High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Would Pivetta Be Their Game 1 Starter and DRAFT DAY

Episode Date: June 3, 2019

Yes, the Phillies got outclassed by the Dodgers but Nick Pivetta dominated so did they lose the series? James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the series, preview the draft and much 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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This is the High Hopes Podcast. High Hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Philadelphia Phillies on Radio.com and Sports Radio 94 WIP. Yo! It is another edition of the IHOPs podcast. It's a big day.

Not for a lot of people, but for Jack Fritz. It's draft day, Jack. I'm so happy. How happy are you? No, I'm excited. I mean, literally, I watched... You woke up this morning with a twinkle in the eye. You knocking stuff down over there you're so excited we are we don't mess around i watched the 2018 under armor all american game today which i watched some of the

perfect game game from them from this year i'm all in it's all i've done all day i'm just i'm looking at mock drafts kylie mcdaniel our friend from the last podcast he put a new mock draft like i'm sitting on the edge of my seat like Like, look, let me just say it this way. There's a potential of a Hunter Bishop fall, and I'm here for it. Keith Law had Hunter Bishop to the Phillies at 14, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Also, Jackson Rutledge, my large 6'8 adult male son,

he is also supposedly falling. He might be there at 14. If either of those guys are at 14, the High Hope spot is organizing a streak down brush. Well, there's a room. You have to eat a shoe out there. Yeah.

Like, all right. Can I, can I dress shoe? Yes. All right. So we'll get to the draft coming up. We'll get to who Jack wants,

who he doesn't want. We'll get to that. But for the vast majority of our listeners, I care a lot more about the major league club. We'll dive into that. Start with shoe gate. And then we'll get into the most important thing that's ever happened in Philadelphia Phillies.

Nick Pavetta's start yesterday. I would like to think, by the way, before we get to this, I would like to think that the High Hopes podcast has made people care more about the draft. I think that's possible. Let me put that out there. It's a real possibility. We are cultivating smart fans in this fan base. How about this? I think the High Hopes podcast

has definitely made people care more about Nick Pavetta. Yeah, well that's for sure. That's for sure. So let's address ShoeGate because, you know, ShoeGate. A lot of people took this very seriously. So just to set the stage, Jack tweeted out prior to the weekend. I was very bored on a Friday night.

If Nick Pavetta goes five innings against the Dodgers, I'll eat a shoe. Right. That was what was put on Twitter. That was physically put on Twitter. It's out there. You know, I'm shocked at the reaction it got because I'm pretty sure I tweeted it out

like 10 o'clock at night on a Friday. It's like, what are you nerds doing? But I appreciate it. And let me just say that... Nick Pavetti did last five innings. Six, in fact. I mean, we'll get there. We'll get there.

Ooh, buddy. Highly disappointed in my Twitter following. I saw a lot of ads at all takes exposed. And I just... I'm so confused it's like what do they want you to do this is i am trying to help out i am not only did i bring us bryce harper i turned around nick pavetta this is the power that the mush holds everyone's adding old takes exposed i'm just like do you not understand what i'm doing here like there's no one just are

we just off on what I'm trying to do? And everyone's taking it very, very literally. I'm not eating a shoe. I mean, if I need to, I'll eat a shoe. But can we relax? It was like, Jack Fritz, I'm watching you. It's like, what is wrong with you people? It's obvious.

It's what I'm trying to do. I don't know. Come on. I need people to have some fun for once. On Twitter. So you're not eating a shoe? I'm not eating a Come on. I need people to have some fun for once. On Twitter. So you're not eating a shoe? I'm not eating a shoe. Do I need to put one in my mouth?

Can I just put it in my mouth? I don't think that would satisfy people. Okay, well then, sorry, I'm not eating a shoe. I didn't want to watch you eat a shoe anyway. We're good. Yeah, no one needs to see that. Keep using your powers for good, Jack.

That's all I'm trying to do. Don't let anyone get to you. They have. Just embrace it. Well, I muted it, so I can't even see what's going on see yeah i mean our boss is involved yeah he's of course he's any way to make me look bad he'll try to do all right let's talk some phillies uh not the best weekend jack i mean we'll get to we'll get to sai pavetta but on the whole takeaways from what at times they fall hard and all that

but ultimately they went to LA and they got swept. Yeah, and they got swept obviously, everyone knows that but it's weird, James. I'm not that upset about it. Wow, look at you. You have Jackie positivity over here. Jackie good thoughts. Because I think that they were

close to winning those games and I thought that, obviously the Sunday game got out of hand. Yeah, but no, it was 0-0 into the sevens. Right, right, right. And I thought Saturday was just a good baseball game, very easily could have won, whatever. I think... House of horrors for Hector Neris.

Yeah, it can't do it. It's unbelievable. Can't do it. But I just think that they compete against a Dodgers team. I think the Dodgers are at another class, and I think it opened up the Phillies' eyes to what they need. Yes. That is the takeaway right there, Jack.

If you want to get into the Dodgers class, which they won't do this year, what I came away thinking was that they have too many holes to fill at one deadline. And I also came away thinking, I don't want any one of your guys. So I don't want Baumgartner. I don't want Will Smith. Oh, no. Because it's not worth it. Because you just feel like this year they're not winning the World Series,

so why add resources to something for this season? I think Bumgarner is a piece that puts you over the top rather than gets you, like, I think Bumgarner needs to be added to a team that's already kind of set. We'd be viewing Bumgarner as, like, our 08 CC, and he's not 08 CC. You know what I mean? That didn't work out for the Brewers.

Well, I know it did. People forget that Shane Victorino took him yard. But like I just, I want, if you're going to make a trade this year,

I just want more multi-year guys. Like if you're going to make a big trade, obviously the minor trades, like Jay Bruce trade, fine. They give up,

yeah, we'll get to the Jay Bruce. Right. Fringe moves, I'm cool. But like, if you're going to, I don't want to give away like a Haisley,

these kind of prospects for a one-year rental. I just don't think it's going to happen this year. When I watch the Dodgers team, it's like they have the depth. They have the good version of Jared Eickhoff coming out of their bullpen. Yeah, Ross Stripling is the good version of Jared. There's no question about that. That's what we want Jared Eickhoff to be, and he comes out of their bullpen. If Ross Stripling were on this team, he'd be our third starter.

And maybe even our second starter. Second starter. Yeah, and he's out of their bullpen. If Ross Strymon won this team, he'd be our third starter. And maybe even our second starter. Second starter. Yeah. And he's a bullpen guy. Julio Urias, piece of whatever as a person, but would probably be a top three starter for the Phillies right now. They've got two guys in their pen who could be a top three, top four starter for the Phillies. Their only flaw is getting through like the seventh

inning. They have an ERA in the eighths in the seventh inning, so they'll get one bullpen guy. Yeah, it's the Pedro Baez's of the world and all that. Yeah, and they have matchups for righties, lefties. They have their closer. Offensively and defensively matchup for righties and lefties. Yeah, so they'll get one bullpen guy. It's the Pedro Baez's of the world and all that. Yeah, and they have matchups for righties, lefties. They have their closer. Offensively and defensively matchup for righties and lefties. Yeah, so listen, I just think that this weekend, I think the Phillies have the makings. They have a good core.

