer here Not everyone's built the clothes.

We talk about how the night and we've talked about many times. I think Romano developing is really important, you know, because if he can get back to being the guy that he was in twenty one through twenty three, well, that changes the entire then you can put Kirk Green maybe in a lower spot. And I was glad they blew it open late last night. Great. I was interested to see what Romano looked like again, because I thought Sunday night he looked awesome. Right. I was glad they blew it open late last night. Great. I was interested to see what Romano looked like again, because I thought Sunday night he looked awesome. Right. I was his best.

I know you're storming around the airport. I don't know if you saw it. Yeah, no, I was in the airport. Yeah. So actually, I was watching the airport for the Romano thing. I watched it on my phone as I was walking to get to my car because it was like like 11 a night or 1030 or whatever it was. It's like 11 something like that. Yeah. Nice. Was I was trying to find my car in the parking once I was home.

Just stress free. It was unbelievable. It was beautiful. So yeah. And again, it's a good team. That's you know, because I do think you can look the conflicted thing. I think there's a lot of people on both sides right now with this team. I think there's probably more people being negative than positive, but

people are, you know, it's turning a little bit. But I do think that one of the things that you'll hear on the negative side and I think it's a fair comment is that they, you know, they've got what? Ten other wins against teams under five hundred. They haven't they haven't been awesome against good teams. The Cubs series was good and seeing Romano in that spot. Yeah, well, and and what's the I don't think unfair is the right word, but walk with me here is Walker friends with you is like last year had they won that game two nights ago

It's like wow, they just found a way to do it again. You're right and and now We're sitting here and it's 17 and 13. I think it's our best start since oh six, which is unbelievable What a what a year what by the way not to make this about the book either? the because you haven't done that yet this body the the the staff that Gillick gave the oh six Phillies is It's horrible. Like a oh like that offense was ridiculous. It was Ryan Howard. It was Ryan Howard I was Howard obviously ugly was ridiculous that year Rollins was ridiculous that year. The 06 starting rotation was a Travis, an absolute Travis. So that wasn't Hellexon yet, right?

He was later. No, Jeremy Hellexon. Yeah, he was way like 15 16. Yeah, I'm just trying to go back to my starter. So Randy Wolf would have been on the. So it was it was the Myers had a three nine one. He was the ace. Then they went Lieber at a five year. the year so wow all right I didn't go up to make about the 06 Phillies but that please don't have pitching staff was atrocious I don't we how did we give

them that yeah but yeah I just it's almost just nothing they can do I don't know if there's anything they can do in the regular season that's gonna make the negative side start believe that they'd have to go they'd have to go on a real run like win 20 of 25 and be even if they do that, people are going to say, you cares like waking up and I, I, I think it, I think there will be those people who say who cares. But I think if they went on a real run, I do think a portion of the people who are negative would come over to the pond.

Sure. Mom's dad's. Are you the parent of a student athlete? Do you want to know how to get the most out of youth sports? So listen to the next pitch podcast to give you the tools to raise an aspiring athlete. It's not simple, but we talk straight and give you the best insight there is when it comes to youth sports. We'll cover everything from nutrition and training to mental toughness and teamwork. It's a podcast you can listen to together with your kids so everyone can benefit.

Follow Next Pitch on the Odyssey app or wherever you listen to podcasts. I guess my thing is, is I don't know what I'm supposed to be hanging my hat on from the standpoint of like, what do I believe is gonna really change? You know, I think offensively, obviously Scott's done a really good job. I think him getting back to 23 Stott is massive. Trey, I think at the plate, certainly not.

I mean, Trey's coming along, but it's still. Yes, but it's slap-hitter. It's not. I mean, he is still, it's May 1st, his OVP is higher than his slugging. Is that not what you want? Not what you want. And it's hard to do. With it hitting as much as he has.

