PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - POSTGAME: Ketel Marte’s BIG Night Isn’t Enough as Diamondbacks Lose Ground in Wild Card Race

Episode Date: September 20, 2025

Ketel Marte broke out of his September slump Friday night, going 3-for-4 with a double and a home run — but the rest of the Diamondbacks’ offense couldn’t keep up in a 5-2 loss. We break down how the Snakes were stifled by Walker Buehler out of the bullpen, the impressive MLB debut of Philip Abner, and where Arizona stands in the Wild Card race after key rivals picked up wins. Plus, we react to Jeff Passan’s latest piece on MLB’s salary cap debate and rant about the Dodgers once again “ruining baseball.”JOIN THE SUPPORTERS CLUB ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yc6km2r4An ALLCITY Network ProductionSUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/phnx_youtubeALL THINGS PHNX: http://linktr.ee/phnxsportsMERCH https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/phnx-lockerALLCITY Network, Inc. aka PHNX and PHNX Sports is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the City of PhoenixPHNX Events: Get your tickets to PHNX events and takeovers here: https://gophnx.com/events/ALLCITY — including us here at PHNX — is teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America for an exciting three-year partnership. To learn more, visit https://www.bbbs.org/allcity/APS:  Find instant rebates, discounts and special offers on smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances and more at https://marketplace.aps.com/default/heating-cooling/smart-thermostatsBranded Bills: Use code BBPHNX at https://www.brandedbills.com/ for 15% off your first order!Zen Leaf: Visit our friends at Zen Leaf (http://zen-leaf.store/phnx) for 50% off using promo code ZENPHNXSpencer’s Appliances: Visit Spencerstv.com and use code PHNX5 for 5% off appliances OR use code PHNX10 for 10% off TVs, audio and mattressesChicken N’ Pickle: Family friendly fun awaits! Visit chickennpickle.com to plan your visit today!Phoenix Raceway: Tickets, hospitality and upgrades are still available for the NASCAR Championship Series October 31st through November 2nd! Visit the link HERE to get yours now!Visit Mountain America Credit Union to learn more about their MyStyle Checking Accounts!bet365: https://www.bet365.com/hub/en-us/app-hero-banner-1?utm_source=affiliate&utm_campaign=usapp&utm_medium=affiliate&affiliate=365_03485317 Use the code PHNX365 to sign up, deposit $10 and bet $5 to get $150 in bonus bets!Disclaimer: Must be 21+ and physically located in AZ.  If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP, text NEXTSTEP to 53342 or visit https://problemgambling.az.gov/Branded Bills: Use code BBPHNX at https://www.brandedbills.com/ for 20% off your first order!Gametime: Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code PHNX for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.Shady Rays: Head to https://shadyrays.com and use code: PHNX for 35% off polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people.Circle K: Join Inner Circle for free by downloading the Circle K app today! Head to https://www.circlek.com/store-locator to find Circle Ks near you!Monarch Money: Use Monarch Money to get control of your overall finances with 50% off your first year at https://www.monarchmoney.com/phnxAll Pro Shade Concepts: Call 623-204-1476 or visit https://allproshadeconcepts.com/ now to schedule your free estimate!When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I don't know who to be mad at, whether it's Tori, whether it's this bullpen, or whether it's this offense. But tonight, the Diamondbacks did not have much of a sense of urgency in their eight to whatever loss to the Phillies. I don't even care. Let's start in 30 seconds. No ski tonight. No happiness, no nothing, but we are live in downtown Phoenix, Arizona from Studio K, presented by our friends at Circle K.

This is the PHNX Diamondback Show. My name is Derek Monty, occasionally known as your mayor of PHMX, and tonight's results were absolutely miserable. The Diamondbacks lost a very pivotal game to the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of eight to do. And you could say Tori Lovolo might have been a little outmatch tonight by Rob Thompson over there for Philadelphia because they had a good game plan with going from Taiwan Walker to Walker to Walker to Walker. And it worked. And I'm not going to sing the Walker song at all because those are. guys don't deserve. But welcome in. Glad to have you guys here. Damon, make that music go away. I don't want to listen to it anymore. Depresses me more than the score, I think. Eight to two,

the Diamondbacks lose this one. I don't know if anyone's ever noticed, but the music is basically just whatever my vibe is going after a post game. And right now, you'll just railroad right over me talking because I don't want to hear me talk about this game. You don't want to hear me talk about this game. These fine people, they want to hear me talk about this game for some inexplicable reason. and I appreciate it. But yeah, this one sucked because, of course, it felt very winnable at one point. This is another one of those games like the loss there to the giants

in extra innings where the final score doesn't really feel indicative of what the actual game was. This one was a close game. And despite putting up some early runs and taking the lead, the Phillies chipped away at Ryan Nelson and the DeVax bullpen until they finally broke through in the 8th, put up some big runs, and then more runs in the 9th. And again, it was just, the Diamondbacks kind of just went off the rails there.

