High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Why Didn't Rob Thomson Pinch Hit Bryce In The Ninth?

Episode Date: August 19, 2024

Jack Fritz reacts to the Phillies weekend series against the Nationals and discusses Rob Thomson's decision to let Cal Stevenson hit in the 9th inning with Bryce Harper on the bench. Later, he answers questions from the live audience. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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But either way, this is Jack Fritz hanging out by myself. A little Sunday night edition of the iowas podcast seltzer is I believe he's still at a fish concert. I believe he's still Hanging out and and you know, I guess having a good time at one of these fish concerts But when the phil's playing the way the phil's are playing and you have a game like that happened today You know, someone's got to step up and and take the reins here and you know, that's kind of what we're doing. So Thanks for everyone that tuned in. Yeah, we're gonna do, you know, like 20 minutes here of

I got a lot of thoughts on the weekend and then we'll get to some mailbag questions so if you're in here and You have any questions any thoughts would love to hear from you get him in and and Tucker will kind of uh tuck a piece through what he thinks the the best ones kind of are and we'll go from there but uh a lot to get into because it was an eventful last kind of getaway day Sunday and a lot's obviously going on with the team right now. I don't think they're playing bad baseball. I think obviously last week, the big story was the team meeting. And there's been a whole discussion,

it feels like here in Philly sports, or at least like on the radio and on Twitter, of whether or not the team is back. And I think where I land on that is that, I think this team's more back than it's not. I think the whole idea that they gotta go out and they gotta beat all these good teams to prove they're back or,

are they good enough to win the World Series? I don't know. I think if you're holding them to the standard of, they gotta win the World Series, and I'm there. I'm in World Series your boss mindset But I think this whole idea of like well now I need to see them beat all these great teams to really really prove that They're back. I'm not there. Like I think that this team is proven over the last week Albeit I understand Marlins Nationals, but the way they played is is different than how they played before that when they were really struggling when they were really going through it

I mean, I thought that they lost our identity, you know, even today today was the first time You know really? I thought they're gonna I thought they're gonna win Friday night But but it was that early season feel where I was surprised they lost, you know, I was it was like they're down The extra run that Hoffman gave up I didn't need that but I was like they're probably gonna find a way to win this game That little fight is back. So From the standpoint of are they back versus are they not back? I'm way more in the camp that they're back than they're not like I don't need

Go down sweet the Braves and then take two or three against the Astros to prove to me you're good. What we've seen and what we've watched over the last couple of games, I think we're seeing a team that is more focused, that has relocked in, that has some belief. So obviously starting pitching, pretty good. Tom Walker was Taiwan today.

Chris Sanchez was unbelievable. That's Chris Sanchez. I don't, I mentioned this on the final on Friday night. His ERA in his last six starts was over six. And just in watching it, I just didn't feel it. I feel like sometimes you can feel when a guy is struggling. With Chris Sanchez, I didn't feel that way at all. I think he had some bad outings, but overall,

I still had a pretty good trust level on Chris Sanchez. I mean, that was methodical on Saturday. I thought that was really, really good. He didn't have the strikeout numbers. There was a lot of contact, but it was so much weak contact. No one was barreling him up besides the one home run that he allowed. But besides that, one was barreling him up besides the one home run that he allowed. But besides that, he was brilliant. He was in the strike zone. His last start against the Diamondbacks, he was all over the place.

He was, well actually that's not even true. He was right down the middle. He was pretty much change ups right down the middle because he didn't have the feel for his basketball and he got smoked I mean he got absolutely smoked the Chris Sanchez that I think with that we know and the Chris Sanchez that they got the extension Like that's what we saw yesterday. So you have him you have no one who is good on Friday. I I mentioned this as well Like it was one of those starts where if that's a better team I'm not sure how it goes like I thought he's a little bit off through a hundred and eleven pitches a season high and six innings

