High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Will They Ever Score Another Run?

Episode Date: April 9, 2026

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies' 20-inning scoreless streak and try to find the positives in the team's latest downturn as they come back home to play the Diamondbacks this weekend. Presented by Miller Lite. To purchase Ring The Bell by Jack Fritz and Kevin Reavy go to RingTheBellBook.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. This is the High Hope's podcast. Hi hope. On the Odyssey app and Sports Radio 94 WIP. I feel a little less along. Yo! It is another edition of the I-OOOspodcast. Sponsored by Miller Light,

official partner of the Philadelphia. Phillies taste like Miller-Time, Philadelphia, celebrate responsibly. Yet again, you know, one of three. I think that's kind of what we predicted. We said, two or three, but kind of played out the way we expected.

Just, you know, 20 innings. So that runs, Jack. How you feel, buddy? How you doing? Yeah. You know, every time they're struggling and I post that we're going to do a podcast, everyone thinks they're so funny with their, you should call Aloha. It's a good one. Never heard that before.

You got it. You got it. You're the first one to ever think of that. That's awesome. You're doing a great job. So as you can tell, you're doing great. Doing great. Oh, it's a good day to be Jack Prince.

Well, it's just like, man, they, the offense makes it so hard to really believe in them. and like I understand that they're they'll heat up I guess but like here's here is everything that like I feel about the offense trade an unbelievable season last year and it was I think it was gonna be hard for him to replicate that Shorebert an unbelievable year last year

Impossible to replicate he was second an MVP like not gonna happen again so you have those two I think Harper is clearly rounding and like I think he looks fine at the plate right now yeah yeah he's been okay he's been he had five hits out in San Francisco and he's on balance which is all the matters, whatever. Like the big three of the big three.

And he said he feels good. Yeah. Ten games in. Ten games in they're like, we're going to pull the blog on the bone cleanup thing. It seems like it seems like 12 games, but yes,

12 games, whatever. There's only 150 left. So you have, after an off season of, you could be the cleanup bidder. Right? Right. Right.

Right. already like it's so it is embarrassing it's embarrassing we all told you we all said he's not the cleanup well and the the bobb's set sweepstakes were an admission that you needed another another hitter and now boomsb's 79-76 yeah and then so then you put adoles there who i think it always looks good at the plate but it's like i'm fine i'm glad they're going to eventually put a doleys and we think for what's worth that's not but announced we think topor after the game said he is likely to make changes in line we're assuming that'll be i mean stat has to move out of five right i mean that's like a lot of Like Martian 5 is going to happen, I would think.

Yeah, yeah. And it seems like Adelis is going to bat four, and then you'll have boomed down at six. Which is what we talked around the pod last pot. We're like, do this now. Why are you waiting? Yeah. But it's really just. It's the deck chairs on the Titanic is what it feels.

It is what it feels like. And it's just, they are the ones that make it so hard to, like, believe that this year is going to be different. Those are the guys. And it's just, it's, it's infuriating. I mean, there are numbers against left-hand starters. are atrocious. They're the worst in baseball. The numbers of the runners in scoring position are horrible.

I think worse in baseball. Are they really? They're low. They're low. I know they're worse. I think they're worse in baseball and, like, OPS Plus or something like that.

Like, one of those stats. Like they're at the bottom of the league in a lot of this stuff. Well, I can't find a stat that they're not, like, that they're not in the 20s in. You know, like,

they're 19th, I believe, in, like, maybe, it was one this morning. I was looking at. They're like hard hit percentage, but even I think that's wrong. They can't be nine.

I feel like I've not seen a hard hit ball, like a weekend or all series. I didn't see a hard at ball. Harper off the wall. Yeah, but, um, yes,

that was the one. Yeah, they, like every single offensive. Giants had a lot of ball, balls hard. They did. They did.

Yeah. But every single offensive stat is like, they're like in the 20s as an offense. So they feel, they just feel so deficient. And they, they feel so. helpless in these games. I mean,

would it, besides the first inning of the Colorado game, I mean, would it kill them to score a run before the fifth? Oh, God, I believe. Or put up crooked numbers. I mean, they feel, they feel so boomer bust as an offense too. And the problem is the boom is like, oh, we had a three-round inning. Like, let's go.

It's like that it feels like they, they can have a big inning here and there, but there is no consistency with that. They don't put the ball in play. There's no past the baton. And to your point, the guys, like, I mean, they come into this. I mean, O'C Bohm's in a freaking contract here, man. Like, Bryson Stott's like,

are you coming in the years of the five? Are you two 94 last year? You're all like, I get it. I feel foolish with this stuff. Like, Stats just might not be a good hitter. Like, we might, you know what? We might just, he looks like the kind of guy who should be a good hitter, and he just might not be a good hitter, you know?