Jake Woodford got left in this game entirely too long. And I'm mad about that. However, I'm trying to be reasonable, considering that the Diamondbacks' offense was only able to muster up two runs tonight. And even had the bullpen held, it feels like the Diamondbacks still would have fallen short in this game. But the D-backs did get off to a fast start, and that's what's so frustrating in this one. Of course, right away in the first inning against old friend Taiwan Walker, Cotel Marte, hit his 26th home run of the season to give the snakes a 1-0 lead. It was a solo shot.

It was 104 miles per hour off the bat, and it was beautiful. It went to 386 feet out to right field and would have donned in 30 of 30 ballparks. That is a very important thing to remember for what we talk about in Cattel's next hit. but uh damon before we get started i do have to remind everybody that this show is brought to you by our friends at bet 365 in game time of download the bet 365 app and use that code of phnx 365 when you sign up you'll get yourself some bonus bets for following a few easy steps and over at game time you will get $20 off your first already discounted ticket purchase saving on last minute ticket deals using our code of ph and x i watched this one from the ballpark and i was just wondering

if on TV it seemed as close as it was and that this score seems inexplicable, especially with the Diamondbacks jumping out to the early 2-0 lead in the first inning between Catelle Marte's bomb and what the offense was able to muster up there with that second run scoring Corbyn Carroll. I'm not going to lie, Derek. I thought we had him in the first half. I really did. Oh, my God.

I was feeling pretty good. I was like, Ryan Nelson, this is our best pitcher on the mound. the Phillies are going to capitulate as they keep getting more into their bullpen. For sure. And it just wasn't to be because I, you know what? Like it's unfortunate that like, for example, that Ketel double happens with no one on base. Yeah. For example.

Like, you know what I mean? And that's just the story of the deback season is stuff not happening at the right times. Guys not getting hits at the right times. Yes. And then, you know, it's the opposite when it's a good team like the Phillies. Here's the funny thing. Catele Marte doesn't take batting practice that often. It's just something that I noticed.

Now, I did talk to Cotel, and I did talk. I found out that he does have like a routine, right? So Cotel does take batting practice like at certain times, in certain days, some other times he hits in the cages. He's very routine oriented. And when I saw Cotel Marte out on the field taking BP, I was like, he's going to mash the ball today because he was destroying the ball in BP before the game,

just absolutely destroying it, literally almost hit one out of Chase Field, Damon. And I think, do we have the video of Cattel? Here's what Cotel said after the game about how he was fielding during BP. For sure. Yeah, I killed on the BP. Yeah, I almost hit the ball out of the bar. I hope I can continue to do good.

I know my team need me, and then that's not going to play I am. Tell Marthe U.S. today. He did note after the game that he discovered something he was doing with his hands. He didn't want to give up too much information so that opposing pitchers did not know what he figured out. But it seems like he figured out something, and watching him hit and BP made me lean over to Jack Summers,

who gave me credit on Twitter for me. Literally, while Catell was in the middle of hitting that home run, I was like, Catell's going to have a big day. He was killing it in BP. And then with that, there goes his first home run over the right field wall, 386 feet. Called it Babe Ruth style there. I kind of did.

I kind of did. I won't lie. And I was even surprised by my accuracy with that one. I mean, I was just thinking Cotel was going to get a little bit out of this slump that he's experienced in the month of September because he has not been good offensively. It's great to hear that he figured something out because if this Diamondbacks team can if they're going to make the playoffs,

if they're going to win any more of these games and may have any kind of chance at the postseason, they're going to need Cotel Marte to be a part of that offense. And tonight he was great. Unfortunately, the rest of the offense is what fell short. The Diamondbacks did get a second run in that first inning was basically on a couple of singles. Corbyn Carroll singled. He made it to third on a Gabrielle Moreno single that pretty much only happened because they put on the hit and run, and it caused the second basement to be out of position, and it caused Corby and Carroll to be able to not only get the third base, but Gabby to actually reach on a single that probably would have been an out otherwise. And then Blaze Alexander had a fielder's choice

that was originally ruled a double play and he was out, but then they overturned that call and the Diamondback scored their second run. But shortly after that, the Phillies would turn to Walker Bueller, who just dominated the Diamondbacks, quite frankly. And that's a big reason. and why they lost this game. They weren't able to really do anything against Walker Bueller tonight in relief. And it was a brilliant game plan there by Rob Thompson to turn to Bueller. It gives him a chance to rest his bullpen, which he absolutely needs to do in preparation for the playoffs and for the last eight games of their season after tonight. And Walker Bueller went out there and pitched three and two thirds innings. He only allowed two hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Diamondbacks had nothing cooking after that first inning. And and really didn't get anything going until the eighth inning when they were able to load the bases. Cattell singled with one out. Gabby walked, Blaze walks. Both of those guys walked with two outs. Jordan Lawler pinch hit at bat. Damon, what did you think about removing Adrian Del Castillo