I think the Phillies have a very solid core. They just don't have the fringe pieces to that. They don't have the complementary pieces to that. They don't have the full roster fully made out yet. I thought they competed. I thought they played hard. I thought the Pavetta star was obviously amazing. The Pavetta star could be a turning point for the entire season. It could be a turning point for his career.

Who knows? I mean, it could be. It could be. It was easily the biggest start of his career and gave us one of the best starts of his career against maybe the best lineup he's ever faced. Certainly one of the best he's ever faced. For sure. That's the Pavetta that we saw in spring training. And that's a guy that you could envision

starting a playoff game for you. I mean, that's the kind of... He looked like he was ready for a big game. He did, man. Bulldog Pavetta on there. Maybe I'm not as down because of the Harper home run on Saturday and the Pavetta start on Sunday. Maybe that's why I'm not as down. But I left the weekend just thinking the Dodgers are in another stratosphere. And I thought the

Phillies played hard against them. Yeah. See, I'm more down than you are for the reason that it felt like the Dodgers were in another stratosphere and I guess that hits me a little not that I didn't know it but it still hits me a little harder than it hits you I however look the Dodgers are clearly a better team depth everything we talked about and and look they can still make moves too it's not the only the Phillies going out making moves the Dodgers can still add to what they have. We saw them do it last season at the trade deadline. But look, baseball, I've seen too many times where a team gets into the playoffs hot and makes a run. I think that this team is good enough to make a run.

They're good enough to get hot at the right time, get some good pitching performances, and win a seven-game series. So I'm not totally against the Bumgarner, Will Smith type guys. And with Bumgarner, I think you're making that trade with the hope to sign him to a deal as well, I would think. If you can do an extension upon the trade,

totally in. That's a different story. Sure. So I understand your position. I don't totally disagree with it, but I'm okay still saying, hey, this team is good enough to make a run. I'm not saying they're the favorite in the National League or the World Series, obviously, but they're good enough.

They've got enough there to make a run with some pieces added. Agreed. They have top-end talent. I would say they have top-end talent, but right now, if I'm going into a playoff series, I think you have a black hole at third base and you don't totally...

Black island. Yeah. Mike L Island's not doing well. It's actually started to sink under the water, Jack. The island itself is going to be gone soon. It's getting there. 150 in his last... You see that? Corey Seidman, before the Sunday game put out, in his last 100 at-bats, he's batting

150. Well, he's the best eight-holder in baseball. How sad is it that he's like probably lower tier number eight hitters at this point? You know what's funny? Well, not funny, but somehow he's down to 210 when he was batting 280 for the first month of the season. It's been a dramatic, dramatic drop off. He's been really, really, really bad for a while now.

Epically bad. So you have the third base thing. You have center field, which you're not sure on. No bench. I mean, yesterday I had a pinch hit Phil Gosselin in the sixth inning, and I don't blame him for taking out Pavetta. I think that was the right move. I do too.

You needed a run. That was the second time all game you had a runner on second base. It's a 0-0 game. Plus, forgetting the offensive part of it, you got six brilliant innings from Nick Pavetta. If he goes out and gives up even a run, you start to feel less good about that start in his head. I just think it was a spot where, sure, I'd love to have Pavetta for another inning, but I'm taking the chance it runs there. And you know what I would have liked in that situation?

Jay Bruce. Yeah, absolutely. Granted, lefty on the hill, but yes, that's why they got Jay Bruce. Let's talk about Jay Bruce because, look, I think there's no one alive who can look at that deal and say it wasn't a good deal just on a basic level for the Phillies. They gave up a potential utility guy, most likely, and they're only paying $2.75 million of the salary the next two years. You're getting Jay Bruce for under a million and a half a year. I mean, I don't see any downside to it. I don't't see any downside but i do think people are going a little overboard with how

like amazing the deal it was listen jay bruce is a bench player no i know i i'll get some starts but i just think it's a little i'm there's something fishy about getting jay bruce for i don't get it like it makes no sense yeah like what is what is the upside for the mariners there they did give us gene segura maybe clint i has pictures of DePoto or something. But that's what I'm worried about. They're paying $18 million off the contract, which I don't think they had to do. Well, apparently that's their philosophy. Have you seen this?

Apparently the Mariners are... First of all, they were 13-2 to start the season, and now they're the first team to be selling, which is pretty amazing in and of its own, right? I'm shocked that team didn't last. Yes, who could have seen that coming? But apparently they're saying, hey, we want to make deals and we're willing to its own right. I'm shocked that team didn't last. Yes, who could have seen that coming? But apparently they're saying, hey, we want to make deals and we're willing to take on money.

I just, how do you not get anyone back? I don't get that. That's the whole point of taking on money. That's what I was worried about. They must really like Jake Shiner. That's the only possible explanation for this deal is they think Jake Shiner's good. That's it.

I guess so. Right? I was worried. What other takeaway is there? When I saw that they were going to pay $18 million, I thought it was going to be like N-Yell or like someone that I could actually see being good. Or I thought it was wrong and it's like,

oh no, we're paying the $18 million, not they are. It makes no sense. I know. So something a little fishy maybe. I'm in. Listen, I don't care that he's batting.212. The guy's OPS over.800. He had 14 home runs.

And listen. And he hits right into pitching. You need a guy then come in and provide some kind of pop. an OPS over 800. He had 14 home runs. And listen. And he hits right into pitching. You need a guy you need a guy to come in and provide some kind of pop.

Because Nick Williams wasn't hit this year. He had one home run. He's batting 160. And especially if you're looking in this division you look at every bullpen in the division

not a lot of great left-handed relievers. Like there really aren't when you look through this division. So this opportunity where if he is coming off the bench

it's going to be harder for teams to match up with something that's really going to hurt you in those situations as well. And if they need to, when Real Muto has a day off, he can be in the five hole. And so it's not Cesar in the five hole. I actually, I like that. Look, even, and I wouldn't move Real Muto,

but like theoretically from a lineup versatility standpoint against a really tough righty, maybe even go Bruce five, Real Muto six, then you get the lefty righty lefty righty lefty righty throughout which is something you can you do that

so and and I there like J Bruce can still barrel the baseball he is the most he's high his highest barrel percentage since that cast started high this is a little tease

by the way for my final thought I'll just say that and I'll keep going okay yeah so he's the highest his highest barrel percentage in 2015 highest hard hit percentage like the guy's still squaring up fastballs um he's just he's just a launch angle guy that's what he's like he's he's right now he's a better version of what matt stairs was when they got him in 2008 so listen there's there's

no downside to it i mean it's not like jake shiner's gonna come back and bite you um and it's we hope we think he's not and it's two million dollars like for the next two years i'm i'm floored by it i really i it was a great trade but again you're right in the sense that i think people are getting really excited about the trade when it's jay bruce is not changing this season one way or the other he's a nice addition they didn't have a lefty power bat off the bench because nick williams sucks you had to do that? I had to. I don't like it. Anyway. It's funny, because the original Nick Williams hater, Jack Fritz, based on Aaron Altair, is now the guy defending Nick Williams. I'm not defending Nick Williams.