I know. And, and boom, it's just like, he is exactly who we think he is. He is exactly who we think he is in every single way. And, you know, that's why I was so upset about them right? We all were, but that's why, like, And that was the thing I thought with the running it back, too, that they didn't talk enough about was what you just said about Trey and Twerber. It's like, Twerber will not be as good this year as he was last year. It is so unlikely that he will have as good a year. Trey, it is unlikely to be as good. And these guys are year older. I mean, we're getting into those ages where it's like Harper 33 turning 34. You know, that's when you start to decline. Like we are getting into these spots where it's not just they ran it back. It's like, oh, back of the baseball card. It's like, no, they're older now. The back of the baseball card changes. You are no longer. you're in your prime. And in some case,

you're coming off the best year you'll probably ever have. It's a real problem. Like, this team feels like, like, again, I know they had the one game

where they were down five, one and came back in one, but two games here they came back from four runs down or more. It shows the fight. Like, it just feels like they're so unlikely to come back when they're down.

When they went down three nothing yesterday, oh, that's it. Ball game. Devers hit that ball. I was like, well, we lost.

Well, and the thing that I, I feel watching them is, with Caleb Cotham and the pitchers, it feels like they are ahead of the curve or on the curve. Like they are one of the more forward thinking. There's a lot of results here of guys coming here and getting better. Pitchers want to come here to be with Caleb Gotham

and the pitching group that they have. And then you get to the hitters and they feel ancient. And like Kevin Long may have been the best hitting coach in the game 10 years ago. But they keep talking about him. And I understand that he is not. up there hitting. I understand that. But modern

hitting is about swinging hard and slug. And I hear Rob Thompson after the game. Just looking at, he's frustrated with the offense, right? And his frustration was they're not using the whole field. I know. He said, oh, we're pulling the ball. I'm like, what?

What do you? The problem. Get home runs. We're not literally. We're not literally we're going to use the whole field. Like, find guys that can slug. Find guys that can, like, Bryce Terang turned into a, like a, like a, with swing changes into a guy that can, that does damage to the baseball. All-Star. Like, he's an all-star level type player, Bryce. And meanwhile, we have, we have, we have Trey soft contact.

Stott, again, swings a pool noodle. It's unbelievable, man. It's unbelievable. Boom. No heart contact. No lift. While I like Justin Crawford, it is a high average with soft contact because he can beat some balls out. Like that's Justin Croft.

Now, sometimes I think as he gets older, he will continue to lift the baseball. He has good raw pop. Like there's going to be some power there. But I feel like we're putting the hopes, the lineup of the guy that's five homers. Dude, they were talking about like, well, Justin Crawford, 355. It's like, well, now he's paying 305. Okay. Like that had been quick, right?

Like, and he just, he's a one trick pony. I like him, but it's so unfair to put the hopes of changing this lineup on a 22-year-old rookie. I know. And like the people that want a bad lead off, just take it down. Crazy. The camera said that. I'm like, what are you talking about, dude? I was like, seven.

I think the seven thing makes all the sense in the world. I think that's one of the best things you brought up in a while. Like, that's like a shocking that they have not moved him to seven already moved, like from the running perspective. And then you get to real Muto, who just might not be able to hit it anymore. Might just be cooked. might just be done at the plate. I mean, behind the plate obviously is the funniest thing about it.

I didn't realize it. Richie pointed out to me as morning. Do you know the JT has the best OBP on the team? OBP? OBP. It's not Schwartz? He has a 405 OBP. Interesting.

JT. Romuto. Which is crazy because he, 240 average doesn't look, but he doesn't, like he looks like deficient at the plate. He's IS OBP on the team. Interesting. If I thought he's only hit at the year was the home run.

He had the one game on base five times or ever. I think that one game is carrying. him. Yeah, I'm sure it is. I'm sure it is. So he has five walks. Oh, well, it is. That's the point. Yeah, but he does have the highest OBP on the team. I know he hasn't played the last couple games. Yeah, yeah, and it seems like he's going to be fine. I thought that was a stone broken foot situation. Well, he was hit him in the worst possible spot too. Yeah. Yeah. So it's just, and then Kevin Long has got extended, which means he's going to be here forever. I just, I look at the offense and they just, they just feel behind the times. Even in the minor leagues, you know, I mean, it doesn't feel like

they've developed some of these hitters. Like some of the hitters, I think it's mostly just pure talent. Like Miller and Crawford. I mean, there's a first round picks, you know? Like they're, yeah. They should be there. But major leagues, it's almost like with, with Klong is, these guys are going to be fine. It's always like these guys are going to be fine rather than like, we're doing something.

I know what, like Stott, they lowered the hands last year. That seemingly has, as, as run its course or back to the 18 dribbler of the first baseline. Oh my gosh. It's just, they are extremely. And I think Statenbaum, like, it's one thing that with Kevin Long to be like, well, what's he going to do with Bryce Harper or Kalsworth? Like those guys know how to hit? They're not going to, they've got their own guy, whatever. Like, look at the guys. Like, Staten Boom, become worse as hitters. Like, where's that development? Where's the development with younger guys moving forward? And to your point, I think the real issue is developmentally through this. Because pitching wise, they are turning into a developmental organization. They know minors and majors. They know to bring guys along and turn them into something. Like they are way behind offensive. Even philosophically, it feels like what they're trying to do philosophically is wrong. Like, I just think that hitting infrastructure feels deficient.