from this situation and going to Jordan Lawler? In the moment, I thought to myself, ADC, he's been here before. And then I saw Jordan Lawler walking up to the plate. And I thought, Jordan Lawler's been putting together some pretty good ABs recently. He has. And then in a one-0 count, he popped it up to the infield and I was disgusting. I can't lie.

I mean, I really thought, I didn't think it was a great move, but I thought Adrian Del Castillo has been striking out a lot. He has struggled. I don't believe he's hit a home run this season. So it just felt like it wasn't in the cards for him. And I didn't mind it. I just didn't. I didn't know if going to someone like Jordan Lawler was just, you know,

kind of an even, you know, I didn't know if it was an upgrade from. Who else you got, though? I think you're going to platoon splits there probably, right? And, you know, Jordan Lawler is, he's been putting together good at bats recently, like we said. But it's unacceptable. You can't have an AB that in a 1-0 count, you pop it up like that. I also, like Mace's Devil, I also thought about a sexy man Jimmy McCann, aka James McCann coming into the game as well.

You're always thinking about Jimmy McCann. I mean, at least his arms. at least his arms, but that's neither here nor there. But I do think that what ended up happening makes this discussion about the offense seem futile because of what the bullpen did. However, I feel like Tori manages this game potentially differently with a different outcome if the offense was able to muster up some runs, maybe take a lead there. In the eighth inning, obviously they don't go back to Jake Woodford.

And that would have been difficult considering that they already had a three-run deficit at the time. and their offense really wasn't putting up a lot of runs. But this is where I'm conflicted with this loss. The offense did not do enough, quite frankly. And, you know, it makes it feel like what happened there with Jake Woodford at the end was inconsequential. However, you know, it infuriated me in the moment. It really did to think of this team being down by three runs, going to the top of the ninth and leaving Jake Woodford out there. and I'm going to scream about that a lot more here in a minute,

but I'm going to calm myself down. Defensively, Perdomo tonight made one of the best defensive plays we have ever seen him make, ever, ever. It was a diving stop and throw by Perdomo. It was deep into left field. And not only did Perdomo make an absolutely brilliant stop on the ball, but it was one of the strongest, most accurate throws I've seen Heraldo Perdomo making his entire career.

And it just shows me how much better this. guy can even be. If he can continue to make plays like that, uh, amazing, amazing future for Prudomo, already amazing future. I don't know what was better. The, the snag or the throw. Uh, Damon, I don't know if you had a chance to break that down, but Derek, Derek, do, did I have a chance to break that down? You saw my tweet about it. I'm, I'm over here just upset that now everybody's favorite player is Heraldo Prado. It used to be cool. It used to be hipster. It used to be be I was on the cutting edge. You don't want to be like part of the like the popular group.

And now everybody's part of this crew. Yeah. I mean, I get it. He's that he's that likable. I get it. That was amazing. It really was. That was special.

What, what I did want throw or snag. What was better? Man, probably the throw, right? Yeah. The ability to pop up like that,

no momentum and we've seen it across. We've seen them make those plays defensively, but not have the arm strength really to. get it there, right? Like we've seen them make good stops, but then still the burner reaches because you can't make that strong of a throw across the diamond. And that was just, that was big stuff. That was big stuff. The team was, did get a motivational speech before the game from Marshawn Lynch. And I can only imagine, literally only imagine how that went. Marciaun Lynch was at Chase Field today pregame, taking batting practice and doing some stuff for Thursday night football when the Diamondbacks

play the Seahawks. So that's going to be fun to see that. He was hanging out, paling around with Randy Johnson, went back and attempted to hit Randy Johnson level of pitches off the track machine. I heard he was unsuccessful with that. Also, overall was a weird defensive moment in the sixth inning when Nick Castiano struck out and, like, argued the call with home plate umpire Gabe Morales, which blocked Gabby from making a throw.

a second to get Brandon Marsh stealing. And I just didn't understand what was going on in the moment because it was all very confusing. And, you know, I also didn't understand why Gabby Moreno wasn't given any kind of obstruction call of any kind. I guess he would have had to hit Nick Castiano in the back with a baseball in order for him to get an obstruction call. I don't know, David, but that that situation was weird. I feel like nitpicking some of these small situations. However, it doesn't really matter. That one was important. important though because Marsh was safe and he would go on to score the go ahead run on a West and Wilson RBI single to give the Phillies the three to lead and the three two lead really was

the the point where you know again the any further damage beyond that point is just kind of adds and makes it an embarrassing loss but overall there the Diamondbacks offense didn't do enough to overcome that three two deficit let alone the eight two deficit but tonight Heraldo Pridomo won for four with a double. Not a lot of offense, and that's really the big problem here. Catelle Marte, it was great to see him wake up, and it was great to see him have a great game. It's great to hear that he figured some stuff out with his hands. But, again, it wasn't enough.

