High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Why Did the Rest of the NL East Let This Happen?

Episode Date: May 20, 2019

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are back on a positive note! The guys react to the monster weekend for the Phils, what they were impressed with and more! They also preview the Cubs series and more.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. 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

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Yo, it is another edition of the High Hopes Podcast. Jack, a happy edition. How about it, man? happy how about it man we're back we're back we're back last last i was gonna say friday was it friday it's friday yeah we just talked about how i'm all screwed up on days literally just talked about it 30 seconds ago every time i'm gonna say a day i stop and think now yeah i'm all screwed up i know that pod sucked this pod shouldn't no and and let me just let me just get us out of the way right now you know john stark's talent is being wasted at the night watch a lot like nick pivetta and triple a i like that you went john stark huh john snow he's just he's well he's not okay gotta get your game of thrones comp no i did

i did it was a good one it was a good good one. Nick Pavetta's being wasted triple A. Jon Snow's being wasted with the Night's Watch. It's all good. And, you know, James, I want to start this podcast off on a serious note. Like, did the rest of the NL East really let the Phillies get hot with, like, say in first place with Nola not being Nola and Bryce Harper not being able to hit. I think they did, Jack. I just feel bad.

Like, I just feel bad. Like, the rest of the NLEs, what are you doing? Like, are you just gift wrapping this to us? I think that's what they're doing. I mean, the Mets certainly are. Why Mickey Calloway still has a job is... It's unbelievable. And they're saying they're not going to fire him

What? Guess what by the Marlins I mean they've been a dumpster fire Since the moment that guy took over I would extend him If I was running the Mets I would extend him as long as possible I would extend Davey Martinez too

Right now I would extend him Cisco we got a division full of some pretty horrendous managers It's almost like the NFC East. I think Snicker's okay. You are less a Snicker fan than I am. I think he's fine. And I actually think Don Mattingly's a pretty good manager. It's just a horrendous baseball team that he's out there with.

I guess so. Honestly, I just feel bad. It's fair. I mean, Noel is just rolling out of bed, struck out 12. Harper, has that ball landed yet? No. I don't know. It hasn't.

It's still going. Here's the thing. I don't feel It hasn't It's still going You know Here's the thing I don't feel bad Screw them I love it It's just Suck it This team has like

Suck it The Phillies haven't even been good Alright They haven't They're 27-19 And it feels like they've been Mediocre Right

And they're bad They're bad It was A great They actually swept the team They swept someone Jack Not possible It was a great Weekend of baseball It team. They swept someone, Jack. Not possible. It was a great weekend of baseball.

It was. And especially after the Brewers debacle. After you have that great game to start the series, and then to just no show for three straight games, I was not excited. And then the first two innings of the game against the Rockies, game one, against the Rockies, Friday, game one, whatever it was,

we felt like we were back in it. We're like, oh, all right. More bad defense. More poor play. Great. It's going to be the weekend. We felt like we were back in it. We're like, alright, more bad defense, more poor play. Great. It's going to be the weekend. Then it totally turned around. I know. Listen, that was a weekend of good, solid, fun

baseball. It was. Close games, fought back in games, played hard. Mostly good pitching. The offense showed up. The bullpen showed up. Dude, the bullpen. Before the game, before Sunday, if you took out the one Brewers debacle. Yeah, I heard this.

Scott said this. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Was it.773? .77 outside of the one Brewers debacle in their last 15 games. I mean, that's outstanding. But how is that possible without Craig Kimbrell? I just suppose that doesn't seem like that can't be possible. Why would you need Craig

Kimbrell when you have the best closer in Major League Baseball in Hector Neris? Easy breezy Neris? Shut down Hector. What is going on, Jack? I don't know. I'm just so happy. I'm so happy. So we felt really good after the Cardinals series, right? Yes, we did. But this series was like, this is how that

team was built. This team was built to rake, to hit home runs. They were not built to shut teams down with their pitching staff. And they, for the most part, they didn't.

Like, they were fine this weekend. Saturday. Nola shut them down. Yeah. Mostly. Oh, we'll get into that. Okay. Okay.

Uh-oh. But like, no, no, no. It's not as effusive as I was hoping after the 12th strikeout dominant showing. Well, that's because he made me look bad on Twitter. That's all everybody does. What are we talking about?

I mean, there are petitions out there, Jack. Yeah. But let me just say this to you, petitioners. I'm never going to stop, ever. Good. That's the right attitude to have. Don't let them get to you, Jack. You know, they've definitely gotten to me.

It's all the way in my head, but I'm not going to let them stop. Jack's actually dressed nice today. Yeah, I'm trying to be professional. Look at you. I'm trying to turn my life around. I didn't know what was going on. I was like, taking the High Hope shirt, some shorts. No.

Khakis and a little polo over there. Yeah. Look at you. All right, let's dive in. Yes. Game one. Cole Irvin. Cole Irvin uh cole irvin was was good i think i think he's just fine i think eventually i think some teams are gonna get a book on him but the problem the problem with banking on him and eickhoff

and not really eflin um but arietta somewhat but mostly irvin and Eikhoff, is that they have to be perfect location-wise. Because if they're not, then you have the Desmond home run. You have the Story home run on Sunday. Those guys are so much different. Their stuff has to be exactly where they want it to be or else they're going to get crushed. That's how it is. It's fine if they want to pitch this way.

