PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - Despite dominating in LA at times, the Arizona Diamondbacks drop the finale & the series to the Dodgers

Starting point is 00:00:02 Are you going to say the first word or I guess I am now? I guess I will. Hello and welcome to the PHNX D-Backs podcast right here on PHNX. My name is Derek Montia, occasionally known as a sad boy. That's B-O-I. This guy over here. He's my vice sad boy. He's also the known as Thunderstick, Jesse Friedman.

Starting point is 00:00:33 That was rough, Derek. That wasn't great. It was very, very, very familiar. It's like watching the same movie Like over and over and over again But it's like your least favorite movie And you're expecting the ending to be different Yeah and you like have a hope that somehow the movie will get better

Starting point is 00:00:50 When you watch it for like a second third or tenth time But it never does Right no it doesn't This show is very depressing of course We are brought to you by the fine folks of the Drafking Sportsbook app Download the Drafking Sportsbook app now Use our code of PH and X you get all sorts of wonderful goodies that's America's top rated sportsbook app.

Starting point is 00:01:09 Oh, Jesse, it's not just one heartbreaking loss in this series. It's two. This was a five-game series that we were very worried about. And to be honest, if we want to start looking at silver linings and accentuating the positive, this was a very winnable series for the Arizona Diamondbacks that they actually played pretty well in. Right. It's just some disastrous late-inning situations led what should have been a four-to-one series victory for the Diamondbacks and do a three two

Starting point is 00:01:38 series loss for the D-backs to the Dodgers. It was just, there was a lot of things here that were encouraging, but it's hard to be encouraged after seeing you know, Zach Gallin have the tremendous day he had only to have it, you know, pissed away there at the end of the game.

Starting point is 00:01:57 It was a tremendous day. And I don't want to lose like, it was Galentine's Day. It was Galentine's Day. And it was the best Galentine's Day that I can ever remember. I mean, he said, a career high with eight innings pitched. Zach Gallin, somehow.

Starting point is 00:02:11 13 strikeouts. That was also a career high. Somehow, Zach Gallen had never thrown more than seven a third innings in his career before tonight. He's been obviously an excellent pitcher for a number of years, but he's been mostly a six or seven inning type of a guy, mostly a six inning guy up to this point. If there was a weakness that we could say he had in his game, it was the fact that sometimes when he went late, that's when you would see him kind of fall apart a bit there.

Starting point is 00:02:34 So he didn't tend to have that, that, that, that longevity to his to his game 13 strikeouts though i mean i think you had 18 whiffs um he still isn't really throwing his change up anymore which kind of baffles me because a year or two ago that was like that was what zach gallon was known for if any if any one pitch um you know really stood out in his arsenal was the change up and um he threw two of them today and he threw one of them i believe in his last start um but his curve ball is good enough that apparently he doesn't need any other secondary pitches. I guess he throws the cutter too,

Starting point is 00:03:10 but I mean, it's basically two different types of fastball and the curveball and the Dodgers were just off balance all night. And I know there's a number of people, including possibly ourselves, wondering, you know, should the Diamondbacks have just brought

Starting point is 00:03:25 Zach Allen out for the ninth inning? Derek, I'll let you take the first stab at that question. I think the problem here is, and I think it was Strom's Lab on Twitter said it best. Really what we're looking at is a team that has really done nothing to address their bullpen situation. They don't really even have any kind of, they're not adapting to this season. They're not trying to put guys maybe that are starters or, you know, maybe starting quality pitchers out there in the bullpen. You know, Caleb Smith has been good at times. There's been some

Starting point is 00:03:59 couple of guys you can say that about. Even Reis Maranta has been very good for this team considering he was a DFA candidate from the Los Angeles Dodgers that the Diamondbacks picked up. But that's the problem, right? To have Reyes Maranta as your number one option tonight in this situation just shows how lost this bullpen truly is as far as guys that they can count on and who can they truly turn to when they, you know, when the game is on the line and they really just need to get through one inning without giving up a run. Obviously, that didn't work out for him tonight.

Starting point is 00:04:34 Rayas Maranta didn't work out. Joe Mantua didn't work out. Nothing in this bullpen seems to work out. And I understand. It's a bit of an understatement. I can only imagine the frustration, you know, for Mike Hazen, for Tori Lavello, right? Like, I know a lot of people want Tori Lovolo's job after tonight, right? I know a lot of people are so mad about him not sending Zach Gallen back out there.