Cattel could not do it on his own. Corbyn Carroll was one for three with a walk and a run scored, and Gabriel Moreno also won for three with a walk and a run scored. But you know who our King Snake is in this one. It is the guy, the guy who gave us some great. great interview after the game. Catelle Marte. Three for four tonight.

He had a run scored in RBI, one home run, and one double. And let's hear from Cotel. This is what he had to say about feeling good and figuring things out with his hands there. I'm feeling great. I was trying to make adjusting at the home play. And then I was just working a little bit on my hand.

And then I figured out what's going on in the past. Yeah. It's a foot feeling much better at this point. Yeah, I feel good. Yesterday I was watching a lot, all my video, I think, from last year, and then I think I figured out what's going on. Would you pick up? It's something about my hand.

Okay. Private. Yeah. I don't need to know, yeah. I don't want any picture to know. I don't want any picture to know. I love what they're secretive about. stuff, but they don't tell us why they're being secretive, but someone like,

Intel's like, yeah, I don't want the other pitchers to know. I figured it out. Even if it's just something for me, I don't want them to know. But he was good tonight. The rest of the offense wasn't. Let's hear from Tori on this loss and how he feels about the things spiraling out of control there at the end. The day started well enough, you know. Kattel gets off a good swing. Hits that solo home run. Followed that up with another run, some good. good approaches, you know, you're sitting two nothing and you feel like, you know, you want your

team as ready as possible in the first inning. I think that we answered any questions about the lingering effect of what happened a couple days ago. So I was very pleased with what happened early. And then we just kind of went into one into a different mindset where the name of the game was execution. And we just were not executing at a high level in certain areas and certain, certain times, you know, runners in scoring position.

I feel like we gave a couple of that bats away. We made a big error to start the eighth inning. I think we were misfiring some pitches, poor pitch sequencing, perhaps, some mistakes. And, you know, this is a team. When you do something like that, they can put up those big points. So it's five or six runs over the final three or four innings. You know, we got to pitch better than that.

And we, you know, we can't. So we got to find a way to digest this and just keep digging in and moving on. That's all we can do. Like I said, it was nice to see Ketel get off in that first inning and hit that solo home run. Had a couple other really nice hits. So you're looking for a catalyst.

We have a couple on our team. He's always been one. So if he joins the other few guys that have really been carrying the workload, that's what we're looking for. Hopefully that will be. be the start of something for a Kutel. Nelly, you know, had a grinding fifth or some other moments. They were just wearing him down and he wasn't,

he wasn't necessarily hitting every spot. It was, everything looked like it was hard. They were making some good adjustments on them. But when you come off the mound, you give up two runs over five innings. You're doing a lot right. But the pitch count climbed a little bit too much for me, sent it back out there in the sixth inning after that 30 plus,

I think it might have been 31 pitches in the fifth inning. So just did all he could keep us in the game, which he did, but we couldn't capitalize. Well, a lot of things went wrong with the pitching tonight, and Tori just kind of let this game get out of control on them. It didn't really feel like there was a sense of urgency to stop the bleeding in this situation and to keep this game from getting as out of control as it did. But Tor could tell after the game did feel pretty good about the Diamondbacks chances still. and again, they still have two more games against the Phillies to turn this series around, so we'll see what they do on Saturday and Sunday. Here's what Kattel had to say about feeling good about his team's chances.

I think we have a chance. We have a chance. We just got to continue the work. And a hot phone out there, we don't have impression. We believe in our talent. We got a lot of talent in this club. tomorrow forget about today

and then tomorrow we come play we are hungry and I think we're going to be right there were shirts today in the clubhouse that said fun all over them I think you guys may have seen them on social media or the players wearing them

they were it was the players wrote fun each person in their own handwriting wrote fun and they put it as like collaboration on a t-shirt and I don't feel like they were having fun and I didn't feel like it was a fun mood today. It was a weird mood today.

The entire mood at the ballpark was so completely extraordinarily absurd and weird. I mean, we had Italian Catholic Heritage Night on Stranger Things night, on a night where Marshaun Lynch stopped by the ballpark with a camera crew to take batting practice and give the guys the motivational speech. on a night where Manny Ramirez was just randomly at the ballpark down there on the field. Nobody knew why. It was a strange night. It was definitely a stranger things kind of night at the ballpark.