I just think the whole thing is they feel they feel old school hitting. You can go to. Honestly, you can point back to that being a mistake that they made in the moment. Well, the O-Chart thing was they had too many people in the org that were too old school. Yeah. Like, you know. They shouldn't have got rid of them now. And we knew that.

But that was a, that was a, I think we're feeling that. So, I mean, they're going to change the lineup on Friday night. It seems like it seems like we're going to get Adelis in the four spot. We're going to get, you know, boom in the six hole and marsh and the five hole. But how long is that going to last? Like, how long is some of the years these guys? Now, I don't know. I'm pretty frustrated with you.

Yeah, I don't win you. I think we all are. Again, you know, I look, you know me. I mean, anyone who's listened to this pod for the eight, nine years, whatever it is, we've done it, knows that I'm like, I don't even look at spring training. Like, I really try and not overreact what I see early in a season. As do I. Yeah, I'm not checking.

Yeah, well, you're good on the early season stuff, the spring training law. So, um, but, you know, standing's out trying not pay attention too much early on, but, but I think when it's something where you've seen the same thing with the same guys happening multiple years in a row and then you see those things start the season, I don't think it's too crazy to get concerned early, you know? No. And the one thing I still would, I don't know if they're going to do it yet. I don't know if they're going to do it yet.

They'll probably just keep with Trey up there. I really would go back to Shorber, the lead off in Harper 2 and Trey 3. Like I'm just, there's been a lot of spots with, with Trey up. And because the bottom line is doing things. And it's just, he's not doing anything right now. I mean, his series out in San Fran was brutal. Abysmal, even defensively. Yeah, that was a bummer.

That was a bummer. Because he's been so good defensively. Yeah. But the, well, they had. I mean, the game, too, was horrendous. I mean, that was a disaster. I mean, the auto camp. I mean, Otto, Justin.

He just doesn't have a feel for left field. No, no, very apparent. It's like clear. Yeah, you can watch it be like, oh, that guy doesn't know how to play the position. He doesn't have any instincts. There's just the mode where Trey goes up there and is just dying to swing first pitch and cannot wait to get out is sink. Like, he goes up there in a rush to go.

It feels like he's a key way to get the dug out. Yeah. I don't. It's the war. It's the single, I think it's the single worst Philadelphia sports experience right now is, his first pitch swinging Trey Turner. It is horrendous. It's either he swings through it or it's a limp little grounder in the infield that he almost,

I mean, it is, I don't think there's a worst experience in Philadelphia sports right now than it's been first pitch to that over Taiwan starts. I'll take, I'll take, I'll take it. I know what Taiwan is. I know what Taiwan is. It's less frustrating. It's like, this team needs those. to be difference makers

because there's deficiencies after them. But like you can make the case Marsh is their third best offensive player right now. Oh, I think he is right now. I mean, I don't think he should be long. But like Marsh, you can make a March.

Case Marsh has been their second best best player all season. Maybe their first best overall season, you know? Yeah. Yeah. Lack of power. We'll see what happens. Oh, I look.

He's not doing it at lefties. So it's like, what are you supposed to any, you know, getting opportunities. Yeah. Well, they're not in rush to get Otto in there.

But they did pinch it out. I mean, he has been. I got a hit, which was exciting. Much needed. Much needed. I think he's in 096 adding into that at bat. And again, it's just like I don't blame.

I'm bummed because like, look, we're not going anywhere, right? Like I'm going to watch every single game in the season. I was watching them in 2015, 2016, when they sunk. You know, like when we're talking about 66 when baseball teams and stuff. But, but I don't, I, it's hard for me to blame Philly's fans who look at this and say, like, why should I believe in this? Like, why is anything going to change when I'm seeing the exact same story. play out in front of me. Like it's, it sucks. It sucks. It's very frustrating. Now, they did go through a

26-year-office streak or 26-inning scoreless streak in June of last year, which I seemingly forgot. Do not remember. Yeah, I don't know. Tucker remembers it. He's like, no, no one remembers that. I feel like we all probably blacked out. Yeah, imagine those podcasts. Yeah, I will say, though, I do think that once a year we have a podcast like this, where we're like, I don't know, what's, oh yeah, once a year. Are you kidding me? At least three times a year before, before June. Yes. And then, you know, And then they figure it out. Don't figure out. Look, I, and again, I do think even as we're hearing, and again, I am, like, we did a poll in the morning show.

How could turn you about the Phillies offense very a little, not at all? I would go a little. Like I'm not, I'm not like over the top. Really? But like I'm closer to very than I am to none at all. You know what I mean? You know, so the little is to say, it's too early in the season for me to freak out. But like, if I had to bet my life, I wouldn't bet my life on them figuring it out offensively.