It really comes around. You're trying to trade Nick Williams for Will Smith. I'm like, why? How's that happening? Because I want him to build up some value so I can put him in a trade. Yeah. That's what I want. Didn't work out well. I know, because he sucks.

I don't know. I mean, I was right that he sucks, but I still want to trade him in a deal. I'm with I want. Didn't work out well. I know, because he sucks. I don't know. I mean, I was right that he sucks, but I still want to trade him in a deal. I'm with you. I do too. I would love to. I wish he had some kind of value, but now the team's going to get him

for nothing probably. But yeah, it was a fine deal. It's good. It's going to help. And there's no downside to it. The worst case scenario is he all of a sudden can't hit fastballs anymore. Which I think is unlikely.

He's only here to mash. He's only here to mash. He's only here to mash. All right, let's get back to the weekend and kind of go through the games. A couple other things I want to talk about. Look, I think we both said, I don't know if we said it on the podcast, but I know we said it to each other. I think we might have even said on the podcast that we felt it was incredibly likely they were going to lose that game one after the getaway day here,

flying out to the West Coast. You didn't feel good about that one. I didn expect jay gary had to suck so hard on friday night not a great outing not a great matchup for jake but what'd you see from jake uh what i saw what i saw was that the dodgers have a very clear offensive plan six straight lefties against him you think to start the game yeah yeah but but when i'm watching them at the plate they're so they're so one pitch one spot that it's it like blows my mind i've never really seen a team do this before so when i was watching all their lefties like it's almost they have it's almost like they have this plan as to where they know where a guy's gonna miss and with what pitch so like if you watch pivetta

all sunday the reason why he was so dominant was because he was just peppering the outside corner and they're they're they're launch guys, like Seager. Muncy and Seager and Peters and all these guys. Verdugo, Bellinger. He was just peppering the outside corner and they couldn't lift that ball. You can't lift that ball. He owned Bellinger's soul, by the way. We'll get there. And if you want to take it the opposite field and get a single out of it, the Phillies will take that over a home run. And he was just peppering the outside corner. So what Arrieta kept doing with that he was kind of okay hitting the outside corner of the sinker and getting that down but when he missed he was missing with his slider

up and over the middle of the plate and just like it feels like the dodgers knew where he misses with his slider and we're just pouncing on it like there's there's such a there's such a one sounds like they're very uh well researched planned out oh maybe maybe this hitting coach guy who never played in the majors, maybe that's working out pretty well. Yeah, maybe it's good. Maybe we can have O-Chart replace Maitley next year. In. Let's go.

That's what it seemed like to me. Watching them, it was like they're so detailed. They did not miss mistakes, and that's because I think it has to do with their plan. I don't think they're stealing signs. I don't think they're cheating, any of that stuff. I just think that they have such a detailed... They know where you're going to miss. They know where hot zones are.

They know where the tendencies are. And when Arrieta missed, it was dingers. Like, dingers, dingers, dingers. So, I just think that Arrieta struggles against lefties. Lefties have been mashing him, and he went up against a horrible matchup for lefties. And when he misses, he can't miss with a slider over the middle of the plate.

So that's where I'm at on Friday. No. So it sounds great for a potential playoff matchup down the road against the Dodgers. We should feel good about Jake. Well, I'm just like, that team, remember last year when you were watching them, it was like, they've got strikeout problems. They don't have that anymore. Oh, good.

They don't. I know. Like, Bellinger's reduced his strikeout rate by, I think, like 10%. I mean, Bellinger is just... Guy's awesome. Yeah. He's just really good. But he got owned by Nick Pavetta.

Let the record show that. That's all that really matters in this world. He got sunned. He looks silly against Nick Pavetta a couple times, which is nice. Who even is Cody Bellinger? Jack, I can't believe we are now 16 and a half minutes into the podcast, and we haven't talked about, I mean, no offense I think we've added the most important thing that happened all weekend

the opener Jack! Oh yeah. The opener! And it worked! It did work. What did you think of the opener? I think they didn't have a choice. Well obviously they didn't

I mean Eflin did the DL we'll get to that in a sec. Yeah they didn't really have a choice. It's fine. I don't I've long I don't love the opener but I actually

Because you're a pitcher that's why. But I didn't I didn't mind it. Like I thought I was going to hate it a lot like I was going to the game thinking I'm long, like, I don't love the opener. Because you're a pitcher, that's why. But I didn't, I didn't mind it. Like, I thought I was going to hate it a lot. Like, I was going to the game thinking I'm going to hate this. And then I left the game thinking, eh, it wasn't too bad. It worked well.

It wasn't too bad. So, uh. Jose Alvarez doesn't suck. Starter. He might not suck. How about that? He's been good for about a month now. Yeah.

No, he's better than we all thought. The opener, I don't want it to be a thing they use a lot. Listen, I just think the opener is bad for baseball. I'm that's what that's your thought i know but in terms of winning games it could be good for winning games in certain situations it does work uh i thought it were i mean the execution of it the game plan of it it felt like they they've been thinking about it for a while it wasn't like they just kind of spurned it they were like listen we don't have a choice um i read today that gabe went to all the players. He went to the leaders on the team and explained to them why they were thinking about doing this and if

they would feel comfortable in having the opener. I mean, good for Gabe, but like, wow. I mean, because last year, I think he had this thing where he would just do whatever and wouldn't console the players. No, I love that he did that. I just, the idea that in a pinch spot, because Zach Eflin went on the

DL, you would have to warn the team, hey, we're going to use an opener, really shows the level of discomfort there is with that notion in Major League Clubhouses. Yeah, well, and respect for Gabe for doing it. Respect to the Rays for being able to just get everyone to buy it and roll with it. When you win with it, it's not exactly hard to convince you. Try it to win with it. That's the key. It's not hard to convince you. The Rays tried it. They won with it. It's like, oh, when you win with it, it's not exactly hard to... Try it to win with it.

That's the key. It's not hard to convince you. The Rays tried it. They won with it. It's like, oh, this is good. It is good. So it worked. I don't think it's going to...

I really don't think that they want it to be an occurrence. I don't think they either. I don't think they do either. I think they'd prefer a guy to give them six, seven. But it worked. It was fine. It was an interesting watch. I like when Gabe thinks like that.

I enjoyed it. I had fun watching that. And not because it was the best game of the weekend, but I enjoyed the opener. I was an interesting watch. I like when Gabe thinks like that. I enjoyed it. I had fun watching that game. And not because it was the best game of the weekend, but I enjoyed the opener. I enjoyed the whole thing. Just envisioning how mad people were getting about it. Oh, it was great. Yeah.