I mean, Bank 282, somehow his slugging is lower than his. So like I'm with you, Trey has not been a disaster, but he's not giving them elite and I still think like he's by the way, in case you're running, Johan Ross does have more home runs in. Just yeah, he does. He does. He does. I think it's me. I promise and Homer, but he asked me when I play it. He asked me the only player in baseball That is six foot five. Oh, I I think yeah, that is that has walked three or less times and has no home run I'll bet you I'll get you late appearances

Yeah, i'll bet you like per homer per plate appearance over his career Like he's got to be among the lowest six or five hitters of all time. Like how would like what are we doing here? It's quite something. It's quite something. And and and Trey is still the biggest swing guy. Like if he can try to be like a star, Bryce is obviously. So yeah, I don't know. What do you make of because look, I think we all think Bryce will play better. I don't think that this is right.

You don't need to know you're hitting to 30. I don't. I don't. What do you make get the body language. What do you make of the I mean, he's been a real bummer to watch on a nightly basis for the last few weeks. Like he's just like he's been good defensively credit there. Like he's their only plus defender right now by the metrics. Oh, I didn't know that, but he's been great.

Like he has he's done it. But it's just like he's just so like bummed and angry and like just not Happy out there not having good time playing baseball, you know, and yeah Well, listen, I was a lot of pressure on him and all that but like You're the leader of the team man. Well, I supposed to be I think the I think the biggest thing that Bryce has to like remember I guess is is you know, I think the biggest thing that Bryce has to like remember, I guess, is, is, you know, I think about the, my quarterback, I think about Jaylen all the time.

What a winner. Unbelievable. Just he's back at work. He's here. He's working out already. Oh, an athlete's working out crazy. But he's here for the program. Oh, wow.

Yeah. Crazy. To lead the way. Oh, so lucky. He's so, oh, we're so blessed. We are. Oh, man. Blessed is a good word. What a what a hashtag blessed. What a time. Prove it. You're anyway. Most ridiculous things.

Anyway, there's no context. There is. Okay, great. But um, but uh, but like what he's the whole quote he talked about with I need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer or whatever. Like Bryce has to be the thermostat. Oh, this is great. Quote J. LeMore. I mean, he does.

But he's right. He's dead right. Yes. Like, like whether whether Bryce, but at the same time, he's had the mopeyness before. It's not the only yes, but whether Bryce wants it or not, like he's the leader of the team, like the guys look to him, the guys will will react and act based on what he does and how he does things, whether he likes it or not. Like, that's the role you have, buddy.

Like you're you're the guy, just like Jalen is the guy and Jalen embraces it. And Jalen puts his hat, puts his head down and goes to work. You know, I want to see Bryce put his head down. I'm not doing this anymore. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not.

I'm not. Yeah, yeah, yeah. All him. Supermobile, maybe? Yeah, he's amazing. Yeah. But, yeah. There's nothing more.

It's just like everyone's pranking me. I really do. Anyway, but no, with price like that's where We appreciate the the workmen like, you know attitude heading into the year But when they look like they're having no fun and it's so serious all the time That's that was always gonna be the other side of it of of being so serious all the time is Creating a tight clubhouse and I think that when he's not going right and he's not then I think it creates even more tightness so yeah I just he's got to

find a way to figure it out and even when he's going bad look like he's having some some fun out there but we've seen him do this over the last couple of years. My bigger concern is like, I just, I hope the backs are right. Like I will continue to be worried about the back, you know, look, he's 32 now, 31 or 32. Like he's 14 years in baseball. I mean, and the, and the, obviously the violence swing and the, the banged up at the end of last year, he throws his body around, like whether it was in right field or first base or whatever.

Like he just he plays hard like we've seen like what was it? The first game back after the arm thing is the first base and he falls into the dugout. Like he's just he's never he's not able when he's out there to not like defensively to not throw his body around. He's going to get like he's beat himself up. Yeah. So that's always my, my big fear with him. And I did think it was notable. I think that Taryn said last night that he was working with Kevin Long on like a drill or whatever to get him on fire.