Jack Summers, my buddy, he kept talking to me about how ominous the stranger things stuff was. He is not a viewer of that show. So he was just looking at the horror movie aspect of it. But I do have to say that teams should probably avoid a theme night anywhere near the end of the season. it could be potentially very distasteful, depending on the situation. And I know this was set up a long time ago, but I would prefer that when we are in the middle of a wild card hunt,

the final nine games of the season, we're not doing Stranger Things nights. Call me a fuddy-duddy. I don't know. But anyway, we're going to take a quick break. Actually, you know what? We have one more sound from Ketel that I want to hear. Actually, I want you guys to hear.

This was Kattel at the end of our media availability with him, just professing how glad he is to be a diamond back. and how happy he is to have been here for the period of time that he's been here. Thanks everybody. Thanks my family for always support my life. And it feels good to be a diamond bar. And it takes my haste to let me play here for nine years. And we want to see that man play the rest of his career here.

So it's great to see him and like great for him to be feeling good. Great that he figured out something that was going on with his swing. That obviously whatever improvements he made, the results were there tonight. Like I said earlier, unfortunately, the rest of his offensive teammates or teammates could not get their things, their stuff together there at the plate

to get this win. So we're going to take a quick break, and we're going to talk about the pitching tonight, Ryan Nelson on the mound, who struggled a bit to get any kind of swings and misses against the Phillies and this bullpen. We're going to do that on the other side of this break. Don't you go anywhere you're watching the PH&X time of that show.

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Sometimes, sometimes you just get tired of contacting insurance carriers and you just finally settle with one. So let Access Auto help you out there, trusted by the community, rooted in Phoenix, and ready to help. All statements are subject to terms, exclusion, and conditions of the applicable policy. In all instances, the current policy contract language prevails, coverage is subject to individual policy. holders meeting under under under underwriting qualifications state availability other terms conditions and exclusions may apply well Ryan Nelson had his work cut out for him tonight against a tough Phillies lineup and unfortunately for us the Phillies do not seem to be letting up they did like I said they turned to kind of a two-man team there in their pitching situation tonight between

Taiwan Walker and Walker Bueller meanwhile Ryan Nelson got the bulk of the work tonight He really just kind of struggled at times with keeping his fastball low and away from those dangerous Phillies hitters. He did that okay in the first inning a little bit, but in the second he gave up a single to Marsh and then an RBI double to Alec Bohm. That was his first run, but he did a good job of limiting the damage. He just didn't seem to be fooling many Phillies hitters tonight. His breaking stuff wasn't really landing in the zone, and when it was, they were able to foul it off. and that seemed to be the case with Ryan Nelson's pitches all night long. It felt like Ryan Nelson just really couldn't get these Phillies hitters to swing and miss anything.

They weren't swinging and missing at pitches outside of the zone, and they were not swinging and missing at his fastball in the zone. He threw, he did end up throwing his fastball 56% of his outing. He threw the cutter 22%, and then he threw the curveball 15%. But the curve ball was not really competitive, as you might be able to see. here. A lot of the curveball, those blue dots, fell outside the strike zone, far outside of the strike zone, far down in the zone, and, you know, Phillies batters weren't not swinging at them. And it was a frustrating night for Ryan Nelson overall. He gave up a solo home run on top of the

fifth to Harrison Bader that tied the game up at two. And even though it was a frustrating night, it didn't really feel like Ryan Nelson had a terrible outing. That's the wild part about it is he struggled, he battled, he had to deal with Harrison Bader who was locked in. That's another guy, Damon, by the way, who if I was going to put money on a Phillies batter to have a good night, it would have been him because that dude was locked in also in BP. He was also wearing a crop top shirt. And when a man goes out there and pummels a baseball while wearing a crop top shirt, what am I supposed to think that he is not going to come out there in the game and go five for five and have five home runs? Like I knew that we were in trouble. The minute I saw that during

batting practice. I didn't realize how good Harrison Bader's been this year. 283, 16 bombs. He's been really good. Yeah, 123 OPS plus. Solid season. He was a problem tonight. He was a problem tonight for the Diamondbacks. Harrison Bader went three for five with that home run. I think he also had a double, if I'm not mistaken, or maybe just the single, but just really good. Hard out tonight for this team. And Ryan Nelson, again, just didn't have his best stuff tonight. However, against the very good Phillies team, he still went five innings,

giving up five hits, two run runs, two walks, and one strikeout. The one strikeout, that's probably the problematic part. Those are way, that's way too many strikeouts, Damon. He did not have four strikeouts, just one. He just has one. But it was his fourth straight, no decision, and he has eight, eight, eight no decisions in his last nine starts.