I think it could work for most nights. It's the only way they can pitch. Let's be clear about this. It's the only way they can. They don's be clear about this it's the only way they can they don't have 99 mile per hour fast balls or whatever i know but that's that's that's a dangerous line the fillers are playing with the soft contact thing is that when they miss they get smoked and the infield defense is not good like we we just know that the infield defense is just it's fine i mean cesar is gonna be fine might be nice be cesar it's more bad than mean, Cesar's going to be... Fine might be nice. Be Cesar. It's more bad than good.

Yeah. Let's say that. I will say, like, I enjoyed watching... I enjoy watching Cole Irvin from the standpoint that you can kind of see him thinking through a ballgame. You can see him... It's right up your alley. Yeah.

It's the way into Jack Fritz's heart. It is. Go out and pitch. No, the way into my heart... Go out and pitch, baby. The way into my heart is the first four innings, you're kind of figuring stuff out. Then you find your pitches in the fifth, sixth, and pitch. No, the way into my heart. Go out and pitch, baby. The way into my heart is the first four innings, you're kind of figuring stuff out. Then you find your pitches in the fifth, sixth, and seventh.

That's when you're dominant. And I think Irvin has done a nice job of getting better as the game goes along. Obviously, the home run has been happening a little later, but I just think he's one of those guys that is going to figure out offenses as the game goes along. I think he's that advanced as a pitcher. And we'll get into Cole versus Cole coming up, too. Pretty excited about Cole versus Cole.

Yeah, well, I mean, Cole Irvin in two starts, these are unequivocal facts about Cole Irvin. Yes. Best lefty starter named Cole in Philly's history. And he has drawn the most important walk by a pitcher in Philly's history. Those are two unequivocal facts. Yeah, inarguable, really. I mean, I can't think of another pitcher who drew a big walk

in a big spot before. So I tweeted that. Great point. I tweeted that, and morons responded like, what about Brett Myers? And I was like... Guys. I was like... What about the first part? You think I actually think he's the best goal in the history of Philadelphia Phillies pitching? Right, right. And then

Brett Myers, who searches his own name, liked the tweets. And it's like, oh my God, are we kidding me? It's unbelievable. It really is amazing how people just don't get jokes on Twitter. I tweeted over the weekend, I think it was. I tweeted, it was before the weekend. It was the end of last week when Harper made another great defensive play. I tweeted, Bryce Harper is an exceedingly expensive defensive specialist.

People are like, give him time. I'm like, look like five tweets ago. I tweeted, relax. Bryce Harper's going to be fine. And it's, like, unbelievable. You're getting hot in the keys, though. You're tweeting a lot recently. Trying to bring it, guys.

You're getting hot. Trying to bring it. The fingertips are getting hot. I'll be completely honest with you. I love the High Hopes community. I love the people. And they interact on Twitter. So, like, what am I going to do?

Not interact? Not try to be a part of it? And they're actually nice. I love the people. And they interact on Twitter. So, like, what am I going to do? Not interact? Not try to be a part of it? And they're actually nice. I know. It's fun. Like, I'm enjoying it. So, I make it. It's a concerted effort to do more.

All right. Other thing from the Friday game. The Friday? Game one. It was Friday. Game one. We're much better on Mondays now. Yes, we're better on Mondays because we know we just came out on the weekend.

Shout out to Andrew McCutcheon. I was really impressed. Not just with the game he had, but I think you tweeted about it's the weekend? Yes, we're better Mondays because we know we just came out on the weekend. Shout out to Andrew McCutcheon. I was really impressed, not just with the game he had, but I think you tweeted about it being the first out on the field. They needed veteran leadership after that Brewers series and McCutcheon was the guy to do it. He was on the field at 3.30. He was the first one

on the field. He was hitting curveballs. I guess they're like 75 mile an hour curveballs just to get himself right. And if you are a member of that team, and if that guy's going to go out there, Andrew McCutcheon is a former MVP, one of the best guys in the game, revered throughout the game.

If he's going to go out there early, put in extra work, trying to get himself out of his own slump, then what's your excuse? Absolutely. And look, he's monster home run, tied it up at 2-2. Good weekend.

Backed it up on the field as well. Throughout Mark Reynolds on Friday night. Yeah. That was a great throw throw by the way. You can't throw it better. This is part of the reason why Andrew McCutcheon was signed. Sure, he's not the player he was and so what if Michael Brantley's batting like 330?

It's fine, he'll be injured in a week. So who cares? Because he's playing for a team where everyone's batting 330. McCutcheon is signed for this kind of stuff. Being a veteran presence in that locker room that is going to do it the right way. And for him to be on the field doing it that early and to go out this weekend and back it up. I thought that was great.

I think it's a great lesson for the young guys on the team. Also, shout out to Bud Black. The fact that John Gray Shut down Harper twice And then he brings in Another guy to face him Even though Harper had been made Look silly by John Gray

Yeah And they turned around 97 on the fastball Big double there That's a big sign I mean it was a big double They won 5-4 Made it 5-2 at the point

Ended up being the winning Runs the game as well For sure So shout out Bud Black Really appreciate that. Bud Black. I actually think Bud Black's an alright manager.

He is. That was just a horrible decision. He had a bad weekend. He had a bad weekend. Well, he brought in Mike Dunn. Yeah. I mean, it seemed like he was just not making the right

decisions across the board. Oh, and the one last thing on Earth of a Friday night. One of the reasons, or one of the things that I've been most impressed with is his resolve on the mound.

Like, the fact that the error happens, whatever happens at second base, I think it was Cesar's fault. It was Cesar. Yeah. It was definitely an error on Cesar. You could argue whose fault it was. I felt like it was Cesar's. So I got into this, whatever, in arguments.