Not exactly the most efficient but regardless, you know kind of did his thing, you know, I Look offensively. I look offensively and for the first time in a while. I feel pretty good about a Majority of the top after of the lineup, you know, the lineup is one of those things where they go hot and cold. You're dying for this team to be consistent. Do I need them all to be hot at the same time? No. Like, it's awesome when they are, but we know that's not going to happen. But we can't have the lulls that they also had for about six weeks where it's like they're

all just go cold at the same time So I thought that Schwerber's continuous continues to be really good didn't do much against the Nationals this series But like he bought himself some grace. I think with the with the Marlins Grand Slam Trey looks great I mean, I mean Trey had ten hits. He had the home run today. He's not just looking to launch He's not looking to to just try to hit a home run all the time. And it looks like, I love the story that Alex Goffey wrote about how he went into the lab and looked at his swings from the Dodgers and the Nationals of when he was consistent. And his whole thing was like, I have my highs where Trey Turner's arguably

the best player in baseball when he's when he's on his little hot streaks. But then he goes and he has like a 450 OPS month and it's like, what the hell, man? He's chasing everything like just looks like a totally lost player. So he's trying to find somewhere in the middle. And you know, he looked at some of the swings from from the Dodgers and from the Nationals and you know I thought that was like, you know You saw I think a better hitter this weekend against the Nationals So that was good and then Bryce fine. We'll get to the decision today in here in a second

boom continuing and Malvissi's on his Is on Bay Street Castellanos has been really good and those those Stoughton Marsh all runs were big today You know like get those guys going let them join the rest of the lineup I think as a whole I feel pretty good about where the lineups at do I still have my my big fear do I have a sinking feeling in my gut that they could go cold at any time sure like I I Think we all have that feeling and until they are parading down Broad Street. I think we we all have that feeling until they are parading down Broad Street. I think we're going to have that feeling. But I think overall they look like they are relocked back in. They're not looking to lift and launch. They're not looking to all hit

home runs. There was much more occasions over the last week where put the ball on play, string some hits together. I mean that that inning on Saturday where they they poured it on they finally got to Mackenzie Gore. Like I don't know if that happens two weeks ago because they weren't doing that kind of stuff. This is a team and we've talked about this a lot on the podcast. Like this is a team that is they should be more station to station with their bats. Like Trey I think got a little home run happy. Like Bohm's a doubles guy.

Castellanos at his best is a doubles guy. JT's a doubles guy. Stott should be a doubles guy. Marr should be a doubles guy. I don't need all of those guys trying to hit home runs. And I think one of the big takeaways of that team meeting is that I think it was a simplified approach on offense saying hey get back to doing what we are good at and that is being more line drive being

more gap to gap not trying to hit every baseball not trying to take your team out of the slump with one swing of the bat because not going to happen everyone had to come together do the little things to get this thing back, right so The two of the three main portions of this team two of the three main components of the baseball team of the fills I feel good about I really do like I Rotation step forward Wheeler was phenomenal. I cannot wait to see it Ranger looks like when he gets back I think we're gonna get a good version of Ranger Offense wise this looks closer to beginning of the season kind of offense the one thing and and I've mentioned this on the air the one thing that is I think worrisome and if there is a big reason why this team

Would come up short in the postseason Is the back end of this bullpen like? the strom hoffman innings today Not super concerned about you know, like they obviously were superhuman for majority of the season matt strom Superhuman jeff offman superhuman human like they were going to always regress we knew that you know like Hoffman's got a little home run happy in the last two weeks but overall like I still trust him a good amount. Strom I still trust him it's just like everyone else it feels like I just turned into a bit of a heart attack you know it's a bit of a high wire act like Jose Alvarado, I just and it stinks because I don't like I love Jose Alvarado like I think Jose Alvarado

Gets a bad rep. I think he's a really good pitcher and I think he's valuable I just don't see it like I just don't see it with what his stuff is is Presenting on a night in night out basis. Like his stuff has completely declined. He's hitting 96 today on a sinker. He can't be hitting 96. Like Jose Avarado is 101 with sink. Like it's not 96.