Starting point is 00:04:58 And to be honest, I don't see a reason why. but then if it goes the other way and then Zach Gallen blows the game, then we're screaming at Tori, why didn't he take him out, right? I don't know if we are though. Really? On a night like this, you really think people are going to be screaming if Zach? I think people. If Zach Gallen blew the game after getting the lead there after eight innings.

Starting point is 00:05:19 I mean, if he throws like 125 pitches, like yes. But if Zach Gallen comes out and gets to like 110 and the Dodgers walk him off, I don't know. Like that just has a different feel. I mean, Zach Gallen at this point and what I think a lot of our audience members are probably thinking right now is that, like, hasn't he earned your trust? Like, do you really believe that Zach Gallen 98 pitches into one of the most dominant starts of his career is less effective than Reyes Moranta or Luis Frias or Joe Mantipli or whoever you're going to throw out there right now? Let me ask you this, though. I mean, of course hindsight is 20-20, but where they're not starts this season where Zach Gallant did stay in two.

Starting point is 00:06:01 long and everything fell apart. And it didn't happen in the ninth inning. It happened in the sixth or it happened in the fifth, right? So there were times that guy was cruising and then all of a sudden things fell apart. And we said that. We were like, why didn't you pull them out? You knew you were coming up against the third time through the rotation. Right?

Starting point is 00:06:18 So it's easy to question the manager when the things don't go right, right? Yeah. This is really what it comes down to. But it's also easy to get mad at this team and easy to get mad about managing this team in this way when you know the bullpen. is so ineffective, right? And that's really what it comes down to is most people, including these two guys right here, feel like we would have had a much better chance to send Zach Gallen back out there to win.

Starting point is 00:06:42 But then there is that. There is that questioning of that. Not to mention, we talked to Zach Gallen one time about throwing a no hitter. And he didn't sound like he was willing to put up with that bullshit for over 100 pitches for too long, right? Like even a no hitter wasn't important enough to Zach Gallen for him to like go out and throw 125 pitches like he said. So I doubt that a game like tonight really is either, but it's the Dodgers. You're doing, you're on a roll. You're doing so well 13 strikeouts at career high, eight innings pitched a career high.

Starting point is 00:07:10 I would have liked to maybe see him do it to. You know, I'm not going to lie. It's just damned if you do, damned if you don't. To be honest, the Dodgers are just a really good team. And you just got to hand it to them that the fact that when the game is on the line, they seem to be incredibly good at stepping up in those situations and those come from behind victories. The Dodgers run differential, Jesse, is like 326 this season. Plus 300. That's absurd. The Diamondbacks are minus 29, minus 30 right now. And the Dodgers are plus 326. Like, it's just,

Starting point is 00:07:45 it's just an incredible team. But here's the thing is they're showing cracks in their armor. And I feel like that's what we saw in the series. I don't want to try to be that guy that's always looking for the positives. But that's what we do on this show. and you got to hand it. We're not allowed to look for positives. You got to hand it to our team. People are angry and they just want you to be angry with them. Well, okay. Here, here, maybe this will make you less angry because our friends from

Starting point is 00:08:11 Cespitous family barbecue had some things to say about the Arizona Diamondbacks on Twitter tonight. And that was, judge this, pool host that, Dodgers juggernaut, whatever. I'm focused on crafting my 2023 NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks hot take. This man didn't say 2024, Jesse. He didn't say 2025. He said 20, 23. Chuck all you want, but have you watched Zach Gallen?

Starting point is 00:08:37 Yeah. He was just, I mean, he was on another level in this game. It was really incredible. And I think it does build confidence for next year, right? Even though the Diamondbacks don't win this series, which is still baffles me. We just played a five game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in four days. This is a wild, a wild week. Like it felt like where you put.

Starting point is 00:08:58 Yeah, where you have a six game series or something. But yeah, I'm told the Diamondbacks won't be playing the Dodgers tomorrow. I'm not sure if I actually believe that. But that's what I'm told. There's a positive. Years of the Diamondbacks do not play the Dodgers anymore this season. There you go. We did it.

Starting point is 00:09:14 It's over. The nightmare is over. But it does like, I think this series and even though it had such a tragic ending, the Diamondbacks will open next season playing eight of their first 10 games against the Dodgers. Why are you like this? But why are you like this? I am saying this in a positive manner because this was a series that, no, follow me here. All right.

Starting point is 00:09:36 I'm giving you. Go ahead. This was a series where the Diamondbacks held their own against the Dodgers. Absolutely. And even though they did blow a couple of games, they really looked like they could hang in there. And I know the Dodgers, you know, Mookie Betts was out of the lineup today. You know, they might be taking their feet off the gas just a little bit here down the stretch. But it looked like a team that the Diamondbacks could compete.