But here's my line of thinking on that, is you're a lefty on the mound. There's a righty up to bat. A ball is hit to the third base side it's much easier for a lefty pitcher to turn and throw to a second baseman who was coming over and basically standing like a first baseman a million times easier rather than hitting gene segura who is coming like it's like it's gene segura is coming towards the bag you have to make like a it gives me a quarterback yeah it's a great point so like so and and on that play segura was way further away because of the shift, and Cesar was closer to second base.

Maybe Segura broke too hard and that kind of flinched Cesar a little bit. That could have happened. But that's second baseman's ball. It has. I mean, technically, that is the second baseman's ball. Second baseman should cover there. Yeah, but for Irvin, after that whole thing happened, that's usually when guys like Pavetta, guys like Velasquez,

they kind of crumble. They crumble in that scenario, and he didn't. He has been mentally strong this whole time. He's been having way too much fun for a guy that just got up here. I mean, it's a good thing. It's a great thing. It's funny that a guy who never pitched in the big leagues just looks like he belongs the second he got up here.

He's been efficient with his pitches. He does seem to know what to throw in certain situations like he seems like a pitcher yeah he works quick it's producing his games is very fun i'll bet it's a blast i love quick workers yeah it just makes everything better it's it's great baseball metamons played an hour and 59 minute game over the weekend well yeah and the Mets let Sandy Alcantara throw 89 pitches. Shut him down. How are 59 minutes, man? Way to fight for your manager there, boys.

What are you doing? Listen, by the way, shout out to giving up Jared Kalenic or whatever his name is. That kid is legit, by the way. He's awesome. He's amazing. For a closer, which is the second worst decision a New York team

has made outside drafting a running back number two overall in that city right now. Like, why are you trading for a closer when you're not going to compete right away? It's a great question. Why would you draft a running back when you're not going to compete for four years and by the time you're ready to compete, you're going to, he's going to be out of the league? Another great question. Why are you trading for a washed up second baseman who shouldn't even be playing second base?

Shouldn't be playing the field. And also is getting a contract of 100 plus million left? Yes. That's a great point. Who would have thought? God, I love the Mets. Who would have thought? Hiring an agent as your general manager may be not the best decision. Stop doing that. Right? Stop hiring agents

as general managers. It's not working out so far. Rob Palenka, Brody Van Wagenen, this thing is not working so far. No, it is definitely not. Let's move on to Saturday. Obviously, got started early, and we'll get to Nolan in a sec. But as you said before, the ball is still not landed, Jack. No. What a home run, man.

Oh, my God. It was like all the frustration and all the complaints, all the boos, everything that happened over the last few weeks, just put it into one frigging one freaking shot. That was awesome. It was amazing. I was just cackling. I was sitting in the studio. I was just cackling. You really let

this happen. You guys doubted this guy. It was just such a shot. It was unbelievable. The sound of the ball off the bat was just like any a jay roll like anything i've ever heard jay roll was like oh no which is amazing like that's amazing i don't know it was it was it was incredible i was it was i was cackling i was so

happy i mean dude he hit a nashburn alley i mean anyone who's ever been to that ballpark knows what an unbelievable thing that is. And it was 94 miles an hour. Catching up to the fastballs. That's a big sign. Jack, he's catching up to the fastballs. Did the rest of baseball let Bryce Harper figure out fastballs? I'm sorry.

Why would you do that? What a shocking thing. We do our show on Friday. We say relax. Don't freak out about Bryce Harper. Just saying. You're welcome. Just saying. That's what we're here Harper. Just saying. You're welcome. Just saying.

Now you're all in big, big trouble. All right, Nola, let's get into this because at least to my untrained eye, easily the best Aaron Nola we've seen this season. He looked back, 12 strikeouts obviously, got into a little trouble in the sixth, still not getting deep into games like we'd like to see, but I was really impressed with the curveball with Nola on Saturday. Saturday. Got it.

Yeah, I mean, he was amazing. That's not really my point, but so the difference between Nola being back and Nola being this good this year is powering through that seventh inning. Like that's last year he gets through it. Yeah. And this year he kind of just got to it. I think it's a very fair point.

Gave up a run, struggled, needed to get bailed out. He got, like, those two balls, it happened quickly. Oh, it was like, okay, get him out of there. Immediately. Take him out of this game immediately, Gabe. I mean, I even, I'm even surprised he let him face him. I didn't think he should have let him stay in. I mean, I know you give him one batter there,

but, like, I would have been fine if he didn't let him go out for the seventh inning at all. Well, I would, I think, hmm. Was he at was that like 104 pitches or something going into that 106 something he was over 100 yeah i think he's a little less than i think he's 102 but um i didn't i didn't want him i was fine if he didn't go back out there i like the idea of putting out there because he's your ace that's the best he's looked all year and gabe has been doing that this year he's been giving guys a chance like he did with arietta the complete game all that he's looked all year. And Gabe has been doing that this year. He's been giving guys a chance, like he did with Arrieta, the complete game, all that. He's giving guys a chance

to go out and get another in. Yeah, and it could have been a momentum thing. I just thought that in the sixth it didn't look the same. I thought the first five was like, holy crap, Nola. And then the sixth

wasn't quite the easiest. Also in the fifth inning was when that umpire, I forget who it was, it was right down the middle. Oh, it was unbelievable. And then there's two, like two runners on base after that. All forget who it was. It was right down the middle. Oh, it was unbelievable. And then there's two runners

on base after that. All weekend. All season. Umpiring has been horrendous. I've said this before on this show, but I think it's the worst. I mean, and again, it's anecdotal, but at least to my eye, the amount of baseball I watch, this is the worst home plate umpiring has been in as long as I can remember. Yeah, I don't

know. Maybe it's probably because that new the strike zone thing's up. Maybe that's helping you see that a little remember. Yeah, I don't know. Maybe it's probably because of that new, the strike zone thing's up. Maybe that's helping you see that a little bit. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. But, Noah, I thought that if you sent him back out there, I would have just been like, you get one. You get one hitter, and then I'm bringing in someone.