So, well, here's, here's where I think where I think it's notable is I don't know if Bryce has always been like working on stuff. Well, talk to the hitting coach kind of guy. Yeah. Because I know better. No, I think he just has his routine. if I'm a hitting coach like you're Bryce Harper Yeah, what am I gonna tell you buddy? You know, you got it. That's fine So I think it's notable that they're at least maybe trying something different

So he did have a nice double last night, which is gonna say yeah, he's also he's but he's just missed a couple home runs At the same time. I don't know like a Look around like movie sitting 230 something as well, which is now he lost 25 pounds Apparently even though it looks kind of the same time. I don't know. I look around like Mookie sitting 230 something as well, which is I lost 25 pounds. Apparently, even though it looks kind of the same. Fine. Yeah. 25 pounds. It's different. But yeah, I don't know. I it's more I'm not going to freak out about Bryce until it's more prolonged. I'll give I totally agree.

I'll give him a rough two week stretch. It happens all the time in baseball. So if we look up in July and he's hitting 230 something then I think it's well, what are we doing here? But I mean Stoneman put it out he he Before I think the Nationals gave me the night. I mean, oh Cassie honest is a higher OPS I saw you know in the last 97 games and that's that's I can't happen No, no, I can't have no and look, I expect Bryce to be better. I'm not I'm not super concerned about it. I'm more and I know we've seen a movie before,

but I'm just I'm getting tired of the movie Ness when he's struggling. Like I just am like I'm getting to the point where it's like, like, this team needs more for me, Bryce, like you whether you want to be the top leader guy or not, like you are, it's what it is, it comes inherent with your abilities with who you are as a player with who you are as a person without famous who are all That like I just I need him to delete. I need him to lead and we're not in the club house I'm not saying isn't all that but I the mopeyness and you know We can't rip out bone for it all the time and then not keep it a hundred You know like we can't do not do the same thing when Harper's acting that way, too. You know. All right. Pitching.

I thought Aaron Nola's best start of the season in Chicago. I didn't get to I didn't get to see a ton of it. I'm you know, I saw like the highlights and obviously we did. But look, he had one other good start. You want to what do you make in Nola on Sunday? Yeah, he so it was the most I seen throw in throw his cutter, which I thought was I think I think I mentioned this on the solo pod. Why? It's like file final. Oh, the solo pod you did.

I forgot you did this whole time through the Elliott daily podcast. Elliott's machine. Elliott is a machine. Yeah, like pumps it out. Now, to be fair, now to be fair, we have full time jobs, you know, where it's all of gala vanting around and just, you know, going to some reporter stuff. So, you know, exactly. And no kids. So honestly, that is the biggest one. It changes your whole.

He really has no excuse. So I take back the credit. So I take it back. But yeah, I just thought that he might have developed a new plan for Reddy's, which I thought was interesting. The cutter on the outside corner coupled with the back door two seamer was something that I thought was really interesting because he's never been able to really locate the cutter that way. But again, it's something to get people off the barrel. And the biggest thing he did is he didn't just get into a rhythm where he's just going to throw the knuckle curve over and over and over again, because

when he does that, that's when it gets launched, you know, because he's going to eventually hang one and, and they just don't seem to miss it when he, it's unbelievable. When no one has ever had his hanging bitch hit at a higher rate than the air, no lights. Unbelievable. Yeah. So make a mistake. They're gonna hit it.