If I was Ryan Nelson, I would contact the commissioner to do something about this. I don't know. I would, I mean, Randy Johnson was there. I'm sure there was a stretch during Randy Johnson's career

with this team that he had eight, no decisions in nine starts. So I'm sure they could find that very relatable. But overall, just not a terrific night from Ryan Nelson, but still, even when he's not at his best, Ryan Nelson is still very effective. And he gave this team a chance

to win. He handed the ball over to the bullpen, and we have a lot. We have a lot to talk about the bullpen, Damon. We have so much to talk about. First, Jalen Beeks. He came out. He did a decent job. He wasn't perfect, and he did give up the run that allowed this Phillies team to take the lead there, or excuse me, put things a little bit further out of reach. However, Taylor Rashi came in. Taylor Rashi was not good. I felt bad. about putting the Rashi Rashi meme out there. Probably should have waited until after his outing before deciding to do that. Before the game, the Diamondbacks made a roster move, or I believe maybe it was even yesterday,

calling up Philip Abner from AAA Reno, selecting his contract, and sending Kyle Backus down. And Phil Babbner has had an amazing season. We talked about it a little bit, I believe, on yesterday's show. He has not allowed a run in eight games. so far for the Reno Aces and eight in a third innings pitch. He only is allowed, I believe, two hits and three walks. And he came into today's game, making his major league debut against Kyle Schwarber, who is one of the biggest monsters in baseball right now, as far as hitting home runs. He came in with runners inherited. He faced Kyle Schwarber and his major league debut and struck him out. Then he proceeded to load the bases on what seemed like some of the run. somewhat of an intentional, unintentional walk there. And then with Alec Bohm, or no, excuse me, with, was Brandon Marsh up at the dish,

he struck Brandon Marsh out. It was, quite frankly, one of the most impressive debuts by a reliever, I think I've ever seen. He walked J.T. Real Muto because he was a righty, and it, again, it seemed like an unintentional, intentional walk. and again just cool as a cucumber out there handled his business and did an excellent job i could tell again pregame when we were talking to this guy he made a comment about he didn't care when he came

into the game uh that that clip is on our twitter right now so if you want to go check that out uh he basically just said fourth inning he's closed it doesn't matter he doesn't care he's just going to come in and throw out strikes and that's what he did in this game and he did a really impressive job. He did give up a single to Bryce Harper, walked Real Muto, and then struck out Brandon Marsh. So it was an impressive debut there for one of the guys who, after just one game, has probably moved very close to the circle of trust. Abner might not be in the circle of trust yet, and it's a very small circle, but he's moved closer. News, though, from Tori Lovolo, by the way, after the game, he did say that Andrew Saul-Frank was not available, and he made it sound like

Andrew Saul-Frank was dealing with perhaps some sort of injury, so I'm not sure. Brandon Garcia at one point was warming in the bullpen, but he sat back down and did not pitch tonight. So he was available. John Curtis and Juan Murillo, the other guys that were available that did not pitch in tonight's game. I bring that up because in the eighth inning, after Abner went out, there gave you two thirds of an innings pitch, gave up one hit, one walk, and two strikeouts.

Jake Woodford came into the game. And I know that at one time, Tori Lovello kind of leaned on Woodford for some late inning relief in some, you know, high leverage situations. And Woodford came through for this team. But he did not tonight. And again, Jake Woodford struggled there in the eighth inning. He did pitch one inning. He gave up a bomb.

there to Nick Castiano's. I gave up one hit, two runs, one earn run, zero walks, and struck out three after one inning of work, right? So again, the big point here is he gives up that bomb to Nick Castiano's, a two-run bomb, and it makes the game at the time five to two. Now, a three-run deficit with the way that this offense was performing was enough for the Phillies to most likely win this game. However, I think it's that point that really frustrates me. with Tori's game plan tonight and the fact that he did not turn to a different arm in the ninth inning. And again, this is all a moot point considering that the Diamondbacks did not score enough runs to overcome the three-run deficit, let alone the eight-run deficit. However, this is where a lot of people are stuck on the decision to keep Woodford out there, go back out there for the ninth. And while the Diamondbacks were still just down by three runs, he gives up three hits, three more earn runs, two walks, and didn't strike out anyone. He did have, you know, did pitch the ninth

and got through it. But again, it was just frustrating, especially with the importance of this game, especially with the fact that we watched both the Mets and the Reds come back in their respective games and win them. And it all happened like at once too. There was a point where the Mets were down and they were down to the Nationals 4 to 1, and the Reds were down to the Cubs, I believe, 4 to 2. And then you blinked, and the Diamondbacks were up like 2-0. And then you blinked, the next thing you knew,

there were just fours across the board, 4-4 in the Mets' Nationals game, 4-4 in the Cubs-Reds game. And then you blinked again, and now the Mets were up 8-4, and the Reds were up 7-4, and the Diamondbacks were tied with the Phillies, and then they lose it.