Especially if you have McMahon coming up, who's a lefty. You have a lefty up in the pen. It forces Bubba Lack to burn two guys because I forget the scenario, but the next guy was like a pitcher I'm pretty sure so to use another bench guy um good thing we didn't pick Ryan McMahon as the Kurt Azubi we might have to change it to the Ryan McMahon just matches against us it doesn't make any sense I mean the guy's terrible against everyone but the Phillies and then he turns into I don't know Babe Ruth sure

sure Babe McMahon. But Nola was good. Nola was really good. The curveball's back. The fastball location was really good the first couple innings. But the next step is powering through the seventh and giving us seven innings of one run back. I completely agree with you, and that was a little disappointing. But nice to see the Penn pick him up again.

Two-inning Hector. Two-inning Hector. What's that about? I was like, oh, oh great we're getting nishak in the ninth why is he using actor in the eighth and nishak in the ninth this is crazy let that and let narrows go too it's just narrows it's it's been it's been too easy like it's been it i it feels like i'm watching a different person on the mount i mean this whole weekend it's just been, it's just been easy breezy Neris. He just comes in, game's over. Gets out and it's done.

It's crazy. Quick outs. He had like seven pitches. They never used to be like this. They never used to be easy. It was the worst. It was horrendous. Neris' ninth innings were not fun.

No, we hated them. Now I just kick my feet up. Again. And start preparing my Seinfeld clip. I literally said multiple times on this very show, No, we hated them. Now I just kick my feet up. Again. And start preparing my Seinfeld clip. I literally said multiple times on this very show, I never want to see Hector Pidgeon in the ninth inning again. I have to retract that statement, Jack.

My man's got it. Yeah, he's their closer. I mean, he's 100% their closer. At least for now. Well, he's still going to go by committee because Neshek, he likes certain matchups with Neshek. Yeah, especially certain right-handed hitters. by committee because Neshek, he likes certain matchups with Neshek. Yeah, especially certain right-handed hitters. He really likes Neshek against.

So I think the closer is pretty much going to be Neres and Neshek. And maybe a rare case if it's two lefties and a righty who doesn't hit lefties well, they might go Morgan based on matchups or something like that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I agree with you. Look, I think Neres, for all intents and purposes, is the closest thing to a closer this team has. But I just can't believe that I feel good with Hector Neris entering the game. It's crazy.

It feels wrong. Dude, dude, right now we are trusting our bullpen to Adam Morgan and Hector Neris. You tell me that two years ago and you're like, get out of here. Like, wow, that's horrendous. You're telling me two years ago, if you say that, the Phillies are in first place. Last year, if you say that, Jack, what are you talking about? A year ago. Well, they were in first place a year ago. Right, but if you told me a year ago, if you say that, the Phillies are in first place. Last year, if you say that, Jack, what are you talking about? A year ago.

Well, they were in first place a year ago. Right, but if you told me a year ago that a year from now, they're going to be in first place, you're going to feel really good about the team, and Hector Neres and Adam Morgan are the two guys you count on most in the bullpen, I would have said stop. That's stupid. That's ridiculous.

And you would have said go get Craig Kimbrell? Probably. I probably would have said that. But it's crazy. And the fact that Adam Morgan has allowed two runs in two... Two runs... No.

He's allowed runs in two appearances. Yes. With the Jack Fritz jinx hanging over his head. Pretty amazing. You gotta factor it in. It's pretty amazing.

Someone's gotta factor it in. It basically means he hasn't given a bandy run. Right. That's the way I break it down. Right. Because the fact that he's able to do that

with that hanging over him, most men can't handle that. I mean, look at all the people. It's just torn to shreds. Altair got DFA'd for Drew Pomerantz. Altair's not even a Philly anymore. He's out of the league. You have Pavetta in AAA.

Pavetta got sent to the Pirates. Even though he's the International Pitcher of the Month, what can I say? I love it. I love that you just said, what can I say? You're taking credit

for the international picture of the month while in the same moment making the point that you are the winner and jinxed him to the minors yeah well really amazing

by the way did you see the switcheroo I pulled on the mush gods this weekend no what did you do oh your bio thing yeah tweeting through the mush

no but I switched it up oh what did you change it to to mess with the heads of the mush gods I did a little screenshot video thing uh i changed my bio to life liberty and bryce harper second half splits or something and and then i immediately deleted it but it's physically in the bio it was saved in the bio and since that moment two just absolute moonshots so the bio is a special place it's a really I am accepting Venmo requests for the bio. I could use some extra cash if you would like a...

If someone pays you to do that, I might just quit. Really? I might just quit everything. I'll put you in the bio. I might quit... I'll say James Seltzer's really good at his job, then he'd get fired. How's that feel? Wow.

Ouch, man. Yeah? It's kind of messed up. Well, that's the power of the bio. Don't cross me. It is the bio. You can tell. Don't cross me.

I'm a little scared. Let's move on to game three, aka Sunday, I think. This was a fun one. Eikhoff, well, let's start with Eikhoff. Not great from Eikhoff. Oh, the Eikhoff regression is here. Who could have seen it coming?