He was down. He was down the whole night. Cutter was down curve balls down when he went up, he went up and out of the zone to change an eye level. Um, so yeah, it was, it was really encouraging. I want to see him do it again. is They do say that it's it's the tunnels tough. It's the same arm slot same kind of speed Lincoln tunnel I'm into the tough tunnel. They're both breaking about this much. They're both breaking about six inches One's going the left and one's going to write it's a hard thing to know what to swing at when they look the same out of hand, so I don't know. I thought I thought it was encouraging once in the next art also encouraging that Chris Sanchez was

Next question Sanji coming off the forearm thing would you think is tight? I mean, I think that as he didn't look like himself, no, no, no, no. And I think that once he gets more into a rhythm would be fine. I think that he had the extra time off and, and that, like, I just think that he has looked a little rusty. But I think what was most important was that the velocity is back up. And he, he probably probably go on another innings only 85 pitches when they pulled him I was kind of surprised they didn't let him go out there for the six and at least start the

inning so Yeah, I don't know. It's all about the next star for Sanchez rather than last night and last night He looked healthy. All right, two more things. Let me get big bag one Speaking of pitching. Mm-hmm Ranger Ranger back on Sunday your thoughts? Well, I'm very curious from a couple angles. What I assume they go six man and then keep Wheeler on his on his normal. Scars. That would be my guess. I think that's what at least at first, I think Taiwan will be taken out. And then I wonder who they send down from the pen.

I mean, I think it's going to be either Banks or Carlos Hernandez or the day to put on. Well, they can send banks. And I believe he saw those banks have options. I believe he saw that. So they'll probably do whoever has options. But Banks has been better and I know you hate hearing that you hate it. But he's been better. He was good last night. Banks is getting out. I hate it. But the guy's getting out. he's been good this year. He's doing his numbers wise. He's done Okay, he's doing a very good 2022 bread and impression out. Yeah, he gets out. He gets out. It's hard to see he I tell you what when he got a 94 on the outside corner to John's wood last night I was wow, maybe I was wrong

He wasn't even I didn't even dress draft. By the way, none of us, neither one of us, because I don't think Tucker had him on the draft. Neither one of us took Rojas. Rojas wasn't even. Oh my God, for real? I don't think he was even on the original list. And he's a star. So that was so funny, because I said two things.

One was that, the other was about Rojas. Can you keep hitting? That was so funny, bring that up, because that was I said two things. One was that what the other was about Rojas might like. Can you keep hitting? Well, and like when you watch him, like, you notice a difference in the approach that is led to that, or is he just kind of seeing the ball better? I just kind of I think the game is probably slowing down from the plate. I mean, we know he's here for his bat, not his glove.

Obviously, yeah. We said that for years. The guy doesn't know how to take a route to a ball. I'm just saying, oh, the here we go. The James Wood ball off of Kirkland the other night. I totally agree. It's the hardest play for a center fielder. That it that was a real that was a shot. It was small. Yeah.

And it was like right out. Yeah. And it was like levitating as we kept going up and falling in the down. Like it was like that was a really hard thing. I've seen great centerfielders. I agree. I think that was unfair. The one the other one. Sure. I think the LA three innings to get over it. I don't think he's over it. I don't think he's over it.

Do the first call we had yesterday said that he reminds him of a young Willie Mays. No, no, no, a young Willie Mays. No And I looked up Willie Mays is age 23 season I believe when he had 51 home It's like wow This is what you see. It's awesome. You know, well, it is pretty good, you know they will he may say but Yeah, I think I'd still take Willie Mays. He's over here on. Yeah, I'm mostly encouraged. I am.

I think that I was. I was over the moon when he hit now, Bum to his not to his credit, like Bum should have been thrown out on the news out. He was out by three. That was the fact that Rojas put the ball into the field, his job into into right field. So out like it catches didn't catch it like I know. So I think he's he certainly found a way better ability to to make hard contact. And the whole room was to be in a dead center.

You know, and it wasn't off the position. No, it was like a real, he had a real major league home. Yeah. So I think that you think Alec Brown was like, wait, man, what was that like? That look great. Does that guy do that? So, but yeah, I think, I think he's, I think he's developing pretty nicely. I think he's developing pretty nicely.