Like, I just wouldn't. No. And the, and the thing is. I mean, they would need to have a at some point they're going to have to make a tough decision on the offense at some point. And then like maybe it's a trade that line. They're going to have to make a trade.

They're going to have to, this offense can't win the world. I mean, probably won't win the world series. Well, it's not that they have, I think they're going to make a tough decision on, on Bomber stock or something.

Like, like, you got to make a tough decision there. You've got to change this thing up. You got to let everyone know, like we are willing to move on from these people. And you know what? You know what?

I thought it was crazy at the beginning of the year. and because I feel like they are still going to be in a playoff situation. I think they're going to be one by the trade deadline. But like if Aden is going off. Oh,

in a second. Yeah. I mean, we need to play. Yeah. Yeah. I would trade. Dude,

I'm done with Bum. I'm done with it. Like it's the same thing every year. Like yeah, he'll hit better than this. Like he's going to raise his average. I'm sure I have a hot shoe. But like he's exactly what we think is.

I can't wait for him not to be in Philly. I really can't. I'm so excited for the off season. We can find. Like, if they re-signed him up, I think that's probably off the table. Honestly, like, I'm really, and even stop, like I, I have always, we on this spot, I've always been, you know, he's a ball player. You know, he looks like he knows how to hit. Like, you know, he's had moments.

Like, he's had moments. Like, I am for the first time really starting to think, you know what? Maybe he just can't hit. Maybe you just can't hit at the major league level. Maybe those flashes were just early on and they figured him out. And he's a great defense player will never hit. Like, it might be that. Like, I've really started.

to come around to that. Yeah. I mean, if I see one more slow dribble up at the first baseline, I'm going to, I'm going to lose it. I cannot take how soft they hit the baseball. I just can't do it. Like, I just,

I need guys. That's why Adolese is such a breath of fresh air. He's everything. Again, this guy was 650 OPS last year. He's best, best player in team. I just,

he might be. Watching him in the outfield. Oh, he's such a joy in the outfield. We got a nice throw at the plate. That was super fun. And just, again,

like the amount of balls where it's like the ball is hit. And I'm like, well, we're not getting to that. And then he's just there. It's like, oh, what a, what a breath of fresh air this is?

He's an absolute thrill. And it's, when he makes contact, the ball is just ripped. Oh, I know. I, give me,

just give me so many guys at the ball. I don't care. Honestly, I don't care about I'm sure. I don't care. I cannot take the soft little limp, 10 dribbler in the,

oh, between bone, tray and stop. Oh, and wait till Crawford gets there. Like, all these guys, but the freaking just not,

it's awful. It's awful. It is. You're right. It is not fun. Three out of ten. You know, ESPN labeled the Phillies is the number one most watchable team in baseball. What? On the watchability rankings, number one, the number one team in baseball because of star power and that da da da da da da da and great uniforms. See, that's a funny. It is crazy. I know. Why is the wrestling not caught up to what we see every day? It's so wild. Even we get the playoffs every year. Oh, Phillies, they're the team to beat. They're going to go. It's like, no. You know what? We know. We know they better prove it. They better prove it. I need it to see them do it. Yeah. Yeah. God, 20 straight innings. And also again, I know I keep banging this term, but like, like the back of the baseball

card, the stars, like they, you have to factor in the fact that they are older each year, like that age plays a role in how good you are at baseball. It's almost like, well, the back of the baseball card. And like that changes as the career moves forward. Is anyone saying back of the baseball card for JT anymore? No. They were saying, there was tell me back of the baseball card for Castiano's. Yeah, they were.

We know this guy is in top of the league and doubles. I don't know. My eyes are telling me something different. So, brutal. I mean, just brutal. So,

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Please play responsibly. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone, close to you. Please contact Connects Ontario at 1866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. That's about it. Yeah, I don't, not much else to say. A couple other things before we get to take bag and a couple other things from out west I want to talk to you about.

Obviously, I think the most clear one to talk about today. And look, he's not the reason they lost the game. But, you know, Nola. He was great. He was great, but I'm going to, would you have let him face Devers in that spot? Because I know he's only an 82 bitches. Like, there is no way I am letting him face Devers.

And I think that was, again, like, I know it's early in the season. Like, I think that was a massive mistake by Topper that I don't think got talked about enough. I think he was, I think he got a little. Wrapped up in the career stats first. Oh, he owns him or whatever it is.

No, what I was going to say. What were you going to say? I was going to say, I think he got a little caught up with the painter ending on, on Monday where he got out of the basis loaded with one out. And he's like, ah, I could probably. get away with this one again. It was so silly. Like, like, what are we doing here? Third time during the lineup, their best here. Whether or not he's been good against Nola or good this year. Like, Devers will hit a mistake as he did. And like, you know Aaronola. Like,

this is Aaronola. We know him. You let him pitch two innings in a playoff game for this exact reason. Like, I just, it's crazy to me that he let him hit that spot. It's crazy. me let him say in that's why he had banks warmed up too. That's the issue. That's exactly. He had it lefty. Yeah. And it got out of the inning and then you move on. Like, it was so, such no-brainer to bring in a lefty at that. Like an all-time, simple managerial move. I know. I think he wanted to see how Nola would handle it. I don't, in bullpen-wise, they seem fine heading into it.