And then a cutter that feels like it's being telegraphed. I just, like Jose Avarado is such an important piece to this bullpen because you have Strom you feel good about and Alvarado, if Strom's not available, has to be able to get big outs in the seventh and eighth of playoff games. Like he has to be able to get those outs. Tanner Banks, who I really liked at the beginning

when they got here, he's taking a step back and he is a pitch to contact lefty. I'm having a little bit of flashbacks to 2022 Brad Hand. I think he's better, but like a little bit of Brad Hand. Like Alvarado is just such a key member to this ballpen. And what do we've seen? He's not striking anyone out. He's letting up a lot of hard contact He's walking batters and the stuff just looks like it's taken such a step back and you know, I just

Outside of sitting him for a month. I don't know how it gets any better and even if you sit him What is it? Well, what good is that?? They tried that, they sat in for like two weeks around the all-star break. You know, it's just, he's so important. And of all the things that worry me the most about this team, it's the bullpen. It's 100% the bullpen. And we go back to the trade deadline,

and I've thought about this the last couple of days, like if the price on bats was was so expensive It seems like it was And again the price from relievers was obviously high not just trying to build the the most souped-up bullpen you could and I think making a mistake in thinking that alvarado was gonna figure it out like how they treated Jose alvarado Down the stretch around the first half and coming out was like, yeah, he just needs more work.

When I think anyone with eyeballs could see that his stuff had declined. And to not try to look for an upgrade. Tanner Banks is a Gregory Soto upgrade. He's on a Jose Alvarado upgrade. So like that's the thing that that really keeps me up at night with this baseball team is the back end of the bullpen. And then you get to this Devez who you know blew the save on Friday, but at the same time like in every outing he's had it, it's felt

shaky. And there's a lot of people who won't get this reference. And I should be able to come with a better reference. I'm actually disappointed in myself. But it reminds me of the Jen Margomis year where he was just pitching to contact, wasn't striking anyone out, and it just happened to be right at guys. The one year that Jen Margomis was good. So like I said, this is better.

He's got better stuff. But the price they paid, and this is the whole point around the trade deadline. Like this is the whole point around the trade deadline when people got mad at me for saying that they paid too much for the guy, you paid a premium for a pretty good. Like you didn't get a lockdown, ninth inning kind of closure. you got a guy that can do it you know he's had a really good year but you look at that the the fly ball rate high you look at the walk rate career low you look at the strikeout rate that's down you look

at pitching in Los Angeles which were Anaheim Orange County as they say no pressure like it's worrisome and I just I don't have any confidence Heading into the ninth inning with the lead that Carlos Estevez is gonna be able to hold that so You know in a night where you don't have Hoffman and strong by the way feels like we're gonna have to like Pitch them almost every single night Kirkering they're they're giving a little bit of rest too. You know, he's got to earn my trust again. I think his last appearance,

he started throwing more and more fastballs. He's starting to see some of that two seam run comeback, which is really, really, really, really important. It's just, man, from the first half where the bullpen was like, I'm not even stressed. You know how weird that is to field with the Phillies bullpen where you're not even stressed about what they're doing? Like that's what they were like in the first half.

And where we're at now, it's right back to where it was during the down period where I don't know who I can trust when they come in. Besides, Schramm and Hoffman and even those two are maybe leaking some oil right now. So it's definitely a little bit worrisome. You know, again, I think the team is more back than not. I think the team meeting was really important.

I think it woke some guys up and they got some guys locked in. And I think ultimately they'll be better off for it. Cannot wait for for the series down in Atlanta. We'll see what happens with Austin Riley I know he left the game Earlier today with the hit by pitch self with their injury luck Who knows but that's obviously gonna be a desperate team looking to play spoiler with the Phillies and try to get back Into this division race, but I do want before we get to some some some mailbag questions here again

you can get them in and and Tucker will piece through the best ones we got to talk about the ninth inning today because What annoyed me what annoyed me about the ninth inning today? Is first off you're pitching Jeff off in a game You're losing by one which I appreciate like I I appreciate pitching him in that game attempting or Giving it your best shot to keep it a one run game so that you can come back in the ninth. And I don't know if by allowing a run there and

making a two run deficit during versus a one run deficit, if that scared Rob Thompson off of using Bryce Harper or JT Real Muto. But if I I'm gonna use my best and I'm gonna be in a tie game and then a game where I'm losing And I'm clearly being aggressive. I do not understand how you cannot use Bryce Harper in that situation like Cal Stevenson Cal Stevenson is a is a triple a player Garrett Stubbs is a triple a player like give the team a chance Like I I appreciate getting these guys off their feet I appreciate load management because I do think that over 162 it matters and it's helped in the postseason where other teams