I don't think we ever need to get too ahead of ourselves, you know hitting wise the chase I think has been better there's still times where I think he takes too big of a swing for no reason but You know, that's kind of that's the game now. So it kind of is what it is, but I think that Yeah, I know he I think he struck out three times the other night But I I feel like strikeout wise it's come down a little bit I think he's gonna he's doing a good job of putting the bat on the baseball There's gonna be some mental lapses. Obviously the bun thing stuff is I mean on Sunday

What are you doing? It was it was something but if you're taking him for what he is Which is your your nine hole hitter that for the most part is gonna play good defense He's gonna have some some mental errors out there sure He's fine. He's fine. He's fine. And I just continue to wonder about, you know, Marsh coming back. What do they do there? Do they put them right back in there and Marsh is getting more of the games even in like, or I don't know how you could do that now.

Like I just let Rojas, I mean, Rojas should play more than March right now, which is a shocking, unbelievable. And it's not like you can put March in left because you don't disagree. Right. Like you would, I would, yeah, I would probably, well, yeah, I would probably go. If they play six times in a week, I'd probably go. I was going to say like two, two thirds for road. That's exactly what just two thirds.

Exactly what I was going to say. And it's like, and Kepler has been heating up for real. Like Kepler's been fine. Have you been okay? He's he's for your seven and it's all 260 with three home run. Yeah. Yeah. And and I think he still works pretty good. There's there's some good signs offensively. Obviously, obviously, again, Turner, we need more impact.

But at least not yet. He's back to 82. At least he's not trying to just launch baseball. That's when he gets into it. I think maybe here's my hope. He's not swinging missing all the time. Here's my hope. It's when he gets into it. I think maybe here's my hope with him. He's not swinging, missing all the time. Here's my hope with Trey is that he's, he's figuring out back to baseball stuff now. And then as the summer comes around and he gets more comfortable, then he starts to lift more and you see more of the power coming and hopefully it's not

at the detriment of still being able to hit. And I think the one thing that's happening with Trey, and I mentioned this a couple of times is he is there's a way better to strike approach with him like he's not doing a big leg kick with two strikes yeah he's doing a little toe tap I think that's keeping him more level his head's not moving around all the time so encouraging their Schwab er the fact that he's had two home runs out of the the protecting Harper spot I and clean up it's protecting Harper yeah it was three hole. Yeah, three hole or whatever

You're seeing some signs there Cassie. Honest. We know what he's gonna be hot and cold. He's currently going through a cold street Harper's obviously big one. We know that but like Kepler is coming along Roas coming along JT good to see the home run last night not totally buying it now and boom is and boom were slap it and all of I guess We're just waiting right we're waiting for the Alec foam heat up. I had no idea. So I think you're seeing some signs offensively, but also some some big old question marks. And it sure would look better if Bryce was if Bryce can get one of those classic price. I should bring this up before take back. I said two things by a lot. I don't know that

there's much to say about it because we've talked about it many times, but the trade defense, any like new thoughts? He's just bad. He's just not an actual shortstop. He's just bad. He does not have shortstop instinct. No, he doesn't. He really did. I think the instincts thing is kind of what I underrated the most. Like he does. He really doesn't have the instincts. I mean, that play not like I mean, not like I or just sped up, it's sped up on it. It did. But like, the very first thing my dad taught me when I started playing baseball, and I'm pretty sure most people get taught this first, is when you're in the field, know what you're going to do in every situation, just the ball, wherever the ball is hit, know what you're supposed to do in that situation. And it doesn't feel like Trey always knows what he's gonna do in a

situation when the balls hit to him and that for a Major League player to me is is is crazy yes so I think that I think he's gonna he's just gonna he's gonna be in left field eventually and we just have to wait it out we just have to wait it out they're not making the movement. It's not happening this year. Like all the people calling the WAPA, move me. Like it's not happening. Like there is a zero percent chance that it happens this year. Like let's move on. I just think you're wasting your breath. I agree. You're wasting your breath. So again, it's a it feels like a coin flip when the balls hit his way and we'll see how it goes.