Starting point is 00:09:58 heat with even on the road. And that's not something that we've seen in a long time. I mean, when the debacks won a game in this series on Tuesday, it was the first time they'd beat the Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in more than a year. And at this point, even though this series leaves a sour taste in your mouth, going into next year, the debacks are going to remember this. And they're going to remember, you know, the pain of a game like this, but they're also going to remember being right there, you know, late in all of these games. Really, only the first game of this series. where the Dodgers actually under control or in control the entire way. So I think it's a positive overall going into next year,

Starting point is 00:10:35 just knowing that you have a shot against a Dodgers team that is, frankly, one of the best baseball teams that we've probably seen in more than a decade. I mean, this 2022 team is just ridiculously good. Tyler heard in our comments that earlier today, the Giants called up Shelby Miller for their bullpen. I did see that. So at least, I mean, there's that. At least we're not doing that.

Starting point is 00:10:57 Joey Miller's pitched pretty well for them in AAA, but I don't know. At this point, Giants fans are crazy mad about this team, and I think that's hilarious, considering that they're just one year removed from one of the best seasons that they've ever had. For winning 107 games. And they're already mad at their ownership group for not putting a competitive team on the baseball field. And I am like, hi. Giants fans are just utterly spoiled. Calm your shit down, okay?

Starting point is 00:11:24 But let's take a look at the numbers in this series, because like Jesse, said. The Diamondbacks really did hang in with the Dodgers in this one. That that win-loss total really feels like it should be swapped. It really feels like it should be four to one. Could be for to be honest. And it could be. But the starting pitching ERA, Madison Bumgardner, who we have not talked about was very, very good. Zach Gallen was very, very good. They have gotten some very good starting pitching. Drain Jameson. Drain Jameson was incredible in the series. So really the offense didn't show up in a few games, and they just had disastrous innings, it feels like. An eighth inning here, a ninth inning there that fell apart that really led to the two losses.

Starting point is 00:12:09 Look at the batting average with runners in scoring position. I mean, that's your series right there, right? The Diamondbacks hit 149 with runners in scoring position in the series. They were seven for 47. That's a lot of opportunities. And I know it's a five-game series, but 47, that's a lot of it bats with runners in scoring position. five-game series. The Dodgers only had 36 or 37, I believe

Starting point is 00:12:30 it was. But yeah, the debacks just couldn't come through in some of those big moments were counted. And as we saw in this one, the Dodgers are at their best late in the game, especially facing this version of the Diamondbacks bullpen, which is

Starting point is 00:12:45 pretty tough to watch. I brought up Bumgarner. Six innings pitch, one run, one walk, five strikeouts, one hit. Yeah. Very good day for Madison, Mum. That was a really good day. And I guess I kind of joked on Twitter about his mad bum hashtag good again.

Starting point is 00:13:02 And that upset a lot of people. And I know why. Because he still has like a ERA of around seven in his last 10 starts. Something like that. Something like that. Or maybe the way that we compared numbers to other guys' numbers who recently just got DFAed by the Chicago White Sox. But we won't talk about that. What we want to talk about is how he was very good.

Starting point is 00:13:22 And it's weird that Madison Bumgartner now is for me. is in a similar position as like the rookies where it's like all right this is encouraging let's see what happens the next outing like i'm not going to get too excited about a good outing but at the same time i will say that madison mumgarner is a very capable pitcher who has been trying some things this season to be more effective and in reality uh those might be the things that are causing him the issues so yeah who knows of maybe getting back to the basics for him and doing what he's used to might help out he looked very good this was this was a series this was a different game for Mad Bum in my mind.

Starting point is 00:13:57 Because we've like, right, we've been talking for a while about, there was an instance where Mad Bum was skipped in order to like work on some things with Brent Strom, right? We saw him come back. He kind of looked like the same pitcher. This is the first start to me where Mad Bum didn't look like the same pitcher. Like he was actually trying different stuff out there. The man threw his curveball more than any other pitch in that start, which Mad Bum has like

Starting point is 00:14:21 a pretty solid curveball, but it's, at least in my memory, it's, never been a primary pitch for him or even really a secondary pitch like four seamer cutter those are usually his main his main offerings with the curveball kind of being a distant third most of the time but it was a really really good pitch for him in that game and i don't think the dodgers were expecting it i think they were like this is not the madison bum garner that were used to facing and and they just didn't know what to do with it we talked about jameson changing up in his start going with the more sliders than fastballs that he did in his first start of the year, right? So like baseball is kind of a game of that.