Oh, yeah, in terms of guys. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, because he had banks who would have pitched back-to-back days, but obviously he was, we was fine. He hasn't pitched a ton this season to begin with. Bolin was good. Alvarado ended up coming in anyway and did not have a good inning. It's been tough for.

Alvaro is probably the biggest concern so far in the bowl. open, I would say, because the open's been pretty sad. Of the guys, it mattered. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, for sure. Although, I mean, listen, if Mesa keeps it up, maybe switch those. It doesn't matter. You got Mesa, you got the new Alvarado. That's right. Good point.

Good point. The uptick and stuff we've detailed all year about Tim Mesa. But the, uh, and, you know, it's good when we keep piping up how good Tim Mesa's been. I know, listen. So what if he gave up the 60 second home run to judge in, uh, 22 or 23 that was? He's a big game pitcher Tim Maze. I trust him with my life. Reminds me Scott Eyre.

Anyway, the, um, the, uh, and I'm thank God. dude that Bolin is starting to look the part. This is what he looked like in spring. And then the first couple of hours were a little shaky and people were like, ooh, we're back. We're back in on, on Big John Bolin. So,

yeah, Bowlin. Alvarado is definitely looking shaky for sure. But yeah, no, I thought that was, I think, because Devers OPS against Rides is still 900 something this year and 700.

It was just so nonsensical. Like it was this was, I don't care that he was a stupid. It was such an easy decision that's bottom of my mind. I couldn't believe it. I kept waiting. I'm like, where is he? Where is he?

Where's Topper? What's going on here? Why is he not coming out? Like, I mean, it should have been based as low if they don't get that, that by the skin of the teeth, Marcia on ABS call. Like, it could have been a grand slam. Like, I've always been pro ABS. We've always been pro.

We've got on the ABS. Our guys get it right, you know? Just kidding. Just kidding. Yeah, no, that was, that was a bad one. That was bad one. That was pretty. But they didn't score run.

They didn't score. But overall, I thought, I thought, I thought, no, it was great. I do it again. I was as bummed as anything that Topper left him in there because I think he should know, could have this great moment, this great outing where it's like, you know, I know.

And keeping the game, I just thought it was such a massive mistake by top. It was. Yeah. All right. Not Sanchez. I don't think there's too much. You did get hit around.

The defense was also awful behind him as well. Yeah, a couple things on Sanchez. I mean, it was 11 hits, which was a lot of hits. Now, a couple of them, I think that, you know, Chapman over Kemp's head. I think like a good left fielder probably gets a good break.

It was hard at ball, but I think probably gets it. It was, but I think, he ran in instead of running back. Like I think a good left fielder has a chance he had that, nothing else. Obviously the trade play, you know, that was just a horrible play.

But like on the whole Sanchez did get it around a little bit. A little bit. So the thing that I think is interesting on Sanchez right now is his average velocity is about 94. Whereas, you know, last year I think it was like more like 96. So a little bit of decline in velocity. I was thinking his command hasn't been as rock solid. Now his stuff's still so good.

He's going to be able to gut his way through running through outings. And this did happen last. year where there was like a four start stretch where he had to like gut his way through it but it was still usually six innings and you know three runs or less so the stuff still so good but the velocity is one i think to kind of keep an eye on if he's going to be 94 versus where he was last year which is like 97 so you know that's one to kind of look at and i do think the command has been a little shoddy a little shoddy this year is there anything to be concerned about it i wouldn't say so i think that this is one of you kind of pitch your way through and he gets back to but and plus also you know

World Baseball Classic and things like that. Different spring, the normal and all that. Different spring. Overall, I thought Nola was I thought Nola was really, really good. It's unfortunate than the Deber's inning happened. And I did look at the numbers. They have changed. This is his curve ball a little bit. Because it does have

more depth to it. It's about a it's almost, it's up, it's up like the horizontal movement on it is like two inches less than it was last year. And the vertical move, they've tightened it up a little bit. It's not as loopy. So and and doing just mad. It's a dramatic amount.

And the, and the, um, the numbers are really good on it. It's like a 125 batting average with a 333 slug. So he's look good. Like other than giving up the Homer did ever is like, Knowles look solid. Like he's giving up Homer's in the first outing and stuff. But like for the most part, like I've been impressed when I've watched all a bitch. You know, it seems like he's carried over the WBC performances. And I think the one thing that's helped the, getting the curveball feel back or getting where it is right now is like it's helping get on top of the baseball more, which has kept this. fastball down unless you're facing

Raphael Devers where it was not down. I mean, that was like one of the more hitable pitches. Ball smoke. Right there. And I was, I was, I was,

I was really unimpressed with Devers all series long. Yeah, I mean, he was having a horrible series. He's just, I don't know, man. Like he does not look like the impact bat that he used to do.