Oh, love it. Yo, yo. Yeah, is Gabe using a frickin' opener again? Yeah, this guy's getting this coconut oil lovin'. He's using Hayes Alvarez? You see him opening the week, and the guy's stonked, man. That's all I'm saying. And now that guy's starting a game?

You freaking kidding me? Yeah, Gabe, this freaking Kapler doesn't know what he's doing. He's freaking in Colerver in the fourth. That guy's a starter, man. What is this guy

trying to reinvent the wheel? That was an actual call to WIP that we just played. I just cut it up. Yes, that was Joe from Delco calling in. Yeah, I think there were a lot of people who sound like that saying, yeah was Joe from Delco calling in. Yeah, I think there were a lot of people who sound like that

saying, yeah, I'm turning this game off. I will not watch this, man. Bryce's biggest homer is a Philly. Shame it didn't turn out to mean more. I think obviously the homer in Washington, the bat flip, like in terms of just the show of it was maybe a bigger moment for him, but in terms of

importance to the team and the game and the season, no bigger homer he's hit than that eighth inning home run. Well, he's so unclutched that I was shocked he could even concentrate in that situation. I couldn't believe you. I was actually able to swing the bat. The game on the line, what are you going to do? Just so unclutched.

Yeah, it was a big moment for Bryce. He loves playing in Dodger Stadium when he got his first hit as a major leaguer in Dodger Stadium he if all things considered equal I think he would have

liked to have been a Dodger I heard he's gonna sign there he's got his was he playing for the Phillies this weekend? that's the word on the street and I just think he and the crowd

again with the booing of Bryce Harper I think it's so weird every place he goes that's the new thing it's like why are you booing him? it's respect

I love it boom everywhere he goes respect say if the new thing. It's like, why are you booing him? I love it. Boom, everywhere he goes, respect. Say, if you care enough to boo that guy, that means that he matters. I guess so. Yeah, it's fine. I just think it's weird. But yeah, no, that was an awesome moment. It was like 1.30 in the morning.

I was like, I'll hype it. It was great. I was a little tired. And then all of a sudden, he hit it out. I was like, we're back. Yeah. And then it just happened. And we can't get mad at Hector

he's been great yeah let's relax people for some reason that dude steps into Chavez Ravine and sucks yeah and he had to hit a little bit

home run to Will Smith Philadelphia's own the other other other Will Smith yeah there's so many Will Smiths there's too many I did not know

this one existed I'll be completely honest you know we both watched a lot of baseball. Had no idea the Dodgers had a catcher named Will Smith. There's too many Will Smiths. Yes, there's too many in baseball. There's too many popular Will Smiths.

There can be a lot of Will Smiths, but there's only one Will Smith. There's other Will Smiths. Tom McCarthy or someone mentioned it. What if you have a Will Smith versus Will Smith with Will Smith behind home plate? That's a great point. He walked out to the... I know. That's a great point. I mean. Well, he walked out to the. I know. That was lame.

That's not cool. Yeah. I kind of hate him for that. Yeah. I wish Hector plunked him for that. Should have plunked him. Unwritten rules. Would have saved him the game.

Unwritten rules, baby. Who knew? Unwritten rules. You walked out to our Philly song. You're going down, bro. Listen, no one knows who the unwritten rules are, so I just made that up. That's a new unwritten rule. Well, Jackie Unwritten Rules, you're technically in charge.

You are the master of the unwritten rules i am so i am whatever you want yeah because listen you'll know the unwritten rules when they happen that's all i'm saying all right uh pivetta obviously we talked about it anything else from the pivetta start that really stood out to you do i have anything else from the pivetta just empty the pivetta i mean buddy like what are you talking about here? Jesus. I mean, buddy. Come on, man.

Go. Let me just start. Nick Pavetta, go. Let me just start off by saying this. It feels good being dead right about Nick Pavetta. Because you're not, you know, you're waiting the appropriate amount of time

to take a victory lap. No, just... One start, let's go. One start, everyone knows the rules. But, no, he was... I mean, we're dead right i mean he's amazing he's clearly the ace of the staff at this moment um if we need to start a playoff game right now pavetta's on the mound um playoff pavetta wildcard pavetta we're all back um he was just like dude the fastball is like 95 again. It had jumped to it. It was getting up to 97, 98, too.

His curveball was disgusting. And, all right, so I came up with this theory watching because I was like, man, he's throwing, like, a lot of curveballs. It felt like it was almost every pitch was a curveball. It was unbelievable. And he needs to do that because... As we've talked about on this pod multiple times. It makes everything else in his...

Well, he doesn't have a big arsenal, but, like, it makes his fastball look way, way, way better. So I looked it up today today and his usage rate yesterday was like 41 curveballs 13 sliders and 49 fastballs i'm pretty sure and i was i was wondering he's kind of following the patrick corbin breakout uh plan because remember remember corbin like for corbin it's the slider right right yeah yeah so corbin like three years ago or two years ago, was trying to mix in all these pitches to go along with this fastball slider thing. And then he kind of was just like, screw it.

I'm just going to throw my slider. My slider's awesome. I'm just going to throw that a lot. So I wonder if they're like, hey, throw this. I think this feels like to me, I don't know this for a fact, but it feels like to me a Chris Young implemented plan. He's all about getting balls that spin and throwing as much as possible. And I think that they have a new game plan for Pavetta saying,

hey, throw it a lot. You need to throw it a lot because if you try to throw two fastballs and then a curveball too, you're just going to crash. It's not going to work. And your slider isn't good enough to scare anybody. But his slider yesterday, it was the first time I ever believed in his slider it was like i mean that's a big statement i mean so you're saying he's almost Curt Schilling no he's a splitter away we've established that um but but the slider the slider was hard it had bite it was the hardest he's thrown a slider all season so i didn't know if there's a concerted

effort to throw it harder thinking to get more bite to it um i saw some of the sliders coming in like 89 and it was like that's disgusting um it also it was a it was a really really good slider and i think what we learned what we saw yesterday which is interesting is nick pivetta kind of morphing into a pitcher a little bit so for the first through fourth innings it was just fastball curveball and then when he got into the game started breaking off a slider to go along with the curveball let's listen giving them something else to see, third time through a lineup. I mean, third time through the lineup numbers are bad for Pavetta. They were really bad.

So if you start mixing in another pitch third time through the lineup, that could theoretically get you through that inning better or get through the third time better. And it was easy from Pavetta. It was easy breezy Nick. It was an unbelievable performance. And just like that's what we saw in spring training. And that's why you believe in a guy like Pavetta.