Starting point is 00:14:59 You do have to kind of come in with a game plan and you do have to kind of take your opponent a bit by surprise because there is a lot of footage on you. They've seen you a lot, especially. Yeah. The Dodgers have seen a lot of bad bum. A lot of bad bum. But yeah, it was there was just so much encouragement. There's so much encouraging things happening in the series for the Diamondbacks,

Starting point is 00:15:23 even for them to come out losing the series three games to two, right? And that to me, as I say that out loud, it sounds like loser talk. I get it, right? But what I'm saying is that they really did play the Dodgers well. And this is a team that has a payroll that's a third of what the Dodgers is. The guys that are doing it, the guys that were effective in the series, Corbyn Carroll, Jake McCarthy, Drey Jamison, these are guys that are going to be part of the Diamondbacks organization for a long time. hopefully a very long time.

Starting point is 00:15:54 We saw Corbyn Carroll get booed in this series at Dodgers Stadium. He used to a Dodgers fan. You're going to be booing that guy for years. First of May. Oh, you're going to fucking hate him. You're going to hate him so much. And we're going to love him.

Starting point is 00:16:06 And we're going to love how much you hate him. But one guy that the Dodgers fans absolutely love to hate is Christian Walker because he abused the Dodgers. He once again, it did it in the series. And he was a big part of the offense. He is our draft kings, king of the series, because this guy 300 batting average, two home runs, almost had the winning home run in this game,

Starting point is 00:16:27 which we were very excited about one point. Do a crew chief review for that dingy. Yeah, crew chief review that, pal. Buddy, four RBI in this series. But again, the Diamondbacks, they definitely got a lot of production from the team. Once again, it was a team effort. Christian Walker just, once again,

Starting point is 00:16:45 prove that he loves to hit the ball in L.A. this might make people angry again. I know we're sort of on a positive side. But I just somehow I'd forgotten for a second that Jake McCarthy was thrown out stealing second base. Yeah. And that Christian Walker, Homer could have been two runs. Could have been a two run shot. Now granted, Mookie Betts single might have brought in two runs anyway.

Starting point is 00:17:10 Right. Who knows how the entire game transpires. But yeah, you probably play the ninth inning a little bit differently if you have a two run lead as opposed to a one run lead. Yep. I'm not done, though. Can I talk a little more about the bullpen? I would love it if you talk to more about the bullpen. As long as you're going to bash them and say mean things.

Starting point is 00:17:26 I am sort of going to do that. So here's the deal, right? The Dodgers in this game used four relievers. It was Evan Phillips, Alex Vescia, Brewster, Graterall, and Craig Kimbril. Those are the four relievers that the Dodgers used in this game. That's Graterol, Bob Brenley. Yes. I think he said Graterall.

Starting point is 00:17:48 But we've also mispronounced a few names on the PHNXDVAC pod. Derek has. I never have. Yeah, Derek has many times. They're saying it wrong. They're pronouncing their own names. My point is that I'm pretty confident, Derek, that all four of those relievers that I just mentioned, you got, let's face it, you guys probably didn't even know Evan Phillips or Alex Vessia, right? Like, that's not like a staple in your mind.

Starting point is 00:18:15 You don't know who they are. Don't pretend like you did. Yeah. Don't pretend like you did, right? But all four of those, all four of those relievers would probably be on the top 10 list of Diamondbacks relievers of all time. Of all time, you said. Potentially. At least like, and I know some of them don't have like a long track record, but Evan Phillips has a 1.24 ERA.

Starting point is 00:18:36 And how many games, Jesse? It's like 50 or 60. Like he has, he's done this for the entire season. If Evan Phillips were on the Diamondbacks, he would be like, their best reliever by a mile. It wouldn't even be close. And then you have Alex Vescia, who's a lefty for the Dodgers.

Starting point is 00:18:54 Over the last two years, if you put those two years together, it would be the best two year spanned by a left-handed reliever in Diamondbacks history. I'm pretty confident saying that. And it's Alex Vesia. Like this isn't Araldis Chapman. This isn't like a household name.

Starting point is 00:19:10 That's just how good the Dodgers have been at putting together a bullpen. And then Bruce Starr-Grattorall right comes in. He throws 102. miles an hour. Poor Corbyn Carroll probably didn't see that in Reno a few weeks ago, right? And he's just like, he's like, he just came

Starting point is 00:19:25 back from injury. He's not even like their ninth inning guy, right? You could make an argument that Craig Kimberl is the worst reliever on the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has a 4.14 ERA at this point. Yeah, statistically he actually might be, but it's just crazy that like the Dodgers

Starting point is 00:19:41 are are so good at putting together a bullpen and the diamond backs have been so, so bad at putting together a bullpen. And this is not just this year. And it's a focus. It's not last year. It's not just the last few years.