I know it's a shame. I really thought when he was 21, 22, I thought he was, I think I said this on the pot where I was like, if I have to bet on like a sub 25 guy to get 3,000 hits, it would be him. Like,

I thought he was such a, great pure hitter. And he's not the same guy. Now that guy from me is McGonigle. I think McGonagall is a stone. Dude. He's local, local.

Yeah, a lot of won for fours recently. It's only fantasy related. Favorite to an AL rookie of the year? Yeah, I mean, that makes sense. Yeah,

it makes perfect. It's not surprising. No. He is the favorite. No. And then, and then Painter, I do want to talk about.

Because he. Undefeated in his starts, Jack. He was, just missing. Like it was, it was a crazy watch. So I did, I watched the highlights after I wasn't watching it live. It was a crazy watch. Did you say that for it? Oh yeah. Yeah. So I both nights, I fell asleep

from 850 to 940. Strong. See, naps are key, dude. But that's a dangerous time to nap. Oh, it's a horrible time nap. Then it's hard to get back to bed after. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But nothing a little you know, I got two things in nighttime tea that I take. Oh, look at you. Yeah. Come on. A little magnesium. Look at you. So, yeah. Well, yeah.

done. But then as soon as the head hit the pillow, so he woke up and he was up for a good two hours. So he probably went to bed around three, back up at seven o'clock. Anyway, the painter, it was, it was so stark when you're used to seeing major league pitchers

with command versus like not having command because every single batter it felt like it was two one, three one. He walked one guy, which is crazy because I think his boss, to strike ratio was made at one point it was like 34 strikes 27 balls unbelievable yeah he and he would but he was like just missing so I kind of thought he let the game speed up on him a little bit it felt like you know first road game you know I but at the same time his fastball got squared up a lot

which was the fear in in spring um I think with one of I think the the more and more what we watch painter the more and more it's just going to be so so so so cute for him to use all those secondaries to make sure the hitters are off of the fastball because it's almost like watching that game they try to have the same plan that they have with Wheeler which is like Sinkers in and power fastballs up and I just don't think he has the old school Wheeler fastball. You know, Sinker's a sick pitch. I think eventually as he gets older and he uses that more.

I think it's going to be one of his like a real weapon for him. But I think they're trying to use the old school Wheeler thing with him and he does not have that fastball in my opinion, the four scene fastball. Sinker I think they're actually very similar. but he really needs to make sure that those secondaries are over because it just gets the hitters off the fastball and it was a shame because he really was just missing. I do think it was impressive that in a night where he clearly didn't have it,

maybe it was a little cold fingertips that happens, happened to me my freshman year down in Virginia. It's the only reason why I'm sitting here today. Dude, I got blasted by Slippery Rock. Doc 25 team in the country and I was keeping the book. Noted power out Slipper Rye. I was keeping the book all game. And it was like 32 degrees.

I forgot gloves. And I couldn't feel my fingertips when I went to go pitch. I threw, I had only my fastball cutter as not cutting at all. It was tough. It was probably the hardest I've ever been hit in my life. It was a jarring experience. It was the first time I got like shelled, I think.

I got shelled. I got shelled then and I got shelled the day. So this is a good, this is, I don't know if anyone cares about this. No one cares about this. Yeah, they care.

So I was on a travel team or pitching where I was pitching down in Virginia. And I had Maryland there to see me. I had St. Joe's there to see me. I think Dartmouth is there to see me. D-1s, right? D-1's there to see me. Very fired up for it. We're playing at a field at a 250-foot fence and left field.

I allowed like three home runs for the first time in my life. Because this field was ridiculous. Short porch. The only reason I'm sitting here today. Anyway. Anyway. Anyway. So, but I thought it was impressive that in a night where he didn't have his stuff.

he still gutted out for and didn't let the game blow up. And, and they won the game. They kept the minute. He kept the minute. And I thought it was a notable Thompson moment with him where he just let him out there with the bases loaded and said, we got to figure out if you can sink or swim. Like, how are you going to handle this situation? And I was really nervous because I thought Painter, I thought Painter was like, mentally I'm out of this game. And I thought it's going to really blow up on their faces.

And had the game been at CVP, maybe a rise. going to hit a home run. It ended up being a sack fly, regardless. It was impressed to watch him work his way through that. And I think that's something that it was not the best, the analytical move or like managerial move. But it made sense. But it was one where they just want to figure out what the kid has. Yeah. And to your point about that influencing, Nola, you don't need to figure out what Noah has. I know. Can we know who he is? Yeah. No, I like that. I like that. Look, I like that he's willing to put the kid in that spot and, you know, see what he's got and give him a chance to get those reps and that understanding.