Like, you believe in that level of stuff. Like, people are like, why did you ever believe in that guy? Because look at it. Like, it's disgusting. Because not every pitcher can do that. Like, Cole Irvin can never do that. Like, Cole Irvin, no matter how great a start he has, his start on Mother's Day, like, he can't look like that. Cole Irvin doesn't how great a start he has his start on Mother's Day like he can't

look like that Cole Irvin doesn't have stuff like that no and and that's what what makes Pavetta so tantalizing and when he's he's like an analytics darling he's fastballs up and he's a hammer spin rate curveball it's what he is yeah and if he can develop that splitter along with it for a third time through the lineup if he can have a a breakdown of 45% curveballs and 50-some percent fastballs, that's just a good, solid plan because guys will not know what's coming. They're both hard. They're both coming out of the same arm slot.

And I just think that that start on Sunday, for as down as people are about getting swept by the Dodgers, if you get Nick Pavetta to turn this around... Oh, it's a way bigger deal than any one series. It doesn't matter. The game doesn't matter. If you can get Pavetta to turn into the breakout pivetta like you're adding a starter the deadline that you didn't know you'd have basically so a third starter potentially a

second starter if the stuff's that great and if you can do it consistently again one one start yeah but like but why can't he do that like why can't he do that again i don't know i don't know i'm with you that i'm i agree with you i think that it's there we've seen it like it's in him he can do it i'm a i say all the time that the whole old baseball hq thing once you've displayed a skill you own it you can repeat it and we've seen the nick pavetta can do it and i mentioned before i think in my mind easily the biggest start of his career when you look at everything combined the the fact that they're playing the best team in the national league the fact that they're playing the best team in the National League, the fact that they're trying to avoid a sweep, the fact

that he's trying to cement a place in the rotation, there are just so many... And the fact that all those lefties... And it's a bunch of lefties against him who've owned him his whole career. I thought it was such an important start. I don't know how you... Again, one start, but I don't know how you couldn't be incredibly encouraged about Pavetta after something. And his pace.

He was getting the ball, and he's getting up on the roll baby he's like anti Vince Velasquez dude like that's I know it's because of me but like that's what it was like watching me in high school to your return by the way did you see that all your stats

everything hurts let me just say that everything hurts in my body six innings 11 K Ks, one hit. What is this guy? That poor team. I mean, it wasn't great, but like, honestly, this is going to say, I felt like Walker Bueller. Like the fastball, the fastball was rising. Only like seven, 17 miles slower, six, 15 miles slower.

You don't know how hard I was throwing. It wasn't 97, was it? No, but similar rise. No, but man, I was... We would have thought you and Nick Pavetta would both come back and have a dominant start the same day. I think I... Listen, great pitching staffs fuel each other.

They talk about the 90s breaks. It's a good point. They would go out there, Gladman would shove, then Mack would shove. Maybe this is... And Smoltz would shove. Maybe this is me and Pavetta. I go out and dominate, push him to another level,

get him to see that tweet before the game and say, man, I got a one-up jack. That's tough to do. It's impossible. It's tough to do. Just got to do my best

is what he should have said. Honestly, I'm shocked it was even close. I put out... You put out a pretty damn good start. I had 11Ks in six innings. He was almost there. He's nine and six.

I know. That's pretty good. Better competition,nings. He was almost there. He's nine and six. I know. That's pretty good. Better competition. Who knows? Could be either. Someone said the Dodgers are a little better than the... Probably.

Dude, I'll tell you what. Directly, guys. It was not great. It was not great competition. But listen, the kid had to do what the kid had to do. You can't control

who you play, baby. Hey, man. Play who's in front of me. That's right. That's all we can do. Just like Pavetta on Sunday against the Dodgers where he sunned Cody Bellinger.

Listen, is Cody Bellinger... How can he even be the MVP right now? Listen, Nick Pavetta two weeks ago was walking Tim Tebow, and now he's owning Cody Bellinger. Not my MVP. To great point. Yelich would never. Don't say that,

because Nick Pavetta's probably going to have to face Yelich. Nope. In the NLCS? It didn't go well the first time. In the NLDS. Yes, there you go. Look at you. Yelich versus Pavetta.

If you need to start a playoff start right now, is Pavetta on the mound? Over Nola? It's Nola. You sure? Are you sure? Did you see that start yesterday? Look, I will definitely say that that version of Pavetta that we saw yesterday, again, and the whole issue is being consistent with it and doing it all the time, but version of bevetta we saw yesterday is the second best pitcher on this team

yeah when we see that guy and you are full this is great i try to keep i tried to keep it in for 30 35 minutes it's over yeah well just let loose i know well that's why that's why i'm so like i'm so not down after the weekend it's that's why That's why I'm so like I'm so not down After the weekend That's why Let's be real Yeah We should have figured this out

And opposite field Harper I mean Anytime I can get Opposite field Harper It's just So sexy I can't even stand it Speaking of

Guys you can count on Pitching wise Eflin to the DL Back tightness You're all worried And what's your take On those situations I'm glad it's not the knees.

I mean, if it's the knees, I'd be more worried. I think he... Maybe just needed a rest or two. Opportunity presented itself. Not a great matchup anyway. It's like, hey, get beat up by the Dodgers or we go opener. Gabe was frothing in the mouth to use the opener. Gabe was like, I got to do this.

Sorry, Zach. You need a seat for a week. You got to do it. I got to do it. We're playing my old team. I got to do it. I got to show how smart I am Yes

Yes That's my theory But yeah That is a very believable theory Oh cause he knew he had Pavetta going It's a very believable theory Well he had Ariat on Friday That's what I'm saying

And then he had the ace on Sunday Yes So he just figured he could use The bullpen game Pavetta's sick shutout with 9 Ks and it took them 82 pitches. Who is that? Three hits.

How many walks, Jack? Zero. Zero walks. Yeah. How about that? And he's pounding the zone, too. Like, I'm almost speechless when I think about it. I rewatched the whole start today.

Of course you did. Oh, my God. Better the second time? Yeah. Did you stop watching after the sixth inning? That's what I would have done. Yes. Of course I did.

Quickly, Velasquez. Get get out of here just done with him you know you okay no why would i be done why why because he's not good i know he's not good but they have no one in the bullpen they can throw hard and that was his second straight game i don't know i just yeah he's gonna take a little while to learn how to pitch out the bullpen oh oh wait you're seeing it wait wait wait wait wait wait how do we not talk about this velasquez is tipping every pitch oh yes duh you texted me about it like six times right and i was a little disappointed it took you so long to respond yes uh because i was literally sitting on my couch like yelling at the tv like what are you doing so so vince velasquez i look at my phone i got like six times like

velasquez tipping his pitches are you seeing this why aren't you answering me do you see that he's tipping his pitches i just want to make sure I wasn't taking crazy pills. So Velasquez, every time he gets in the game, now he's going out of the stretch solely, so he'll lift his leg, double pat the ball if it's a fastball, or he'll keep his glove in when it's an off-speed pitch. You're telling me at home plate, if you see a guy lift his leg, go into his glove, you're not going to see that?