Starting point is 00:19:55 Historically, historically since the Diamondbacks inception, and if you've read my articles, you've probably seen me say this, since the Diamondbacks inception in 1998, according to wins above replacement, no team has fewer wins above replacement from the bullpen than the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Starting point is 00:20:11 That is over almost 30 years now, right there. I guess, what are we at this point? 25. This is the 25th season in D-BACs history. Over 25 seasons, the Diamondbacks bullpen has essentially been the least productive in all of baseball. And it's about time that the Diamondbacks ownership, you know, Mike Hazen, the front office, that they figure out how to fix this problem. And it's not just this regime, right? I can't just pin this on Mike Hazen.

Starting point is 00:20:38 It's just, it's been like this for years. And the Diamondbacks need to find a way to get over this. Or it's just going to keep happening, right? We're just going to keep coming on here, talking. about Zach Gallen throwing eight dominant innings and just seeing the whole thing fall apart in the ninth inning, right? I don't want to. We don't want to watch this movie again.

Starting point is 00:20:55 We've seen the movie too many times at this point in the season, and it's gone on far, far too long in Arizona. Here's the thing. Not only is it, not only is it that bad as far as the bullpen goes, but tonight in this game, Reyes Maranta was the Diamondback's best option to come out there. And this is a guy. of us would even argue with that. No, I think that's what most of us probably wanted to see.

Starting point is 00:21:19 At least, again, with all transparency, it's what the two of us wanted to see. We were saying it when they decided to pull Zach Gowan out of the game. We were like, either leave Gowan in or at least go to Maranta if you're going to go to somebody, right? Well, that didn't work out. And it starts to feel, we start to feel a bit like Tori Lovolo, where it's like, is anything ever going to work out? Can any suggestion be the right suggestion? But that's how good the Dodgers are is that the Diamondback's number one option tonight. in a game where they had a lead against Dodgers in the ninth inning was somebody that the Dodgers recently DFAed.

Starting point is 00:21:51 Oh my gosh. Because they have such an abundance of talent that Reyes Maranta did not fit in. And yet over here, as part of the Diamondbacks, he is one of their most consistent relievers. That just shows the gap as far as where the Diamondbacks are and where the Dodgers are. The Dodgers, though, have plenty of experience of blowing games, blowing important games, late after they do have a lead, going through the same thing. that the Diamondbacks have, right? So it's like the Dodgers, I feel like, have tried to do everything they can to proactively make their bullpen as good as you've described with all of those pieces. Yeah. With all of those names that you've never heard of before that are doing it at the level that

Starting point is 00:22:31 they're doing it, right? But it's not like the Diamondbacks haven't tried. It just doesn't work out, right? Yeah. And trust me. Also, it's easy to say, stop hiring, you know, stop giving money to guys that are at the tail end of their career to come in here and be closers. But it's not like they haven't tried to address the issue at the same time. Shit, Mike Hazen went out and got two closers this offseason.

Starting point is 00:22:53 Yeah. And that still didn't work out. I know it's easy to look back on that now and be like, oh, I mean, and Kennedy, Mark Malanson are so old at this point. Oh, why did you pick up these veterans? Mark Balancen led the league in saves last season. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:23:07 Last season, 2021. It's like, it was right there. In the defense of Mike Asan, that's a great point. Like, let's not pretend that we weren't all thinking about how great it was. The Diamondbacks had not one but two closers coming into this season, right? I made several jokes about it. Yeah. I know the words.

Starting point is 00:23:25 Well, if one guy doesn't work out, we got another guy. If I flew out of my mouth jokingly. But anyway, we thank you guys, again, for being here. If you guys are members of PHNX, we thank you for that. We love you for that. We've talked about our meetup tomorrow. We're going to talk about that some more. But if you're a member already, you're the best.

Starting point is 00:23:46 If you're not a member, sign up. Get yourself a month-to-month membership. You can get your first month for just 50 cents. Jesse was telling people like that and they said 50 cents. That's it. I'm in. Yeah, I was amazed. Like, somebody were like, wait, really?

Starting point is 00:23:57 50 cents. Which I have to applaud people today because, you know, as someone who writes articles that are frequently behind a paywall, you just have to be ready on Twitter that you're going to, you're going to tweet out an article. and someone's going to want to read it, and they're going to see that it's behind a paywall, and they're just going to get really mad at you, and they're just going to heckle you in the comments, right?