Yeah, I mean, he's... Is anyone alive who could have seen that Jared Eikhoff was not going to have an under 2 ERA this year? Well, listen, here's where we're at. I think the Phillies have three really solid back end of the rotation options, right? I think Eickhoff can be a solid 5. I think Irvin can be a solid 5.

And I think Evin can be a solid 4. The problem is that the guys in front of them, they have Nola, who is an ace. He's an ace. Arrieta, who's whatever at this point. Who knows what Arrieta is. But they don't have a legit two.

They don't have a legit two. Could they get the deadline? Yes. I think they will. But that's where we're at with the Phillies rotation is that, sure,

listen, we're not saying that Jared Eickhoff's a bad pitcher. No. But he's not going to be what he was the first two starts. Look, Jared Eickhoff is not, if Jared Eickhoff's a bad pitcher, but he's not going to be what he was the first two starts. Look, Jared Eikhoff is not...

If Jared Eikhoff is one of your starters in a playoff series, it's not great. No, it's not. It's like Blanton. It would be like Blanton. What we're trying to say is, Zach Eflin should be the starter of the fourth game of a series.

Yes. He should be... Here's how I would lay it out. They have plenty of guys for the Blanton role yeah yeah it's a good way to put it but they don't have the first

couple options yes they're missing the more important guys yeah yeah so that's where we're at alright what else from Sunday

obviously Harper just a a monster home run and also I really liked the way they fought back in this game they fought back twice this weekend

twice yes that's why I think that's why me and you are so happy And also, I really liked the way they fought back in this game. They fought back twice this weekend. Twice, yes. I think that's why me and you are so happy about this team. It absolutely is. Especially after the Brewers series where they didn't fight back at all. They did that first game and then it was just like, nah, we're done. Yeah, they showed resolve. They showed legitimate resolve all weekend long.

Romulo, the big homer there as well. I cannot believe he used Romulo in the sixth. I understand it worked. It worked, but it's not, but he did the same thing with Knapp the other day. Remember where he pinch hit Knapp in the sixth inning of a tie game? Why are you using your backup catcher so early? I don't get it. I get it a little more with Remuto because, hey, that guy's an awesome hitter,

and he's by far the best bench hitter we have if he is not playing that day. Still, really risky move in a closed game to use your back. Well, here's how it played out in my mind, is that JT was sitting on the bench. He's getting a little cold. He's like, put me in there. No, no, no, no, no. I'll get there.

I'll get there. And JT's just sitting there. And then he saw Andrew Knapp walk three times, and he said, my job's on the line. Oh, yeah. That's it. I gotta get back in there and hit a dinger. And that's what he had to do

to save his job. Clearly it. JT Romita's job was on the line Sunday. And he delivered. He took back his job. Good job, JT. Really threatened there and you know, able to beat out the worst catcher in the history of

baseball i'm really proud of you buddy so why are you walking in your nap like it's just throw it down the middle strikes to the guy he's batting 160 what are we doing i mean he draws more walks than any other crappy hitter i ever remember his lbp is like 360. I know. And it's all walks. It's all freaking walks. What is your plan? Just throw it down the middle. Just throw a stretch. And see if he can hit it. Treat him like a pitcher. Treat him like a pitcher. Treat him like a pitcher.

That's what you have to do. That's what he is, basically. He's basically a pitcher. That's what he is from an offensive perspective. I don't know, man. I'd rather have Jake Arrieta hitting. Probably. Yes. I cannot't know, man. I'd rather have Jake Arrieta hitting. Probably. Yes. I cannot imagine walking Andrew Neff. Just throw it. Three times.

Yeah. By the way, I don't know what kind of pitch Brian Shaw was throwing to JT Romito, but it was 84 miles an hour. Right down the pipe. And it went back into Romito's back. It was like right there. Yeah. No.

Thank you, Colorado Rockies, again, for allowing us. Shout out Bud Black. Bud Black. All right, any other takeaways from the Rocky series? Other than it was just awesome. The Rocky series. Bryce Harper's war right now. Oh, I saw this.

This is from Devin Fink. This is a great fact. 2018, his war in the first half was 1.1 in 94 games his war in 2019 so far is 1.5 if you use war

in like 40 whatever games right 40 yeah 46 games yeah I want more Greg Murphy

breaking down sunscreen usage oh I can take that all day all day I'm pretty psyched about this Harper thing what Harper thing sunscreen usage. Oh, I could take that all day. All day. I'm pretty psyched about this Harper thing. What Harper thing? That's a good nugget right there.

Oh, you're pumped about the Harper thing? How much do you think the defense plays in? His defensive war is going to be so much better already this year than it was all of last season. He's physically trying on defense this year, which I think is an important... It's a must. It's an important thing to point out. It's a must. But yeah. So here's where I'm at after the Rocky series is that they came back twice.

They came back twice. Saturday was just a good, solid NOLA start. And listen, I just think that right now. So after that, we have Harper back. We have NOLA back. NOLA back. Harper back. We have two comeback wins.

Yes. And this is how that team was built. This team was built not for pitching duels or whatever. This is how they were built. They were built to score and keep scoring. And we talked about it last week, the big inning thing. What they did this weekend was score multiple times throughout the game. Yes.

Thank God. It was not just one. They kept the foot on the pedal all weekend long. And for me, good mojo heading into a Cubs series, heading into Wrigley, which I just can't wait for. I'm so excited. I'm so excited. I'm so ready to watch Wrigley.