Of course you're going to see that. And then when he's not going to do it? Of course you're going to see it. A hitter would notice that in two pitches. He'd be like, oh, got it. Yeah. It's just, it's crazy to me that they haven't noticed it. How have they not noticed it?

I don't know. Because, I don't know. What are you doing, Chris? Chris listens. Chris. Maybe they have. It's just he can't break the habit. Great.

Even better. Well, sometimes when you're really trying to gas it up a little bit like you'll kind of do the extra i i get where he's coming from like it may it helps him stay back but if you're gonna do it do it every time that's the thing like that's the thing with tipping pitches is that you if you're gonna do something that is a bad habit like you're gonna double pat your glove when you're gonna throw a off-speed pitch too right and it doesn't matter it's not a tip anymore yeah so i mean tipping pitches listen this happens all the time. And people will tip pitches and then they'll stop.

With arm slots, you'll see it a lot. All kinds of stuff. They'll stop tipping and be fine. Listen, I don't know, man. I don't think Velasquez. I thought Nola might be tipping his pitches. Yeah. I thought Eikhoff was.

A lot of people think that Craig Kimbrell was during the postseason. That's why he got. Which makes a ton of sense. So. And we'll get to that in a second. So, Velasquez, I don't know. Like, I'm willing to see if it's going to work out, because who else are you going to put in the bullpen?

Yaxel Rios? No. No. Everyone's hurt. Everyone's hurt, man. Yaxel, for someone who just clearly has stuff, that dude just never puts together. No, he's horrible.

Yeah, he's not good. He's horrible. Not good. All right, we'll get to the draft in a second. I can't believe you've made it 33 minutes with only a quick mention. So we'll get to that in a sec. But first, along with the draft, anything else from the weekend, by the way? And we'll look at the Padres as well.

The Padres series. Oh, I think one thing we have to start factoring into when the Phillies struggle is I'm wondering if they go as far as Gene Segura goes. One for 18 this weekend. One for 18. Gene is the straw that stirs the drink. Some have said that before. It's possible.

When you think about all the times when they're really rolling offensively, Gene is involved. He is. So Gene Segura, I mean, he was bad against the Cardinals. I mean, all season he's been bad against the Cardinals. I know they took two or three, but whatever. And then into the Dodgers series, he's now batting under 300. Wow, really?

Yeah. Oh, no. Who would have thought? Cesar, the only player on the team batting over 300. Yeah. If I told you on June 3rd there would be one player batting over 300 on the team, what guess would Cesar have been coming into the season? Fan six? I want to know what Cesar's numbers are since you said

that Cesar blows. You're welcome. Alright? I do what I have to do, justesar's numbers are since you said that Cesar blows. You're welcome. All right? I do what I have to do, just like Jack in this shoe. What can I say? What can I say? So, yeah, Segura, one for 18. Something to keep an eye on.

I think he's a catalyst for this team. Him getting on base. It makes sense. Him moving McCutcheon over him if he gets on first. If McCutcheon walks in the first inning, Segura's been really good for most of the season of getting him over to third or just moving him along, doing his job. Didn't do his job against the Dodgers,

so one to monitor for sure. That's definitely worth monitoring. All right, draft tonight. Quickly, last night at midnight, with the draft being tonight, finally the draft pick compensation has been taken off Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrell. It seems Dallas Keuchel isn't even on their radar,

at least if you believe all the reports out there. Apparently, Kimbrell very much on their radar. Where do you stand with this whole situation? It's tough because I don't think either are any good anymore. I think Keuchel could be. I just think it's going to take time for him to get ready. I think he's going to take a little bit to build up, and plus he's such a ground ball guy.

Yeah. I'm also to the point where I would almost I would rather pay Keiko than Kimbrel. Me too. It's no question. They're not going to do it though.

No. I don't think they get either guy but it seems like they're far more interested. It feels like they're not interested in Keiko at all. Yeah. Which is strange to me

because as we've talked about a lot there are a lot of relievers on the market or potentially you look at the teams that are bad the teams that will be selling it seems like there's going to be a fair strange to me because as we've talked about a lot there are a lot of relievers on the market or potentially you look at the teams that are bad the teams that'll be selling seems like there's going to be a fair and i know you have to give up assets obviously but fair amount of relievers there and look at the starting pitching market you know other than the minors and the bum gardeners and you know who knows robbie ray the diamond back still competing stroman his name but boyd

less names there than the reliever market I'm a little surprised well there's always less starters I mean relievers are always there and Keiko in theory can give you seven innings

and can just take the ball every fifth day and be good I guess he maybe they're worried about infield defense that was my thought the defense

maybe they're burned by Arrieta they don't love where they're at with Arrieta but even with Keiko Keiko can still fill up a strike zone

whereas Arrieta when he struggles he's just all over the place um and keitel won't cost you anything like that's i i think when your deal like you probably get him for one year like 12 13 million at this point or pro rated whatever it is and he doesn't have to shave his beard like the stupid yankees the dumbest thing in sports it it is if you like i'm sure there are a lot of things that would be in the running for the dumbest thing in sports, but in 2019 the fact that the Yankees still won't let their players have facial hair, very high on the dumbest sports list. Very high.

I'd be in on Keuchel. It's fine. I would rather... I don't want to give up prospects. I know you don't. That's why I figured you'd be more in on it. I know. So I don't want to give up prospects. I think Keuch't. That's why I figured you'd be more in on it. I know. So I don't want to give up prospects. I think Huck will be decent. Kimbrell, I get it.

I mean, a power pitcher that could just be your ninth inning guy and let everyone else under him. If Robertson's not coming back, if Hunter, who should be coming back, I think he's going to start picking up baseball soon. But if you want to know postseason series right now, it's Neres. Sir Anthony and Neres, and that's it. And then Morgan's going to come back soon. It's just, if you bring in Kimbrell then it lets Neris settle in but Neris has been really good in the ninth and like I don't know he he hasn't really been good anywhere

else this season outside of the ninth inning so you're moving him out of his comfort zone um what I know who would have thought that the issue would be moving Hector out of the ninth not into it. I know. It's crazy. So Sir Anthony's developing and Sir Anthony's

looks like he's kind of coming back a little bit. Morgan's been good. Jose Alvarez, starter. He's been okay. He's been good. And Neshek when he comes back

is Neshek. I understand in theory that it makes sense but if you're giving him two or three years like I mean if you're giving him two or three years I'd rather I just. That's what I mean. If you're giving him two or three years,

I'd rather give him an ass and go get Ken Giles. I'd rather give him an ass and go get Vasquez or whatever. Are we bringing back Ken Giles? He's been so good. I don't care.

He's been so good. I don't care. I would bring him back in a second. Of course, but I'd bring him back in a second. No, I wouldn't.

In a second. I don't think he's good. I hate Pat Neshek. I root for him every time he goes out to pitch. I don't think Ken Giles is actually good. Really?