Starting point is 00:24:19 But today that didn't happen. People were like, well, I'm not a subscriber, but, you know, and they made some... We have the best followers on Twitter. You guys are the best. I don't know about the other beats. I apologize for them and their followers, but we have the best followers.

Starting point is 00:24:32 You guys... Yeah, I basically just told them. I just have a good attitude about it. I just said, like, you can get your first month for 50 cents. People are like, okay, done. It was like, wow. Is it, is it always this easy to like get new members? Just ask.

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Starting point is 00:25:30 Jesse, another bad thing about that ninth inning. It officially eliminated the Arizona Diamondbacks from playoff contention this postseason. Well, darn it, I was still holding out some hope, you know. I had some hope too. You still figured that it's the Brewers and the Phillies lost 13 consecutive games. Right. I told you. He wasn't being honest. I was being honest. I still had hope. I still believed. I never stopped believing until that E is next to the Arizona Diamondbacks name. And unfortunately, that E has appeared. But let's talk a little bit about some of these other playoff matchups because it's interesting.

Starting point is 00:26:08 there is still, like you said, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers seem to be engaged in a little something. San Diego is still in that mix. The debacks have a chance to play spoiler. They finish the season against the Milwaukee Brewers. That's right. Yeah, they have a shot to actually still impact the playoff picture at this point. Or maybe if the brewer's winning gets them into the playoffs and eliminates the Padres, maybe the Diamondbacks just lay down like Kevin Nash did for Hulk over. You know what I mean? Finger poking doom.

Starting point is 00:26:38 Just go down for the series. Let them walk over you and right into the playoffs over the Padres. Right now the Padres. So the Padres have a half game lead over the Phillies. The Phillies have won their last two games, but they sort of nosedide for a little bit before that. So the Padres have now hopped over the Phillies. But yeah, I mean, you know, there's still a couple weeks. Some things could change hands.

Starting point is 00:26:59 And who knows? Maybe the debacks have an opportunity to try to get the Brewers into the playoffs. And, you know, try to screw the Padres in the process. We'll see. There's a lot of interesting storylines. Tampa Bay making it into a wildcard spot. Seattle making it into the wild card spot. Toronto.

Starting point is 00:27:16 Oh, the Mariners. Oh, the Mariners. Yeah. You know, I met a lot of Mariners fans when I was living in Washington. And honestly, there's not that many of them, at least like in my immediate circle there. Everyone roots for the Seahawks and they're like unaware that Seattle has a local baseball team. They don't actually know it's a thing. But the poor Mariners.

Starting point is 00:27:37 These are people in their 20s, aren't they? They have to be. Yeah, it's a sort of a mix. If you grew up in the 90s, there's no way you don't know the Mariners, but that's a That's fair. That's fair. But yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, no, the more I think about it, like older people, they've had their scars from rooting for the Mariners over the years.

Starting point is 00:27:55 So they probably knew who they were. But anyway, the Seattle Mariners haven't made the playoffs since 2001. So I just have to give them a little shout out. It looks like they're in good position. They're in good position. And interestingly enough, the next team that could make it in and start. of them is the Baltimore Orioles who have had a fantastic season. The Baltimore Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks were fighting for last place at this time last season, right?

Starting point is 00:28:17 So the fact that the Orioles are four games out of a wild card spot and the Diamondbacks just now today were eliminated from wild, from playoff contention just goes to show how far those two teams have come, you know, and how much they've kind of bounced back. when you look at how many teams are below them, how many teams were there last year too, right? Like the nationals were one of the bottom teams. Pittsburgh was. These teams are still at the bottom, right? Oakland, these are all teams that were there last year. Baltimore and the Arizona Diamondbacks have both have the best bounce back seasons of any team.

Starting point is 00:28:52 Obviously, Baltimore being seven games over 500 being a much better, much better bounce back season. Pretty wild. Also, Kyle Bradish for the Baltimore Orioles today, had a perfect game going. He finished with eight and two thirds innings in that game. So yeah, speaking of guys you maybe never heard of who were like really, really, really good. Yeah, Kyle Bradyish, pretty incredible outing for him tonight for Baltimore. Aaron Judge has been doing incredible things for the New York Yankees.

Starting point is 00:29:23 One thing I find to be kind of funny as a person that, I mean, don't get me wrong. My bloodline ties back to being a Yankees fan deep down inside. We've heard about your dark past at times. I don't try to hide my past. I don't try to hide my past. I just try to embrace it and learn from it and get better as a person, right? But there are a lot of people mad about Aaron Judge being the big story in baseball this year. And I kind of find that funny because how is he not? I mean, is he not?