It's such a big moment for this team. Going to that ballpark with that crowd. Against a good Cubs team. If you can show that level of resolve against a Cubs team. I mean, we're talking, that's the difference between a good team and a great team. Like, that's the difference between winning the division and actually being able to make some noise. They're not a perfect team yet. I think they still need a starter.

And I would like one more bullpen piece I can trust. Oh, I definitely want one more bullpen piece. Even though the bullpen's been good. Yes. Dude, Jose Alvarez? All that guy does is get out. Great heartbeat. That's what Gabe talks about.

I love it. Jose Alvarez is a great heartbeat. I've been talking about that for years. I've been talking for years about guys in clutch situations whose heart just probably beat a little bit slower. Derek Jeter? That's my go-to. Jose Alvarez.

Yes, same guy. Same level of clutchness. Jose is probably a little more clutch. Alvarez. Yes, same guy. Same level of clutchness. Although, wait, but am I wrong? Is that both Jose Alvarez and Derek Jeter, they don't, neither one of them has an MVP, right? Oh, man. Alright, two more things before we get to the Cubs.

Shout out to Bryce. Neither one has an MVP. What did you think of Bryce Harper talking about the Phillies fans? You think he's happy he came here? Well, I mean... Don't give a crap. When he was on last week with Angelo, he basically wanted to say that, didn't say it. He basically was like, I shouldn't just crap all over the Nationals fans.

I'm going to kind of say it, but not actually say it. Then he just said it. Yeah, and he's like, you know what? I'm going to do this. So he's right. Very clearly right, yes. This is what I'm going to do this. He's right. Very clearly right. Yes. This is what I'm saying.

Bryce Harper needed Philadelphia as much as we needed him. Yeah, I agree with you. I think it pushes him to a new level. I believe him when I say that the fans make him go out and play as hard as he can. I do believe that. I think that this is not the same level of defense we saw last year in Washington. It's a different level of Bryce Harper defense and I think the

I think the booing ish like the it wasn't obviously it wasn't full on booze smattering but I think

I think it fuels him like I think that gets him going I agree with you and I think he wants to pull out of it I think it's fired up by it so I just I love when he says

stuff like that I think it's good for him to keep yeah I mean it gets you through slumps keep saying it keep saying it Bryce we love it one more thing from the I think it's good for him to keep. Yeah, I mean, it gets you through slumps. Keep saying it. Keep saying it, Bryce. We love it.

One more thing from the weekend. Kingery's back. Shout out to Scotty the K. He's not going to play second, though. Nicky Williams. Uh-huh. What happened, Jack? Well, I think they want him to just get at bats.

I'm sure they do. And also, he had options in Gosselin and Rodriguez. Yeah, yeah. I think that's honestly the number one. Well, and Gosselin has the second hardest hit rate on the team. And Phil Gosselin's the best player in Philadelphia Phillies history, obviously. Philly Dobbs. Friend of the show.

But he does have the second- We've got to stand for him. He does have the second-highest hard hit percentage on the team. I just think that Esrod and Gosselin are guys they like. They're guys who play multiple positions for them, and they would lose one of those guys. Look, no offense, Jack. If Aaron Altair is getting claimed,

I'm guessing one of those two guys are going to get claimed as well. So I think they were just like, all right, we're not going to lose those guys. Look, if Aaron, no offense, Jack. If Aaron Altair is getting claimed, I'm guessing one of those two guys are going to get claimed as well. So, like, I think they were just like, all right, we're not going to lose these guys. Plus, the fact that

Nick Williams is out there going on WIP and saying, oh, get traded. I'm sure it wasn't something they loved. I'm sure they weren't like, oh, Nick, you're our guy, bro. Yeah.

And I would set him down, too. And I do think that everyday bets is something that helps. That's what he should be doing right the only thing that sucks about this is theoretically

they're losing their best left handed power threat off the bench not theoretically they are there's no question about it I know he hasn't been very good so far this year

he's not been good this year but like in theory who's a bigger left handed power threat off the bench Andrew Knapp I don't think so

you know dude he got three walks oh god oh god so is he going to catch for Afflin now too nap? I don't think so. Dude, you get three walks. God! Oh, God. So is he going to catch for Eflin now, too? I guess it's a day game, isn't it? So Eflin's tomorrow.

What are they going to do? They're going to have Nap play two out of three games? No way, right? No. Real Muta's going to catch. Suck it, Zach. No more Nappy and Eflin. What happened to your last outing, Zach? Zach, what happened to your last outing, Zach? It makes you so mad. Zach, what happened to your last outing, huh? Where was that shutout?

It was a complete game last time out. What Nappy did for you then? Wow. All for this for Nappy. You're rooting against Zach Eflin just because it's Nappy. Not exactly. I'm just kidding. All right.

It's a big one for you tonight. It's like a big deal for Zach. How long have you been waiting for this game? Two years, essentially. This is How long have you been waiting for this game? Two years, essentially. This is the game you've been waiting for. Jake Arrieta versus Darvish. I am so looking forward

to you, Darvish. You believe they actually matched up? Yeah, it's great. How lucky are we that they actually matched up? Dude, we'll talk about, I mean, this is so good

for baseball. You have Arrieta versus Darvish and then you have Cole versus Cole on Wednesday. It's crazy. That's crazy.

No one's even talking about game two, which is, you know, Eflin Quintana, which is another fun matchup. Yeah. Well, I understand why no one's talking about Eflin Quintana. No one's talking about it,

but Nola Lester's a great matchup. That's another super fun one in game four. Yeah. Four games in Riggory. But this Arianna-Dyvers thing, this is a big deal for you. I mean, this is... Yeah, of course it is.