No. I think he sucks. I think he sucks. Why every time he goes out to pitch. I don't think Ken Giles is actually good. Really? No. I think he sucks. I think he sucks. Why? He's been great in Toronto. I don't care. I don't care. Average fastball of like 97 and a half.

Pitching in absolutely no stress. I don't trust him in a big moment. Okay. Well, look. The big moment so far has not gone well for Ken Giles. Well, he's City Seaman Houston. It was a disaster. There's a reason he's a Blue Jay right now.

So, fair. For nothing. Yeah. It's fair uh but theoretically i'd rather go get someone who i uh is it just a better pitcher yeah i mean i would rather i would rather i would give up big time prospects for a shutdown reliever that i know can still ascend like felipe vasquez for blake trinan at the a's fall out of it um like those kind of guys like i would give up something legit for um i just i just i don't love the idea of giving kimbrough money i first off either first of all i know keitel's been throwing i'm sure kimbrough's been throwing but like but i don't feel as confident about it neither do i

yeah neither do i like keitel's legit had like scouts come to him to watch him pitch who's watching craig kimbrough nobody like no one uh bench in the postseason last year he saw spin rate decline in every single pitch he threw. Walking everyone, strikeouts up, or strikeouts down, walks up. That's not a good trend. No, and he's 31. And he's 31. He's up and down, hit or miss. He's not a guy that,

I don't know, he doesn't seem like a Phillies kind of guy. He's too inconsistent for them, I feel like. I think they want consistency. Yeah, I'm with you. And yet, I do think if they do sign one, I think it'll probably be Kimbrell and not Keichel. I agree with you. I think it's going to be,

I would definitely bet on Kimbrell. Yeah. And I would bet on no chance for Keichel. I mean, you never know, but it seems really likely. There's only like six teams. But the thing that I find frustrating is the six teams involved on Keichel are the Rays. The Braves, the Cardinals, the Rays and Yankees.

I know. It's like, really? If the Rays are in, just, the Cardinals. Well, and the Rays and Yankees. I know. It's like really, if the Rays are in, just be in. That should be your philosophy. If the Rays are in, just go get them. That's my philosophy.

Me too. From this point on. All right, let's talk about the most important thing 40 minutes into the podcast. The draft? It's the biggest night

of your life draft. I love it. Until next year draft night, that'll be the next biggest night. Yeah, but next year they're probably going to be picking in the 20s and it's just not as exciting.

This is the end of an era. Yeah. It's the last chance of. Yeah, but next year they're probably going to be picking in the 20s and it's just not as exciting. This is the end of an era. Yeah. It's the last chance of, well, I mean, obviously, Trout was in the 20s. Yeah, for sure. So there's players all over the draft, but this will be the last time they're picking in the teens in the next decade, I would say. I love it. Let's roll

with that. The last time in the Harper era. Again, they don't have a second round pick because they signed Bryce Harper. Maybe that was a mistake, signing Bryce Harperper again they don't have a second round pick because they signed bryce harper maybe that was a mistake signing bryce harper since they don't have a second round pick this is i can't go i can't go underslot and get a steal by the way to that point which is and like one of the reasons where and again i don't think they end up with keitel or kimbrough but the whole drop in compensation in the phillies case was so silly too because you're talking about the 91st pick in the draft or whatever it is it's like if you really want one of those two guys I would say you give up the 91st pick and you'll get them but regardless well you also don't I mean I would if I

just don't think they want those guys well no no but I would also say if I was Kimbrel or Kikrel I would Kimbrel or I would have waited too yeah I would have waited yeah because you'll probably get more but I'm saying if the Phillies offered the same amount now as they did a month ago they would add a month extra of the guy. Right. Anyway. So, yeah. So, 14, there's two names that look like they might be falling. It looks like Hunter Bishop could be falling. I don't think he's going to get past the Mets at 12.

And Jackson Rutledge. That would be a disaster, huh? Well, yeah. It would suck. But Jackson Rutledge looked like he could be falling a little bit, too. But, listen, the players I'd be be really really happy with are rutledge uh george kirby the elon pitcher who 107 strikeouts and six walks it's good and i think looks like jacob degron 2.0 uh he's a uh elite elite command uh his off speed isn't unbelievable but it's it's

getting there and the fastball i think plays up uh corbin carroll is a center fielder uh that's a high school outfielder from California. Elite bat-to-ball skills. The reason I want him is because I can just see him batting 300 for a long time. Just a really, really solid. Maybe the power doesn't totally come, but I just

think the bat-to-ball skills are phenomenal. Bryson Stott is a shortstop from UNLV. He just is he's like a he reminds me of Corey Seager in a way

he's very he's a Corey Seager Brandon Crawford not as good as a defender as Brandon Crawford but has a swing just like Brandon Crawford

so I like Bryson Stott a lot Hunter Bishop the center fielder from or outfielder from Arizona State 22 homers this year

had a a Woba in like the 530 range. Like just straight up breaks. Does have strikeout problems. Like he has a 22% K rate, which I didn't totally love. A little high, especially in college. A little high.

And then Matthew Allen is this guy. He's a prep pitcher that's committed to Florida. And the only reason he's falling out of the top 10, like he's super talented. Like he's the best prep arm in the class. Only reason he's falling out of the top 10, he's super talented. He's the best prep arm in the class. Only reason he's falling out of the top 10 is because of signability issues. But the Phillies should have, theoretically,

the money to sign him. And I would just, I think he reminds me of a young Jordan Zimmerman. Like Jordan Zimmerman when he was actually good. Players that I would not like at all. Shea Langenleers or whatever. He's this catcher from Baylor. Catcher, yeah, I saw that.

And he's a defensive first catcher he's had a huge Big 12 conference and whatever I'm gonna just give an emphatic no to a defensive

first catcher with the 14th pick yeah when you have Real Muto well that's the point yes Josh Jung's a third baseman slash shortstop

from Texas Tech I think scouts want to think he's Alec Bregman but he's not he's not Alex Bregman because nobody's Alex Bregman no one's Alex Bregman

Josh Jung's fine I wouldn't be excited about it he's not. He's not Alex Bregman. Because nobody's Alex Bregman. No one's Alex Bregman. Josh Young's fine. I wouldn't be excited about it. He's a third baseman. They have Boehm, whatever. And I don't think he can play shortstop long-term. And they have Luis Garcia, too, on top of that. Right.

Well, yeah, but... I'm not saying you're not. You don't know what these guys are going to become. I'm just throwing it out there. Logan Davidson is a shortstop from Clemson who's too tall, and I think he's unathletic. Greg Jones is this guy who's flying up draft boards from UNC Wilmington. Former running back.

Remember the guy? Yeah. Played for the Jags. Yeah. Greg Jones. Big fan. He's an 80 speed guy but like,

I don't know, he reminds me of so many old Phillies picks where he's super athletic. He's Roman Quinn. Yeah, basically. Got it. Cody Hosey,

I think his last name is. He's a good baseball name. Tulane, third baseman. Basically, I don't want guys going under slot and these are all under slot guys. I really don last name is. He's a good baseball name. Tulane, third baseman. Basically, I don't want guys going underslot, and these are all underslot guys. I really don't want that. And again, I obviously don't know these names. I know these names because of you. I don't know these players.