Have played their guys almost every single day But it's in a bat. It's it is a chance to tie the ballgame up or go ahead. Like it's it's not it's not some grueling kind of run. It's it's trying to to give your team a chance to win a ballgame, especially with you have a team meeting. You have momentum. You like everything feels like it's being

righted in the world. And you just pull the plug on it. Like they just pull the plug. Like that. Now we're onto Atlanta. No, like it's the mentality that I don't like. It's the mentality. Like I, you're creating and, and this is Rob Thompson has created a winning atmosphere They they they've won at a ridiculous rate in the regular season with Rob Thompson as the manager but we're trying to create a a Culture of we're going to win every single game and you have a team meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday talking about how every game matters and

you pitch guys where they're pitching a ton and then you just Say no in the bottom of the knife like it just doesn't add up to me now In Rob Thompson's defense and we'll see if this happens or or see if there's anything there or maybe it was just a day I mean Bryce over was wearing was wearing a tape over his hand on Saturday, I believe so maybe it maybe something's happening with the wrist whatever I understand it more to get jt off of his off of his seat for a full day and don't even put under spikes because you know like JT wants to get in there and kind of do his thing but like it was such an

obvious like Go to Bryce just go to Bryce when they when when when they said Cal Stevens is gonna hit I was floored He was like, what are we doing here? And by the way, if Bryce Harper walked or singled or doubled, I don't know, that Johan Rojas could have easily run for him and he didn't have to put him in the game if you're worried about like getting him off his feet. But to just to just kind of throw in the towel, I don't get that one bit. And and like for a team that is trying to now it sounds funny to say a team needs to pull itself out of like The funk they've been when they're 73 and 51 but they've been playing at a malaise for for about six weeks and

Again, like I mentioned a couple minutes ago you you just had a team meeting talking about how every game matters We got to be more locked in like it's go time You thought leave the final 40 some games the season to right the ship here and to just punt I just I can't I don't I don't like it I'd like getting guys rest days but holy cow like if you have a chance to tie the ballgame and give your team a An opportunity to win, you gotta give them the shot.

And like, you're telling me that, and this is, like one of the things when we're talking about managing a clubhouse is I'm sure Bryce is annoyed. Like I'm sure Bryce isn't happy that he wasn't given the opportunity. Like I'm sure he's like, hey, thanks Rob, like I get the off day, I appreciate it. But like, also give me a like, hey, thanks Rob. Like I get the off day. I appreciate it. But like also give me a chance.

Like put me in. And like we thought we always, we all remember what happened with, with Kenebel down in Atlanta when they all called Joe Girardi and were like, hey, like I can go, let me go. We gotta get this win. And he put in Nick Nelson and they blew it

right after Bryce Harper hit a big home run. Like I think he's playing with a little bit of fire here. and he put in Nick Nelson and they blew it right after Bryce Harper had a big home run like I think he's playing with a little bit of fire here that's two times and I mean if you want to go back into the first time with the the Garrett Stubbs thing where it's like you know what are we doing here he's he's not really a major leaker like we know why Garrett Stubbs is here so man uh it was it was a frustrating one and it it was one that, you know, I think maybe even more frustrating because you know, Ruben Amaro was on the station this week and he was like, Yeah, I that won't happen again. And then three days later, it happened. It happened. It totally happened. So it was a frustrating one. And, you know, hopefully

it doesn't carry over. I just think that, you know, you put yourself in a chance to, to win that, to win that game. You ride that momentum into Atlanta, into the stretch they have, and, and you kind of have it carry over and see how far it takes you. So was definitely disappointed. And I just really hope that again, final thing, and then we'll get to the mailbag questions. I promise. But, you know, there's a lot of things like, oh, there goes Rob Thompson asleep at the wheel. Like, um, you think that he's forgot that that price are present on his baseball team? Like no, like Rob Thompson asleep at the wheel. Like, obviously he knows that that Bryce Harper is just sitting there and is a better option than Cal Stephenson.

This is a plan. It's a plan and and the plan needs to be adjusted. All right, Tucker, what would you say is the first best bailback question to get to? FanDuel Casino's exclusive live dealer studio has your chance at the number one feeling, winning, which beats even the 27th best feeling saying I do. Who wants his last parachute? I do. Who wants his last parachute? I do. Enjoy the number one feeling, winning,

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Vincent D Jack just banks are passed out Rados the number two lefty bullpen piece in the playoffs. I Man, I was all banked up, you know, I was like man that Tanner banks might be something I loved what Dave Dabrowski said about You know, they've been trying to get him for a couple years and and his his staff his analytics department I guess really really liked them and I do like the a throw strikes late his staff, his analytics department, I guess, really, really liked him. And I do like the Athero strikes. I like that he's competitive, but honestly, it's a complete toss up. You know, I don't think that banks can get strikeouts the way that Alvarado should be able to.