This was an important game to keep pace with those teams, considering they won. And it didn't feel like there was any sense of urgency there late to stop the Phillies from scoring runs. Putting Jake Woodford back out there just felt like an absolute white flag on the night. And maybe it was. Maybe at that point, Tori Lavello looked around his dugout, didn't see a lot of life in those bats and figured,

we're probably not going to do this. So whatever. But I think every fan, I think everybody that was rooting for this team to do something exciting during that, you know, down the stretch and make an actual effort at the postseason, and wants to see them pushing their chips in on every single game because that's how important every single one of these games is. The big question, and some of you are discussing it in the chat for sure,

but where is Nabil Krisumat? Why not counter the Walker Bueller move with Nabil Krisumat coming in? Why not save your bullpen and save your arms in the same manner that the Phillies are doing and are going to be rested for the remainder of the series? The Phillies are doing this long term. They're not really doing this just specifically to beat the Diamondbacks, but tonight it worked out well for them, only needing to go to Walker Bueller,

and then they also go to Banks and Lazar. And Banks, he just came in to finish up, you know, that fourth inning of work for Walker Bueller after he pitched three and two thirds, and then Lizar got the ninth. But this is just a situation where you wanted to see Tori counter Rob Thompson with something, and you had that weapon in your bullpen.

when is nabil chrismat going to pitch now that he's been removed out of the starting rotation i feel like he would still need to pitch here soon uh in order to keep him essentially stretched out to a degree and and and you know ready and available as a bullpen arm i'd feel like considering he stretched out to be a full-time starter uh that you know having him come out and and pitch a couple of innings in this game would have uh would have maybe kept this game much closer maybe would have kept your team motivated And that maybe that eighth inning when you loaded the bases goes, goes differently. That's a different timeline that we don't currently live in.

And it might have been snuffed out by Thanos or Loki when he consiled the timelines. I don't really know. But I just don't understand what happened at the end of this game with the available pitchers. And I think everybody would have just liked to see even if it was, maybe it's not the right move. Maybe we're dumb people. But I think we would have just lever, would have rather to see some sort of effort made there in the ninth inning.

there was a point where Woodford once again struggling in the ninth that Tori got Juan Morillo up and I like threw my hat down on the ground and I'm not supposed to do that in the press box but I felt maybe I just did it in my mind I don't know I'd usually try to behave myself but I felt like throwing my hat down

because it felt like I didn't understand what the hell was going on like if you're gonna save it if you're gonna save an arm and your team's down eight to two why are you getting Juan Morillo up to even warm up at that point like just let Jake Woodford stay out there

until it's 100 to 2. You know, I mean, I mean, it just, there were a lot of things that didn't make sense in this one. And again, hopefully this was a conceded effort so that going forward the Diamondbacks have, you know, arms available to try to win tomorrow and Sunday. Again, this was a night where the Diamondbacks offense was not able to do much. So I feel like ranting and raving about the bullpen and decisions made about Tori,

even, even me doing it right now, feels, I guess like cool whatever but since the offense didn't get going what is it really ultimately matter and that's what it what it feels like like I want to be upset and I feel like they should have done more to try to keep this game close but considering the dimebacks did not score any runs after that first inning it just feels like this one's more on the offense than it is on the bullpen but then maybe if things still go this way no matter how many runs scored it doesn't whatever I don't know. I'm frustrated.

I'm lost and I'm kind of done with this game. But we are going to talk briefly about the numbers from this one. And we're going to see where the Diamondbacks stand with this whole terrible wildcard race situation that they're currently in. We're going to do that on the other side of this break. Don't you go anywhere? You're watching the PHA next Diamondback show. Well, if you're an Arizona sports fan, there's no better place to do your banking than

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Bet 365 must be 21 or over and physically located in Arizona if you or if you were someone you know has a gaming problem that wants help call when 800 next step text next step to 533442 or visit problem. gambling.az.gov. We have more from Torrey here in regards to his decisions on the bullpet and other things that happened in this game. This was Tori responding to his decision to keep Jake Woodford in this game. Yeah, we were up against it.

We had a couple situations that we could have chosen a different path. I like the right-on-right matchups for Woodford. And we're trying to get them, we're trying to get them pushing the right direction. and just made a slider mistake to a mistake slider hitter, and that was the difference in really the ballgame for me. So we had some other options in there, but I wanted to save those guys for a situation. If in case we took the lead,

I want to make sure that we were in a good spot there. We're a little bit tired in the bullpen right now. Not everybody's available. I'll tell you that, but it was just a decision that was made. I understand. They're tired in the bullpen, and things are long. But I mean, this is the final, like, stretch of a marathon, right?