But especially in April. Yeah, in April. But again, you got to know your guys, you know better with Nolan. Yeah. And it's a shame because I think the, I feel like the only big, egregious, now it's the mistake. Oh, I don't think he's had one.

It's the only one I am. I didn't, uh, like, when was it, uh, when he went to Bagas on opening day, I didn't love that spot because they had, he basically went to one lefty, or for one lefty and then they had a bunch of righties coming up after, including Jake Burger crush his lefty. I was like, this just feels like a weird choice here. I know you're up five nothing. But like that, that's my point is that's it.

Like, that's the level I was at with Tom. I think he was have a good year. He got, he did get cute on opening day. Just pitching all the, I thought that was a mistake, but whatever. Yeah. Where are my gloves? Come on, heat. Any day now.

Winter is hard, but your groceries don't have to be. This winter, stay warm. Tap the banners who order your groceries online at voila. CA. Enjoy in-store prices without leaving your home. You'll find the same regular prices online as in-store. Many promotions are available both in-store and online, though some may vary. All right. Other things. So I did watch Wheeler. Watch Wheeler last night. From the weekend. You're talking about it. No, Wheeler pitched again yesterday. Wow, I'm not locked in. How was it? Oh, come on. Look at me. You're influencing hundreds of thousands of people on the morning. I know. Where's Ben Davis? Was he breaking down? No, no one even mentioned it. You guys. But if he got shot at it, but it would be. But if he got shot at it, but it people would have led with it. How was he? So he was good. He was good.

He had five shortouts, no hits in the first three innings. So that was encouraging. The fastball's an issue. Like, it's just, it's not good. The four seamers an issue.

It is, he's not generating much swing and miss with it. He's generating some soft contact, but again, it's like Painter, where it's like the guys are squaring him up all the time. the fastball, but they're also not swinging and missing at it. And they're not swinging and missing at the fastball.

And the thing with Wheeler... Is the velocity still down on it? The velocity is... So it started 94 and then in the fourth, it was back to 92 and a half, mostly. We might have to just accept that he's a 92 to 95 guy now versus 95. Like, I don't know. I don't know. We'll see.

I hope it comes back. It could be an arm strength thing. He's still working his way back theoretically, right? Could be. Could be. But I'm not sure about that. Like, I think we're all just saying it's going to come. back. It might come back. It might not go back. We need to start preparing for the reality that it might

not come back. He's still an effective pitcher. The off speed looks great. I think it's the best as curveballs look. The splitter's a really good pitch. And he's going to still be able to get out. But the thing that made Wheeler, Wheeler is the four seamer. And I don't see it. I don't see it. I think the sinker looks great. It's moving all over the place. Maybe you can use that. He's going to be effective. I just don't know if he's going to be one of the best pitches? sport. I don't know if he's going to be one of the best pitchers in this sport. So it was encouraging. He didn't get blasted. The inning that he allowed a run,

the inning he allowed a run was nonsense. I mean, just, just brutal minor league defense that would not happen at the big league level. And there was some big league-ish guys in the lineup, like Dylan Cruz was in the lineup. Robert Hassel was in the lineup. Sure. The Nationals minor leagues, yeah.

Yes, it was the Nats minor leagues. So I would say it was an encouraging start, but I still, the thing that's holding me back from he's back is, is the fastball velocity and the force of me being back to where it was. And even he talked out of the game about how like, because I think people left the game expecting him to say, I'm back. And even he was like,

not yet. I need a couple more starts up here. So we'll say we are on VLO. Yeah. And again, I'm not ready to say that he can't get it back yet because he's still ahead of schedule from what they originally told us. I mean, we originally thought June.

Like we were thinking June 1, and this guy might be back. And, you know, we're still a ways away from that. So I, it takes time to work strength back up. He had, didn't throw, like, his off season was very different than he normally has and all that. So, like, I'm not freaking out yet, but like, you know, it's a concern. It is, especially because when we talk about, like, I think that when we talk about the offense and what we expect from the lineup and we don't expect from the lineup, you know,

like it or not, it makes having Wheeler and Sanchez at the top of the rotation and Luzardo and having guys that can give you a gem every single time they go out to playoff game that much more important. Because you can't count on the inning. Yeah. So, we'll say. I'm not like,

it's a big we'll see. I just, I hope the velocity continues to trend up. But there is a world where we've got to prepare for it. If it does not. Yeah, I know. And that's fair.

Yeah. So we'll say. I don't know what Orion Kirkering did to the baseball gods, but what a sick joke it was. that the first battery phase hits a ground ball back out. It was unbelievable.

And just watching the panic in his eyes. It was unbelievable. It was maybe the most relatable moment I think I've seen on a baseball field ever where he's like in his head he's like, you got to be kidding me. Really? Like that's what they reward me with.

It was so messed up. I felt so bad. I felt so bad for it. I really did. So, but he overall looked fine. Like I totally went for that ball as a bleeder and he got past them and, you know, whatever. But I thought he looked.