Starting point is 00:29:50 Is he not the big story in baseball? He and Otani, right? I guess. Otani's old news, though. Otani isn't, at the very least, Otani isn't doing all this for a team that's, winning their division and going into the postseason, right? The angels were somehow eliminated before the Diamondbacks were. It's not good for them over there in Anaheim, right?

Starting point is 00:30:14 But definitely I get what people are saying. Shohay Otani is always going to be up there. He's always going to be there. But there's times where, you know, you kind of give the guy that's having this special moment for his team. I think it's just one of those things that a lot of national sports writers give it attention. And then that pisses a lot of people off that like so much attention. Yeah. I mean, he's in New York, you know?

Starting point is 00:30:37 I mean, there's just like, it's a perfect recipe for Aaron Judge to get all of the baseball headlines from the national media for like several months, which is basically what's happened. But I guess he's having an okay year. It's an all right year. You know, 60 homers, I guess. I guess that's worthy of some notoriety. So, yeah, been pretty incredible.

Starting point is 00:30:58 Who do you think is poised to have a magical run in the playoffs? Jesse. Ooh, who is poised to have a magical run in the playoffs? I still think the New York Mets are a pretty interesting team. There have been some health issues, obviously with Scherzer and de Grom, but I mean, those two guys are about as dominant of a one-two punch as you'll find. And of course, in the playoffs, that's huge. And Diamondbacks fans know that better than anyone.

Starting point is 00:31:27 If you have a dominant one-two punch in the postseason. you can get pretty far. We know a thing or two about that. For sure. And everyone wants to see the trumpets in the playoffs. Like throughout all of October. There's nobody who doesn't want to see that. Yeah, no, you're not wrong about that.

Starting point is 00:31:45 The Dodgers, as good as they are right now, and is genuinely, like, incredible as this team is, you can still kind of see how in the playoffs some things could go wrong for them. Their starting rotation depth is pretty solid. Tony Gonsolin, I think, is still on his way back from injury. But you're still at a spot where, like, okay, you know, Tyler Anderson's had this outstanding season. But like, is Tyler Anderson going to, you know, start big games in the postseason?

Starting point is 00:32:13 Like, I don't know if they're totally ready to go there yet. I feel like you're just picking on guys that play for the Dodgers that have two first names. Like, it's like Tyler Anderson. I guess Anderson is a first name. I mean, yeah, Anderson Cooper. Anderson Cooper. Anderson. Can you think of another Anderson than Anderson Cooper?

Starting point is 00:32:29 I don't need to. because that guy has a television show. Anderson Pack. I have no idea. Exactly. Of course. Why should I even do this with you? Of course.

Starting point is 00:32:36 Why should I even tell you names of famous people that you don't even know? It's not a game I'm going to play with you tonight. Yeah, well, I... Evan Phillips, all of these guys. You have a problem with two first name guys. Anyway. Tyler, yeah. Anderson is a last name far more often than it's a first name, but I grant to you it is possible.

Starting point is 00:32:54 And a last name that are sound like two first names. Jesse is going to say that nobody knows who. you are. Are you about to tell me that you know, you know someone who's first name is Vesia? I could know someone that knows his name Vessia. I wouldn't, I wouldn't have heard of them anyway. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Uh, this is, this is what my day is like all the time. Folks. This is what my text message exchanges with Jesse are like. This is what meetings with him are like, it's like this all the time. Just me poking and prodding you and then, and then you like answer my question or whatever and I don't, I don't understand your response. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.

Starting point is 00:33:30 I feel like I'm on OGs with this guy all the time, but that's a good thing because OGs make you feel great. And if you haven't had a chance to try out our friends at OGs, they have a brand new line of sleep gummies that are incredible. Take it from somebody who has enjoyed them and digested them and had some very, very good night's sleep. I told you, Jesse, I have an internal clock that runs at about six hours. That's the most I can sleep in one stretch is about six hours.

Starting point is 00:33:56 And luckily, with these sleep addition gummies, You won't have that problem because I don't have that problem anymore. Don't sleep on these. They are the brand new aqua berry flavor gummies that have a special formula of 2 to 1 THC to CBN ratio, which CBN is a sleep compound that specifically helps with falling asleep and staying asleep. Vakala asked me the other day if she has a problem with taking Indicas and then waking up. I told her she probably shouldn't take this because if she can't.