My big hope is that Alvarado can kind of, and I know this is like contradicting what I said earlier about pitching his way out of it I I would try to find a way to sit him for a little bit and See if you can get some of the velocity back, but I don't know if that's gonna happen. So yeah, I just I Think that it's really just a toss-up. I think banks could but I guess you were asking me at this moment It's still avarado, but I am I am watching that ending with my hands Over my eyes for sure. No, I was next

From Lisa what's going on Lisa who is your ideal fist starter like for this year like I mean In a perfect world. It's it's someone like tylen walker. It's just that I Mean the guy He's not even giving innings anymore Like he's going he's going four and a third or four and two thirds versus like six or seven innings at four run ball So that's the that's the big issue. I it's gonna be curious what they do what they do there So obviously Rangers coming back soon. They sent down Tyler Phillips. They brought Tyler Gilbert feels like more of a long relief option

We'll see if he starts a game The big name to watch out for is Nick Abel, you know if they if they need another starter But I think when Ranger comes back you're gonna have your five, you know in town Walker You got to kind of eat it every fifth day He's out there and hope that he has a splitter or something that day But it is a pretty excruciating watch, you know Like I on one hand I feel bad for him because I just don't think he has it anymore on the other hand It's just like what are we doing here?

so It feels like one of those things in the offseason where they try to eat the contract or eat as much as they can to get out from under it because I don't know how next year you come back you have those four guys still in your rotation outside of like a trade which I don't think would happen and then you have Andrew Painter just ready to go and Andrew Painter on opening day next year should be in the rotation unless something kind of goes wrong I don't think they'd play the the service time game with them because They were gonna have them in the rotation like last year

So, you know, I mean painters gonna be in there if mcable continues pitch really well and has a good offseason Maybe he's in there like they have a bunch of options that I think that are more intriguing and and are possible future rotation pieces so Tom and Walker's feels like we are watching the the end of the Simon Walker era and I don't think that we're gonna be getting Like tweets of him in the postseason wondering why he's not pitching in in postseason ball But what a frustrating frustrating time. All right, what is next? From Evan Jack do you buy the idea of platooning? Start and so so I know start had the home run today, but overall you're struggling. Yeah I think I was surprised, you know, I was surprised the first two games of the series and and maybe it was like a

last ditch kind of effort of being like alright We're gonna give you these these shots against lefties and and see what you do with them and it's the Nationals we should beat him anyway, but maybe this kind of gets you going. And he had the home run today, that was good. The bat looked quick, but it's just been a lot of, not like last year, stopped kind of at bats. It's funny, I was looking up his numbers from last year, and it's like you forget, I mean,

he's a 280 hitter with 15 home runs. At second base, that's just phenomenal. You take that every single day of the week. I think that was with a pretty bad September, if I remember. He was hitting close to 300 before that. My big hope was thought is that it's just a lost year. Guys go through this all the time. Burl had a big beginning to his career

and then really had a bad like third or fourth year in the league and he got it back. I don't know if he's ever lived up to the hype as the number one overall pick, but like young players sometimes just have that awful year where the league just figures them out or they're trying new things. And like I just, that's what this kind of year feels like for stub, so I'm definitely

Pro playing so against lefties every time he's out there. I feel like he does something really well defensively He's he's as good as style. I'll stop made a really really good play today late in the game to Keep it within reason. So I Think that I think that Friday and Thursday and Friday were like the, all right, here's your shot. And after this weekend, I think they go more platoon. What's next? Do you think Turnbull could come back in October? If they transfer them to the 60 day. So I don't think so. I mean, I guess in a perfect world maybe but I I mean you're you're getting pretty close at that point

So yeah, I I'm pretty sure putting with 60 day, you know ends it You know, maybe is Maybe I don't know. I don't think so which is a shame because spent the turnbull obviously with the the first month of the season first month and a half was You know the best pitchers in the NL and then time one comes back they feel like they got to take him out of rotation and it just stinks from the standpoint of like again, he's gonna He's not a major league deal, but it's for like the minimum pretty much. He still had options and stuff and and He was pitching his way into a pretty good contract and now that's obviously not gonna happen