So he doesn't miss one in a big spot. And also like I don't really want to put stop there because I think you're moving a plus. Oh, I totally agree with you. That's been so great at second base. Like, just let him play second base. And hopefully, hopefully Aiden comes up and is ready to play majorly shortstop. I mean, he's got to get going at double A. Well, it looks like he's got two positions he could play. I mean, there's a potential opening for in the majors because, yeah,

I'll go and probably not long term. Yeah, we'll see. You know, the highest war amongst the third baseman right now in the majors. Yeah. It's a good question. It's pregnant. Oh, that makes sense. Yeah, of course.

It's great. Yeah. Yeah. Soon is going to be no, no, no, LV Marte. Nick Marte might pick him up. What a stud that dude is. For real, though. Did you see the Aaron Judge thing in his last 101 games? No. Five oh five on base. Nice. Last 100 little bonds, dude. Like, seriously, like, that's what it feels like.

I fight for over 100 games. 50% of the time you're on base. on think everyone else is definitely I definitely overdid it. You got mad at me when I drive the you're welcome. No, no, no. You're welcome. I'm saving your team from having it. Now I've decided to keep him to drop me. It's been a really disappointing thing. He is among my bigger disappointments. No, it's a big air base. Yeah, no, it's a big mess because he was like one guy. No, he's the guy. He's the face of the Fritz.

The face of the Fritz. If I was sending out the Fritz list with the picture, it was gotten. Yeah. So and by the way, in in Pat, like I this is the I've been doing that is the fourth or fifth year for the Fritz list with the picture. It was gotten. Yeah. So. And by the way, in, in Pat, like I, this is the, I've been doing, this is the fourth or fifth year for the Fritz list for me. And it's a fifth, whatever. This is the first time your top guy has done this. Like, like usually top guys, awesome. If nothing else, they're good. Like this is the first time your top guy is like not doing it, failing us. You know, it's so funny about spring training. it failing us you know it's so funny about spring training some stuff definitely matters

but it does no no no no no this is not a shelter victory laugh this is not a shelter victory laugh because casey mize was ridiculous in spring training and translated over spencer torleson was ridiculous to make training and carry it over it so accounts for the tigers so well i guess so i have no idea i have no idea sometimes spring training really matters sometimes it doesn't but I'm glad least Still care about what they do in spring training. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't it's fastball sucks. That's the biggest issue That seems to be an issue for pitchers Jackson Joves, by the way, so Just throwing that out. Yeah, there's a bit right any whips on that. Yeah, so So we're worried about the Gavin Williams. We are. Everyone else has been mostly.

Yeah. Everyone else has been mostly. Not a Gavin Williams fan. Is I'm I'm beyond curious. Yeah, I really don't like the on. Here is and I can't drop him. I took him. Oh, speaking of. Well, by the way, Pavetta, we've been great. Not enough talk about.

I thought the Rosa real quick. No, I know. Tucker, you've heard this many times. I'll bring up his guy. He's like, you know, it's over. I did it. I want to we're good. We don't need to talk about any of any more. Like, I don't need to bring it up. And now here we are. Well, you want to know why? Sure. I was back into the corner with Gavin Williams. And I had to fight my way out. And I went with Pavetta. Good. Yeah, it was fair. Gavin Williams will be eventually good. Currently not good. And I did see DeRose say the other day, like that Pavetta's fastball disappears on hitters. I saw that too. Yeah. This is disgusting. Yeah. Could have been else. Mark DeRose is really, you know, carved down a nice little niche for himself.

I love DeRose on TV. I really wish he wasn't coaching team. Yeah, same. He was not good. Yeah. The last tournament. So official statement on the Mets. Ooh, they're good. They're good. Good.

But they're picking too early. Oh, I like this. Yeah. Flip the years last year, this year, little too, little too magical early with I like this little too mad. I mean that you saw that defensive inning. Yeah.