I just don't want them to go underslot. That's really all I want. I want them to pick a guy who's worthy of that spot and pay him. I don't think that's a crazy thing to think. Yeah, so if people don't know what underslot is. Explain the underslot thing. So you have a scenario... So you have a certain compensation

for each draft pick, like whether it's like one... Each slot is a set number for what the player should get or a range. And the Phillies' idea the last couple of draft picks and international slotting

and international stuff is more like cast a wide net and see what you can bring in rather than taking the better talent and just going from that standpoint. So guys will fall if they say they won't sign. You could take them later if you're willing to pay them. There's a lot of different incantations.

Right, so the theory behind going under slot is that you'll take a guy who was a first-round talent but maybe not in the right spot, sign him for less money so you can save more money for later when other players fall and use it on them. So the reason they took Moniak, number number one overall was because he could sign him for under slot and they could use more money in the second round now in theory that works but their second

round pick was kevin gowdy and he got hurt anyway and he's not he's not even that great so listen if you're gonna do it i don't know it's not and then tonight the reason that me and you both don't want them to go underslot is because they don't have a second-round pick because they signed Bryce, so you're not getting another draft pick until 71, I think. I thought it was even later than that. It might be even later than that. So I don't like the idea of going underslot. I don't want them to go underslot.

I would rather them just take the best player available. I don't care if it's another outfielder. Corbin Carroll is kind of like Moniak and Haseley, but I like him more than Moniak, and I think he can actually stick in center field unlike Haseley. So I just want them to take the best talent and not worry about going under slot to cast a wider net. Last year they did this to get Dom Pipkin in the ninth round.

I like Dom Pipkin, but let's relax. All right. It was a big night for you, Jack. I'm excited. I'm excited to talk about it on the next pod. I'm sure.kin, but let's relax. All right. It was a big night for you, Jack. I'm excited. I'm excited to talk about it on the next pod, I'm sure. Let's hope they don't screw it up. I'm going to watch a lot of tape

on whoever they say it is. I know you are. You're going to be ready to talk on Thursday's pod. I know it's your thing. All right, Padres. Nola versus Eric Lauer tonight. Lauer, a soft-tossing lefty.

Chris Paddock. We get to see Paddock tomorrow in Sherrod Eickhoff. Chris Paddock, for those of you Paddock tomorrow. Chris Paddock. For those of you who are staying up, which I think the vast majority of High Hopes Nation will be up tonight at 10-10 with us watching this game. Tomorrow night, if you stay up,

you'll see one of the best young pitchers in baseball in Chris Paddock. He is nasty. And then Jay Garriott against Joey Lucchese, the lefty for the Padres. I hate Lucchese's motion. It drives me crazy. He's been good this year, though.

He's good. You've always hated Lucchese. I think I owned him in fantasy last year, and you were like, he motion. It drives me crazy. He's been good this year, though. He's good. You've always hated Lucchese. I think I owned him in fantasy last year and you were like, he sucks. And he was okay. What can I do? All right. Any general thoughts on the Padres?

Obviously, Machado, Harper. Not much excitement. Just win two or three. Of course. Win two or three. Always. If Bryce gets out-dueled by Machado, it's officially the hot seat for Harper.

I think that's fair. Oh, Harper. I think that's fair. Oh, no. I think that's very fair. Oh, no. I'm excited. It'll be a good test of this lineup versus a good bullpen.

I mean, late in games, we'll see if they can fight back. I mean, Kirby Yates has been the best closer in baseball this year. The Yates of hell, baby. Kerbert. I like to call him Kerbert.

Oh, the matchup of splitters. Him versus Neres. How about that? The Phillies have to jump on their starters because if they don't, I think the Badres bullpen has a lot of

interesting pieces to it. They got good arms. Stam and Yates. They're a team that if they did fall out of it would be a team you would hope the Phillies would target to make a

trade with. For sure. All right. Any other notes to empty before we get to final thought? No. Lay your final thought

on me, brother. Final thought is that I think I love Scott Kingery. I think he's been underrated. I thought he had a really good weekend. I like the at-bats he has. Yeah, he's aggressive. He's aggressive, and

he's just like, he's a good hitter. Right now, he's a good hitter. He's a good hitter. He's not going to bat 330, but... You sure about that? Yeah. He's just... I love watching him play. I like watching... When he gets a hit, I feel warm inside, and he's playing love watching him play I like watching when he gets a hit I feel warm inside and

he's playing a decent center field for a guy who hasn't played there since his freshman year of college and I just think I think his start of the season

has been a bit underrated I mean this is a guy last year handed an unprecedented contract and 24 million is going to look like an absolute steal

in a couple years I teased it before my final thought did you see this about Jay Bruce from Mark Craig at The Athletic? Matt Gelb talked about it as well. Uh, yes, yes. Jay Bruce is obsessed with StatCast.

Yes. He loves checking his numbers. He's all about exit velo, all that stuff. I was like, Jay, you're gonna fit in just fine. Yeah, well, don't worry. Don't worry.

StatCast fan Jay Bruce. The people are already complaining about the 212 batting average. People are like, Jay likes analytics. Get him out of here. Yeah, get him out, Jay Bruce. I think that's cool, though. I like that he's into that stuff, and he's checking the StatCast page and all that, because

you know why, Jack? He's just like us. Just like us. I check the StatCast page all the time. It's a blast. Also, Jay Bruce, only 32. You would have think he's been in baseball for 30 years. Dude, there's no way that guy's 32.

He doesn't look 32. Big, lumbering old man is what baseball for 30 years. Dude, there's no way that guy's 32. He doesn't look 32. Big, lumbering old man is what I think of when I see J.J. I know. He's moved like

he's 40 since he was like 24. It's a shame that they got two lefties in the series because he probably won't be in the lineup for two of the three

games, I would think. No, but a late inning pinch. He can be our Russell Branion. Good.

Him again. J. Bruce against Kerbert Yates. One on, two outs, top of the ninth. Yeah, well, listen. Then Neris comes in and closes it out. That's what I'm calling. J Bruce against Kerbert Yates one on two outs top of the ninth yeah well listen

then Neris comes in and closes it out that's what I'm calling I'm so glad that we actually have legit lefty pop off the bench finally it's beautiful

it's a beautiful thing beautiful thing alright Fritz we will be back on Thursday hopefully George Kirby is here hopefully George Kirby

or Jackson Rutledge or Hunter Bishop or one of these guys is here. Bryson Stott. Not some underslot guy. And then hopefully the Phillies take two or three. Be beautiful. Alright, he's Fred Sumselter. We'll see you later. All-star closer, Kenley Jansen.

We have a question. What's the best podcast 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. It is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

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