I mean, I think it seems gonna gonna definitely take a shot on him You know, I think that he's gonna get a uh, I would I would think a multi-year offer But again, he was pitching his way into to some pretty serious money. I don't think it'll be the fills I don't think it'll be them um, but I think that he's gonna get a pretty pretty okay contract as obviously I think someone's gonna take a shot on them and maybe he can kind of take what he learned here and translate that to somewhere else. But I think that we've seen the last of Spencer Turnbull in affiliate's uniform, which stinks because again, having another kind of righty arm around the bullpen that can give you some

length and maybe, I mean, take some stress off of off of Strouman Hoffman for a little bit would be really, really big. I never really bought he could be a one inning high leverage guy but I thought at worst he could be like a multi-inning guy that would provide some value if they were up or down a little bit. We'll see where he ends up next year but the Spencer Turnbull was a pretty good signing by the Phil's and You know, it's just unfortunate that it didn't really work out. All right, what's next? Michael

Michael hurlbutt just joined. Sorry if you already touched on it But once we get through the next two or three weeks, how would you manage Sanchez, Strom, Hoffman and Kirk are in Phantom Isles? Innings are adding up for all. You're 100% right. I mean, that's the big fear. And that's why today was so frustrating with the ninth where it's like, hold on. You're using all these guys, you're pushing them.

Don't just sit Bryce Harper in the ninth inning. You don't have to do that. So again, maybe there's an injury there that they want to just make Sure he's done for the day. I don't know But it's frustrating. So I think there could be some Phantom Isle stuff They did this in 22 they put seranthony on the isle they put alberado in the isle they put ranger they put wheeler You know, they really manage those guys like last year. They didn't do it as much But you know this year

with the division lead and that's why again these next couple days against Atlanta are really big because you can bury them like I wouldn't be surprised if they they that sound that's not like a huge take I think they're gonna try to win these games but like I think that they're gonna be really aggressive in trying to bury them so that they can manage those guys innings. They can bring up some guys from AAA. Maybe that's where we get the griffs of the world. I think there's an opportunity if you can bury them this week, create more separation to where you can kind of piecemeal this thing and get them back mid September and really just make sure that they're honed in for the postseason.

But the way that it is right now with how a lot of those guys are throwing, it's very, very, if we're projecting to October and we're thinking about playoff series, it's my biggest fear. No doubt about it. Like offense kind of is what it is, but I think they look more consistent rotation really good, but they're going to start giving them some, some real length. I don't know who I trust in that bullpen outside of Stroman Hoffman. And we've seen those two have struggles in the, in the last two weeks. And that's my big issue. So if they can manage that and be smart and not right them into the ground

It's it's imperative and you know something that Brian Kaplan and Caleb Gotham have been really really good with so I Anticipate them to do the same here. All right, what's next? Odds on Mick Abel make his major league debut in any capacity in 2024 from Andrew? Whew. Stuff. I feel pretty good about it. I do. Like, is it because I started having visions of Mick Abel and Kingery, you know, kind of saving the season here and having some big moments?

Yeah. I'll be completely honest. It's 100% true. But Mick Abel more than Kangri obviously he's just he's still walking a good amount of people which I don't love but the stuff just plays the stuff pops and Like the fastball while it's not the most consistent command-wise like there's clearly a different level of of Stuff than even like a Mercado or a Tyler Phillips or if we ever see Logan Gilbert pitch

I don't think we're gonna be blown away, you know, I I appreciate the no-hitter he threw the diamond backs But I that you know, I think that Nick it was a little bit more stuff. So I Think they're gonna be I think they want to be smart with it I don't think they want to just put him out there as a as a test run There might have to be some things that happen. I'll put it at like 20% that he that he makes his debut, but we'll see. All right, what he got Who will likely be caught up on September 1st, I don't know I mean I would assume Cody Clemens, you know it's a it's always Cody Clemens, maybe they they bring up Marshawn and