Basically, this is, I guess, since Nick Pavetta, this is the most you've ever needed a Philly pitcher to show up for you. Yeah. I mean, I have so many. I mean, it's a big deal. I have so many things fired up for Theo Epstein being a fraud, and I could really use, imagine choosing Hugh Darvish.

Yeah, I mean, this is your line. I know. This is what I started with. This is what I started my podcast with. I'm just trying to capture the stakes tonight. Like, how important this game is to you? For as important as it is to Jake Arrieta to go shove on his own mound, it's just as important for me.

Okay, good. That's where I want to get to. Because this is his first time back at Chicago since he's come here. He's not pitched in Wrigley yet. I mean, he gets a standing O. There's going to be no boos, right? He helped win them a World Series. Yeah, he's going to get a standing O.

And he wanted to come back. They didn't want him. If he doesn't, then Cubs fans are frauds. Because that would be outrageous. The guy helped them win a World Series. Their first World Series in 100-whatever years. You can't blame their bad GM for letting them walk. He wanted to stay. They paid

you Darvish instead. What are you supposed to do? Yeah, and you Darvish is walking everyone now. I agree. Jed Hoyer is not a good GM. He's really not. We're going one level higher. You're talking about the president. Yeah, I don't care. All the same thing. He's making all the decisions. But yeah, no, it's good. Did you see the headline, by the way, before they changed it when it was Theo Epstein banned

for white power sign or whatever? Did you see? So remember that guy? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he got banned. Yeah. But it was like all day, USA Today had a headline up that they didn't change that said Theo Epstein banned for white power sign.

I'm sure he loves seeing that. I thought you would have got a kick out of that. No, no. But it's going to be a big start. I mean, good for Jake. I mean, the last time this happened, for this team was the Harper game in Washington, and they rallied behind that.

They rallied behind him. So hopefully we see the same kind of thing from Jake tonight. Just sends a message. He strikes out Anthony Reza on the 7th, walks off the mound, flips off Theo Epstein. And everything is... I can tweet out, Udarvish is up front.

Udarvish walks, what, like six guys tonight? Because he can't control anything? Well, you know his last start. I know. He had 11 Ks and no walks. Yeah. Unexpected, right? I mean, not good. No, it's not great. But I'm excited. I'm excited. Just from a playoff... it's going to feel like a playoff game. It's going to feel, and an 8 o'clock start.

Tomorrow's on ESPN. Like, there's a lot of eyes on this game. I agree with you. I think it feels, this will feel, we've talked a lot about measuring stick series. This is absolutely a measuring stick series. You're going to Chicago to face a team with the second best record in the National League. A lot of other storylines involved. Big series.

Big series. Big series. And, I mean, last year was the Hayward game, you know, off of Adam Morgan. Yeah, we remember. Which wasn't great. But ever since then, Adam Morgan's been really good. So, will Adam Morgan get another chance to rewrite history?

Against Jason Hayward? Jason Hayward. Base is loaded. It's also a matchup of two defensive prowess right fielders that are paid a lot of money it's a good point it's a good point two defensive specialists yep jason hayward got paid 120 million dollars to do nothing yeah well he's having a good year this year yeah he's been okay and he gave him that speech in the rain delay in the 2016 world series everyone gives him a lot of credit for that so yeah i guess that worked out. Cole versus Cole. Excited about that.

Yeah, the best lefty in Philly's history versus Cole Hamels. Yeah. I mean, yeah. Yep, yep, yep, yep. I don't know. I'm excited. It's good. Nola versus Lazard is a fun one, too.

Anything else in the Cubs series you're excited about? Well, I mean, you've got to be worried about Chris Bryant. I mean, Chris Bryant has been... Hit him again. All of a sudden, he doesn't suck. He does not suck. Did you see that? He had a home run in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning the other day.

You don't see that very often. It's good that he's getting those home runs, boosting his value for his future trade to the Phillies. Yes. Yeah. Or signing here. To play with his best friends. Best buddies.

Yeah. I love it. All right. You want to empty the notebook? Are we doing the Kurt Suzuki one? Oh, yeah. No, I don't think we do. I don't know.

What do you think? Where are you at? Should we change it to the Ryan McMahon award? All I'll say is the response has not been good. I'm getting people DMing me saying, stop with this effing award. All right? I've had enough of this award. What if we change the name to the Ryan McMahon award?

I don't know. Sure. Do we want to tempt fate? Do we want to make people mad? All right. Let's couch it because this is a big series. It's a big series. We can't really mess around with this.

Yeah. We don't want to cause any riots. Yes. They're playing the Reds in a couple weeks. We could do a Kurtz's Award. Yeah. We'll couch it. I almost want to say someone I would pick, but I don't want to,

I don't want to even go there. I don't want to go there. I wouldn't go there. I'm not going to do it. Let's not go there. All right. We, we've,

we will couch the Kurtz. You'll tweet out some stats about them and they'll do it great. And people can blame me for that. Yeah, I think so too. Um, one last thing on the cup series. I thought it was interesting as well from Devin.

Think, um, is that the two offenses this year, Philly's Philly singles this year, 23? Phillies singles this year, 232. Cubs singles this year, 232. Phillies walks this year, 189. Cubs walks this year, 188. Phillies Ks this year, 399.

Cubs Ks this year, 400. What? Isn't that crazy? That is crazy. That's really crazy. He's a good follow. You should follow Devin Fink. That's a good follow.