Starting point is 00:34:30 You can't wake up on an indica. Let me tell you, this particular one knock me out like a sack of bricks. I don't know. Is that a sack of bricks? I don't know. But we recommend you check it out. So you sleep like a sack of bricks over at OGs online at OGsbrands.com or on Instagram at OGs brands. That's OGE-E-Z. Find their products at your local dispenser. If you can't check their website, must be 21 years or older to purchase. And grab yourself some OGs. Get yourself a great night's sleep and get ready to join us out at Four Peaks Brewing Company. the 8th Street pub for our ASU tailgate party. Come out to Peaks Tailgate this Saturday to get to will this ASU team on. They need your help. They need your support. They need to beat Utah. That's what they need to do. So $50 get you access to the full buffet.

Starting point is 00:35:16 The buffet is loaded, Jesse. That's still the most wild deal in pH and Xist's right here. Nachos, chicken wings, grilled chicken sandwiches, pulled pork, barbecue sandwiches, dessert including cheesecake and donut holes. Plus you'll get two four-peak beers. Pumpkin porter cheesecake. Don't skip over that. Oh, yeah.

Starting point is 00:35:35 No, you're right. This isn't just any cheesecake. You all know October's right around the corner. Pumpkin porter cheesecake. It's it's pumpkin season. You guys know that. It's pumpkin. It's PSL season.

Starting point is 00:35:47 And the best way to celebrate that is with pumpkin porter cheesecake. But you also get two free beers and a ride to the stadium. Plus, like I said, the PHNX Sun Devils guys, will be out there cheating at Cornhole. They'll be cheating at Jenga, and they'll be cheating at Kinect 4. So keep an eye on them at all times. And I don't know if this deal has passed yet,

Starting point is 00:36:06 but it's still in the ad read. So the first 15 people to sign up, receive a ticket to the game, and a PHNX membership. The next 15 people to sign up will receive a PHNX membership. That's $150 value for $50. I mean, and it's a great Saturday.

Starting point is 00:36:22 Let me tell you. It's the best way to spend your Saturday. Click the link in our show notes to sign up. must be 21 years or older to enjoy and enjoy responsibly. It's been fun to watch the Chicago White Sox slowly slip away as close as they got to their division, Jesse. Because again, misery loves company. Remember that, folks. When you're miserable, you don't want to see people happy.

Starting point is 00:36:43 You don't want to see people succeed. And we don't want to see the CHGO White Sox guys happy. They called us lowly. We're petty and we remember that. And more than anything, we want to see them lose their division so that none of us make the postseason. They might be the best mid-team in our division, but damn it, we're coming, we're creeping on the come-up next season. Actually, they're young and exciting team, too, so we'll see what happens next season. But taking a look at the All-City Division, they definitely still seem to kind of have a stranglehold on first place.

Starting point is 00:37:13 Rockies are making the playoffs. They're not making the playoffs. They're not making the playoffs. They're six and a half games out of the wild part at this point. The Orioles are in front of them. Yeah, there's really, there's just pretty much no way. We gave up hope a long time ago, but they're just giving up. Pope now. So we're just trying to rub it in at this point.

Starting point is 00:37:27 The Chicago Cubs, Jesse, out of the seller, taking over third place, and our friends, Patrick and the DNVR Rockies, they slip in the last. Yeah. I don't know if I thought that would happen at any point. Not this season. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:37:43 I pretty much was sold that the Cubs were going to ride the basement the rest of the way. But yeah, the Rockies have not played great. Really, I mean, for the entire season at this point. But, the best of the worst. There you go. Josh said Derek, it is quite, in fact, the opposite.

Starting point is 00:38:01 You should be sleeping on these, including, that's sleep gummies. That was a good joke. Ryan says, we are the best of the worst. No, the best of the worst. Yeah, the Chicago White Sox, I suppose. But we'll get them. At the end of the day, I mean. None of us make the playoffs.

Starting point is 00:38:16 Yeah, like, it doesn't matter whether you finish with 82 wins or 78 wins or 72 wins. or 72 wins. None of them are making the play. As long as we don't finish with 75 wins, because if we finish with 75 wins, this guy over here is going to be in suffering. That was my prediction. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:38:32 We know. That was my prediction six months ago. You've brought it up before. I'm pretty sure I have the ability to predict the future. Let's take a look. If you did, you'd win more money on these sporting apps. Let's take a look at the schedule coming up to see if the Diamondbacks are going to get to 75 wins. They just hit 70 with their win yesterday.

PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - Despite dominating in LA at times, the Arizona Diamondbacks drop the finale & the series to the Dodgers

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