To save them from the the theubbs appearances in the ninth inning of close games, maybe they bring up Marshon. But it's definitely a little bit different than the 40-man rosters that I believe Gabe Kapler made Major League Baseball change with, I don't know, pulling guys in the second inning of baseball games. I mean, Gabe gave her baseball there for a couple of years with what he's doing with the September with the September fills but you know I would assume it's one of those guys and I mean we'll see what happens to Cal Stevenson here I'm so sorry

to Joe in the northeast but don't think he's the difference maker I don't think he should be batting lead off and it's really a real piece Jack. Oh this is from John Jack It's because that one guy keeps calling to the afternoon show about Cal Stevenson. Yeah, dude, it's I Mean, he's got to be humbled right? I mean, it's it's it's got to be over Love join the Northeast love passionate baseball cause love, you know, I watch this guy believe high Valley Trust me one my favorite kind of calls but Can't play. I mean, like, congratulations on making the big leagues, but from that perspective, can't really play.

So I'm shocked that the guy with a hitting over 300 with a 420 OBB in AAA is not a major league baseball player, but we've just been so, we've been burned by it. I mean, JK was raking in AAA, Dahl was r been burned by it I mean JK was raking in AAA doll was raking in AAA Cal Stephenson's raking in AAA some guys are where they are. Those guys have been around for a good amount of time They just are what they are. What's next? Alex call what is the conversation after a series loss in Atlanta? Well, you know, we don't get too dark here you know, but I Even it like I don't want them to go down and get swept

Am I asking for one of three sure would I be thrilled with with two or three? Obviously depends how the games go. I would be shocked. shocked now this could come back to bite me But I would be shocked if they go down just get and they just lay down They just lay down and don't really show up. We'll see you starts Tuesday. I think it's gonna be Wheeler But you know that there are some questions about that earlier today. I didn't see anything postgame, but you know, I just like They showed me, for me, they showed me enough in the last couple games to believe that the toughness is back, the resilience that we mocked on

Tuesday night, like that feels more back than not. And as long as they don't go down and roll over and turn into the Diamondback series, I would think people are gonna be okay like this is a desperate series for the braze they need it Phil's in a pretty good spot but obviously you're gonna want to go down there and and be competitive but I think for for like I would hope that if they go down take one of three they don't get swept. They play close. I don't think it's gonna be meltdown city, but obviously things can change so We'll see but I feel pretty good the Braves

Okay, we have this boogie man thing with the Braves. I they've been different for a majority of the season I mean they I was watching them last night versus the the a the yeah the ace or the angels and they're talking about like, yeah man, we just really miss what Ron Washington brings to this club, Allison. It's like, I mean, I agree. I think I said that earlier this year, but like snap out of it.

We got to lock in here, but we'll see. I don't want to wake the sleeping giant. It could be the Braves, but this feels like a different kind of Braves year No, I was next Thoughts on Christopher Sanchez era Wow, it's good bad work by me thoughts on Christopher Sanchez is ERA being drastically higher on the road I mean listen, there's comfortability to pitching at home for sure I mean, that's something that I think everyone experiences. I think that

it's not as like Dire sound like he's unpitchable on the road. He made did just go What six or seven against the Dodgers allowing two runs and looked like the Chris Angeles that we've seen for majority of the season Obviously, he's had some blow-ups. He's had worst starts in the road The thing that I'm gonna find interesting is like heading into the postseason if they have a home series and they have the first two games at home and who gives you a better chance to win that game too? Is it is it Nola or is it Chris Sanchez and If you're asking me right now, it's Chris Sanchez now They didn't pay Chris Sanchez a hundred and seventy two million like they did there in Nola

But at the same time if Wheeler puts you up one nothing You have Chris Sanchez who pitches to an ERA under two at home and or four on the road Versus Nola who's like fine either way like I just it's gonna be a conversation yeah, I think it's gonna 100% be a conversation and It's it's something to definitely monitor, but I think it's more again just the comfortability of pitching at home you know, it's your ballpark and He has had moments on the road, but yeah, definitely. It's it's something to monitor as we head into the postseason. What's next? Jack if you're up eight on the Braves better to have some off days and keep expectations low and surprise people later