I thought he looked fine. And I am in. intrigued by, so they claim, or they traded for Stuart Baroa yesterday. Not on hell Barrowa. No, no, no, a household name Stuart Barrowa. But, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, he might, so, like, Brian Delacruz is the one that people are talking about a lot as, he's only hitting 219.

I know he said a couple of home runs, but 219 at AAA. I don't know if that's going to super, super translate. I do love him. So Felix Reyes played left field last night for the Iron Pigs, which is one to obviously monitor. He also hit a home run, which is nice. I think he's hitting 260. But like, we do this every year where we, where I understand I can be guilty of it too,

where we look at the minority stats and we're like, get him up here, get him up here. Like, Otto Camp was hitting three. Yeah, 30 or whatever. With like a 1200 OPS and AAA, you know, and people are like, get them out. Yeah. So just we'll see. It is the biggest leap in sports. It's pretty big leap.

Yeah, it's massive. It's just, it's, it's, there's a, dude, to, to your point, I mean, there's a reason there's a quad A designation where it's like guys get at 350 in the minors and can't make it in the majors. Like it's like that. Like it's it's really hard. I know. So Stuart Burrow though, he can play every single outfield position. He's fast. Uh, not much pop. But I like the Dylan more of the outfield. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But he's, but he's, but he's fast. And legitimately a great defender. Well, they use their speed. Uh, you know, they got fast guys. They don't seem to like to use it as a, as a, the asset that they have.

Like, seriously. I know, like that, especially when you're not hitting, like, like, make things happen. Yes, put pressure on the freaking defense.

He never do it. Yeah. But I think Stuart Burrow is a run prevention. There you go. Type, uh, acquisition. Got it.

That's what they're, the, the new word, run prevention. So we got. Yeah. We're not a run producing. No.

We take, we take performance deansters. And we do not, we do not. have a run scoring strategy. We have run prevention strategy. Let's have the game, Jack. At least one of Craig Breslow.

Have you see, do you see that press conference the day? No, what do you say? He just sounds like a robot. It's crazy. Is he, the Red Sox? Yeah.

They've done some good things, but like, they've struggled to start the season. And also, can you please make Roman Anthony D.H? Man, that is the saddest thing in the sport right now is seeing that guy throw.

He can't throw. He can't throw it up. I mean, if you have it, look it up, like, look up just Roman Anthony throws. It's for a guy who is,

one of the best young hitters alive. He is. It is unbelievable how bad. I thought it was like a joke. My buddy Tommy's like, oh, yo, have you seen the Roman Anthony thing? Yeah,

I'm like, no, I didn't even realize. And I was like, he described it to me. And it was that much worse much of the videos. I couldn't believe it.

He's got a true noodle. A true noodle. Yeah, it's bad. Yeah. And then final thing is that happy Gagewood day. Gage Wood on the mountain night.

Looking forward to it. I love the thrashers, dude. I am so excited about the young stuff because there's Oh, it's, there's so much more. I'm becoming you. Yeah.

Dante had two hits last night. Let's go. I'm going to start following my like box scores now. You should. I might. I might. Six. You think I'm getting it.

You know what I was doing like 645 this morning? I was rewatching every Griffin Berkholder back from last night. I just, you see it. We're not in Conis too in the outfield. Ah, okay. Yeah. I mean.

Because that's a name you would think would bring up for a left field platoon or something like that potential to. Yeah. Yeah. Just hurt. He'll be back, I think. Aden's really swinging a bat now. Thank God.

Aidan's swinging a bat. So that's good. You're ready to play left. You love you, buddy. You're ready to play left, Aidan. But yes, it is a, I just promise that Griffin Park holder is good. I promise you he's good.

He has the look. Love it. I mean, it's a good aim, too. I know. It just feels like a baseball game. Guys stay healthy. All right. Diamondbacks.

Coming to town. Soroka tomorrow night. Got to love it. Jeroka. Is him been all right out there. Yeah. An immaculate inning earlier as you? it's always fun.

The debacks are frisky. Yeah. Debex have some frisci. Delmo and Carol and Arte and they got dudes. So Lazardo Soroka. And then you go, uh, who is,

uh, fought versus Taiwan. Yeah, there you go. Man, fought Franks. I so don't want to see that guy pitching and citizen.

And he's, he sucked since then. Anyway. Uh, and then Gallon Painter on Sunday's a little fun. Ooh, that is fun. We're Stacy.

The gal and Gall and family going to give us golf again. That'd be great. That would be great. One of the worst days of my life, for sure. Yeah. I don't like seeing a dime. Oh, it was such a horrible day.

Yeah, the dimex coming down. I don't like it. Two or three. Just please went two or three and hit some score some runs and make us feel better. I don't know if they have that and works. I don't either, but. I don't know, but. I don't know.

Either way, we'll be back to react to it after the weekend. We always are. Should be a blast. All right. Uh, please score runs. Until then, he's friends himself.