Yeah, for sure. That's really good stuff. Yeah. Hopefully thosevin Fink. That's a good follow. Yeah, for sure. That's really good stuff. Yeah. Hopefully those numbers change for the better for the Phillies and for the worse for the Cubs. Agreed. Okay, final thought.

My final thought is this. I have another player comp for you. Oh, buddy. What would you rather have? Is this the one you tweeted earlier? Yeah. I saw it. It's a great one.

It's really great. It's for the audience. Okay, so which would you rather have? It's a great one. Obviously, player It's really great. It's for the audience. Okay. So which would you rather have? It's a great one. Obviously, player B is who I'd rather have. The numbers are better. Go ahead. So player A, through 46 games of said season, he was batting 187 with a 290 OVP, a 694

OPS, 10 homers, 25 RBI, 65 Ks. uh 65ks player b which is bryce harper is batting 235 371 obp 847 ops 9 homers 31 rbi 62ks player a is someone we know mr ryan howard 2008 ryan howard that was the beginning of that season i did not remember he was that bad i didn't either but tell people what your follow-up tweet was with the numbers that he ended up putting up oh yeah so that his with that start to 46 game a 187 average so he finished season with 48 home runs and 146 rbi didn't he yeah and in september batting average was like 350 um and he basically so he didn't make the all-star game that year but he finished like second mvp he had 48 home runs i know i mean talk about very happy if bryce Bryce Harper gets anywhere near that number. I texted Angelina, Mike Angelina, one of the producers here at WIP,

and he was like, yeah, dude, he got booed the first month of the season. They booed Ryan Howard. That's amazing. So, I thought that was interesting. Everyone relax on Bryce. He kind of showed out this weekend. Also, rate and review the podcast. Rate and review the podcast. It makes Jack's friends very happy. Alright, final thought, and just

as we get into final thought, I would like to let people know Chase Utley has not reached out to me yet. That's sad. A little sad. I thought he was going to. Me too. I mean, he called out the pod. Said he was a huge fan of my yo. So, Chase, I'm still waiting.

Final thought this week, a more standard type of final thought. Jack, we talk a lot about how bad the Phillies are at defense. We talked a lot about how last year, one of the worst defensive teams we've ever seen. Have you paid attention at all to what the Mariners are doing this year, Jack? No. No? Oh, good. The Mariners might be the worst defensive team in the history of baseball, Jack.

Yeah, I mean, I noticed. I watched one game and Ryan Ealy threw the ball. Guess who they had playing second base for them the other night? Take a guess. Carlos Santana? Edgar, very good guess because it's very close. Edwin Encarnacion playing second base for them the other night? Take a guess. Carlos Santana? Very good guess because it's very close. Edwin Encarnacion played second base for the

Mariners the other night. Through 49 games, they have 53 errors, Jack. So they are on pace for over 162 errors. The Phillies last year, as horrendous as they were,

had 121 errors. They're on pace for over 40 more errors than the Phillies had last year. Imagine that team here. Dude, the Mariners are on pace. They have a 971 fielding percentage. The Phillies were like 978 last year. This is one of the worst,

if not the worst defensive teams in the history of baseball, Jack. So we can feel better about ourselves. That's absolutely insane. E5 playing second base. Yeah, that's bad. I can't believe he's a DH. He shouldn't even be playing the field at all.

He might not even be able to DH at this point in his career. He's having a decent year. But that is insane. I just thought I'd make everyone feel a little bit better about the Phillies defense. The Phillies defense, I mean,

the Phillies defense last year was brutal. Yes. And this is like times, that's like, way worse. That's adding 40 more errors to last year's Phillies game.

I know. Pretty amazing, right? Anyway, figured people would enjoy that. Very sad. Makes people feel a little bit better about watching the bad defense

we watch here. All right, Fritzie, big one. Big, big, big one. What do you think? 2 of 4, 3 of 4, where you at? Just give me 500. Give me a split. All I want is 2 of 4.

In Chicago, I'll be very happy with 2 of 4. What do you do with Kingery? It's a great question. I think you play him in center field and at third base. Oduble has been brutal. Has been horrible. Franco, oh, wow. People are again been horrible. Franco. Oh, wow. People are again swimming away from Franco.

Franco's back. Could not have seen this. He's back to like... I've never seen this coming. He's back like 230 again or 240. And he's hitting the ball soft on the ground at third base. No, he looks like double play the other. It's like he looks like Michael Franco. It's like, oh, that's that guy. He's back. The guy I knew and didn't love. But I don't... I would rather Kingery

in center. I just... I mean, they face two lefties this series. I would rather Kingery in center. I just, I mean, they face two lefties this series. I would assume Kingery plays center for those two games. And I think he should. I think,

well, actually, they face three lefties this series. They do, yeah. They got Quintana, Hamels,

and Lester. And Lester. You can't play. They got a lot of lefties. Yeah, you can't play a doable against lefties anymore. Like,

he's just been, he's a disaster against them. Ever since he batted, ever since he was batting 360, he is batting like 222. Like, it's just been... Disaster against him. Ever since he batted... Ever since he was batting 360, he is batting, like, 222. Like, it's horrible. It's a bummer, man.

It is a bummer. It's a bummer. Yeah. But Scotty Decay is back, and that's a good thing. Yeah, that's fun. I'm here for a kingery taking someone's job.

Me too. Go, Scott. All right. We'll be back on Thursday this week. No more Friday Pods. We'll be back on Thursday. We'll talk about the Cubs series. Look ahead to the Brewers and a lot more.

Talk to you later. See ya. of all time. Baseball isn't boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is. Another fact, so jump aboard the

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