I mean, you know, any time you're getting the bounce off the third baseman's foot right to the shortstop to throw at it first, like, come on. I see a lot about, oh, the vibes at city field right now. I just you're still the Mets. Yeah, I like this. Remember, you're really like what you're doing here. I just fully support. You're getting a little little ahead of yourself a little this. Remember, you're really like what you're doing here. I just fully support that. You're getting a little little ahead of yourselves a little bit.

You can't win the penitent April. It's true. So I think they're having a little bit of April parades right now. Yeah. And that pitching is not going to hold up right. I don't know, man. Sterns might just they might have just figured it out. It might just be the big brewers. I don't know. It's true with the bro. Yeah, it's a good point. And think about that. Yeah. I mean, and like Cody Sanga is actually good. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, I don't know. That's kind of all I have. I do. Everything else was talked about. I hate that Francisco Lindor is always I love that guy. I really do. Like, I really enjoy watching him play baseball and it sucks. Soxities of Matt. Yeah. yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's all right. It's OK.

That's magic. You're you're peaking. We got Trey. We got Trey. Forth hit North Wanderers last time. You are the best, by the way, at finding those like for three games, he's batting 396. Well, don't worry.

I picked it right at the four or five game against the Marlins. There's a good one day. I I just watched Bad News Bears for the first time, which I read the original one. See, I like the the read. That's the worst take. I love the remake. The remake is it's basically shot for shot and it's not as good. It's just not as funny.

And it's got not as like, ah, you ever watch Bench Warmer? Especially for someone who's like, you know, not necessarily Mr. PC. I mean, the old one is they drink, the kids are drinking. I've never watched it. I don't know. You've never seen it. No. Oh, my God. I never seen the natural either. Dude, watch the original bad news. It's great.

It is a great, great, great movie. Well, the manager is like Thompson, right? Walter Mathau. Yeah, it looks just like Thompson. A little bit. That's why I've never seen it. It's so great. It's so much Billy Bob Thornton. The remake is nowhere in the hemisphere of the original. They're not even comparable.

Did you watch Benchwormers? I've seen Benchwormers. They're entertaining. It was a very 15 year old Jack. The natural I think is slightly overrated. I'm not huge. And their camera allows it. But the bad news bears.

All right. One of these one of these days. Yeah. The reason I brought up is at one point, Kelly Leake is trying to hit on a girl and he's like, oh, yeah, I play for the Bears and batting 841 this season. Nice. So good. Nice. It's a good line. It's a good line.

But Kelly Leake, the greatest fiction. Last time, actually up there in the discussion I mean for a 14 year old or whatever, but yeah over Rocky to one five five Oh way over rock Kelly leak way more talented than rock. I mean, I'm good now Paulo different discussion I was pretty talented, you know, he was better in happy Gilmore Carl Weathers, it's a good take to one. I don't think I can go there, but it's a good take. He's great as jobs. I like that. So we're done. We're done. I want to start talking movies. Yeah, you're out. I'm in. I'm like movie talk. Again, May 7th, Casey's at Drexel Hill. Come

hang out. We'll talk more about over the weekend, the pod and all that. But that's next Wednesday. We'll be there. It's gonna be awesome. And then May 31st, reading, it's a family affair. I'm going to bring Emily and Zoe. I'm assuming you're bringing the kids and the fam. It's going to be awesome. We're going to have so much fun coming out with us. And last thing I would like to apologize. Nice about that. I'm really sorry we had to do this mid-series. Yeah. Yeah, I know you hate it so much.

And I have a game tonight. I'm in for Joe tomorrow. So I'm going to be an AC. I'm not I can't come straight back. I had a couple of errands from back. I wouldn't get a free to show. I want to make sure we did it. So I did. I know much you hated this. I did want to thank you. Thank you. I really I mean it. Okay, we'll talk to you later.