They try to build momentum and rant things up in September. Trust and Rob Thompson. Yeah, like sure. I think that's definitely an optimistic way to look at it. Like I don't view today as some kind of season ender or deal breaker. It was just disappointing that it felt like they were going for it. It's just in at bat for Bryce Harper and like the mentality of if we don't we don't. I just don't really love and I think when you're talking about creating a resilience

a resiliency you talk about creating a you know we're going to fight to the end to kind of just throw in the white the white towel or the white flag I Just I just don't love the mentality more than anything. I get why he got why they do it but from that standpoint Yeah, I just I it was disappointing. But yeah, I'm cool with the expectations like again I said this when they were going through their slump now I got a little egregious where it was like six weeks of just brutal baseball and coming out of the all-star break just brutal but like It's a tough balance because obviously people watch every game that wanted to win and they care But yes, I don't want them like quote-unquote peaking right now. I just don't know how much that matters like like in

2022 they collapsed they they 100% collapsed in the second half of the season or in September and they got bailed out by the Marlins going and beating the Brewers and three out of four winning three out of four in Milwaukee and It's set up a situation where all they had to do was go in one game in in Houston and they're in And then they went to the World Series. You know, it's not like they were, it's not like, oh, all these benchmark series,

oh, they have to beat the Braves. They have to beat the Astros. Like, ultimately it comes down to whether or not the team can flip a switch in October. Does it matter how they're playing heading into it? I don't think it really does, you know? And the fact that at least this week they were able to pull themselves out of the doldrums

I think was important. So Again, I mentioned this when they were struggling, but then I got too much and was like, oh my god, they figure it out I didn't really want the wins record like I didn't want 108 wins or 110 wins Like I don't think that having the most wins in the regular season Matters all that much like I want a World Series title. So like, yeah, it's again, it's a tough balance. I just don't, I think sometimes we go a little bit overboard and like they have to be playing their best baseball

in September, like I would like it, but at the same time, either they're gonna get in, they're gonna get hot, they're gonna look like the team that we've seen for a majority of the last two post-seasons, or they're gonna get in they're gonna get hot they're gonna look like the team that we've seen for a majority of the last two post seasons or they're not like it's it stinks but like that's kind of reality in the situation I think that people's create these these kind of benchmarks the team has to clear in their eyes or in their head but but when it comes down to it if the other team just out pitches you and you can't hit for three days in October

Bang it's over. So you said hope you can avoid that and that's why Winning the division and trying to get the one seed or two seed and avoiding having to play in the wild card round So big so you can at least extend it and you know in a five game series I feel pretty good about the Phil chances Tucker. What do we have like one more here that would make sense? Thoughts on the saw young race I mean, I thought skeens he was gonna was gonna kind of get in there and he thinks plus 1200 I was like, wow, it's a good time to get him. He's kind of falling off Wheeler I think is gonna pitch his way right into it

But Chris sale man, like I was so I'm so mad. I was looking at before the season I was like, of course the Braves of all team are gonna have the the throwback Chris sale kind of season He's gonna pitch to a Cy Young so feels like a sail wheeler skeins kind of final three here and Hopefully, you know wheeler can can figure it out because yeah, I got him plus 900 for the Cy Young I would I would like to have that one payout, but either way. Thanks for hanging out with me As a long solo pod that's that's on the down the chest bad, but I appreciate everyone kind of hanging out Reacting to what was an annoying game today

but overall a successful home stand winning for two and having the real team meeting to kind of ignite the Ignite and ignite the team and have them moving in the right direction and huge series in Atlanta. I think we'll be back Tuesday morning with High Hopes, but I just want to make sure that we got something out there because let's, we got to talk to Phils. We got to talk to Phils. I think Salters again, still at his fish concert. So we'll let him enjoy his time. And I'm sure he's going to be up and ready to go on Tuesday morning. But thanks for hanging out, Tucker. Appreciate you. High hopes as always presented by Miller Lite. Speaking of that, definitely should have mentioned this in the beginning. That's on me. But Thursday, we are at the

Trapp Tavern in Trapp, BA, slash Collegeville. Great spot, fun spot, always a great time. Seltzer and I will be there hanging out watching the film. So come on out, come hang out with us and enjoy some Miller Lite specials and all of that good stuff. So hopefully we see you Thursday. Hopefully they don't crap their pants in Atlanta. I say one of three. I know a lot of people want two or three.

Would die for two or three. But just don't embarrass yourself. Don't do what you did in Arizona. That's all I care about. But thanks for hanging out and talk to you soon. You