At this point, you have rounded the final corner, and you can see the actual finish line. And it just requires you at this point to give it everything you have this last quarter of a mile. And that's what the Diamondbacks need to do. If they can't do that and they feel like they need to, like, game plan for the postseason, that postseason might never come.

Most likely will not come. So there really shouldn't be a need to hold anything back expecting to make the postseason because if you do, you probably won't find yourself there. But the offense, again, has not been putting things together lately. Let's take a look here first at the numbers from tonight's game presented by our friends at Desert Financial Credit Union. Diamondbacks lose this one to the Phillies, 8 to 2.

They get out hit 13 to 8. Diamondbacks did not, they did have, they weren't 0 for O, they were 0 for 6, but the batting average, still the same. 0-0-0-0-0. Phillies were 3 for 11 for a 273 batting average. The Phillies had five extra base hits. Diamondbacks just had the three. Two of those were Cattels.

And then, of course, expected batting average always wants to just stick its tongue out at us. Diamondbacks having a higher expected batting average in this game, 276 to the Phillies 251. despite being out hit 13 to 8. Tim Tawa, very unlucky. He was hitting the ball really hard, just right at defenders, or just in the vicinity of getting caught, just maybe going a little bit too far out of,

too far foul. But man, he was barreling up the ball and he was making some good contact, just very, very unlucky tonight, as you could say, about the entire offense. And it has been for the last two games. We haven't really seen much offense from this team over the last, what, 18 innings now?

this is what Tori had to say about the offense sputtering over the last two games. Yeah, I think the offensive continuity might be missing right now. And that happens from time to time. But we average close to five runs a game and we just got to keep pounding away at it. Whatever happened the other day, I'm not exactly sure. It was one run spread out over what 10 or 11 innings. I know we're better in that. So if you're looking at one area, it's probably executional with men in scoring positions.

Just go out there and take your same. not bats still be aggressive, stay in the middle of the zone and not change the thing and put too much pressure on yourself. I don't know, man. At this point, uh, the diamondbacks don't have much choice, but to apply pressure to themselves. And I mean, again, that's this team you can tell is already starting to get in their head about these nine games. You feel that's the reason why the fun shirts were made. But the fun thing feels forced. And it doesn't, you know, like, you can't tell people to have fun and expect them to have fun. That's not how having fun works.

Trust me, I am a parent. I've tried to scream at my child to have a fun time. And that doesn't, it just somehow doesn't work. Screaming at them, have a fun time. We're all having fun. You're going to have a fun time, damn it. Get on the carousel. But in this case, I don't really feel like the team was fun.

I don't feel like they were loose today. And I don't feel like, I feel like that translated over. to this loss on what we saw. I think that this is, this was easier when the expectations weren't there, but now the closer things got, especially when they were the next team behind the Mets, the expectations started to build again,

and here they find themselves falling short in this game. Let's take a look at those wild card standings and see what this loss and the wins today did for the team. The Diamondbacks are no longer the team just behind the Mets. They are currently, and boy, that happened, three games back of the Mets now. The Mets sit and the final wild card spot now at 80 and 74. The Reds are two games back at 78 and 76.

And now the Diamondbacks sit here, three games back at 77 and 77. Not a lot of time to make up ground and not much more time for mistakes to be made. They definitely have to finish this series against the Phillies Strong. And then things don't get better next week. if you know that or not, but they have the Dodgers coming into town. And Damon, there's a disgusting, disgusting thing hanging over our head here with those three games that you see there on your screen against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are projected to clinch the National League West here at Chase Field. And people are already sending out the pictures

of the time when they peed in our pool. And Damon is dead. Damon is dead. He's lying on the floor face down. This show is coming to a screeching halt. We aren't moving forward. There will be no more graphics. I should just wrap things up. But if I do, there's no one that's going to be able to end it because Damon has died on the floor. Yes. Tori Jovolo, you're absolutely right. We need swimming pool security. And it can't just be me this time. Because back then and the back in the day, it was just me.

and I obviously did a poor job of stopping them. I think if I am not there, I stand for nothing in life. And Espo. Damon on a horse. By the grace of Espo, he should allow me to not be on the postgame show to defend this pool.

Yeah. It means that much. I mean, it means everything. It means everything. It means everything. You know what we could do is just beat them and not let them clinch here.

Could we do that? We could do that. They did clinch a playoff spot tonight thanks to, of all things, this Diamondback's loss. And we're not done talking about the Dodgers ruining baseball. We have more to talk about the Dodgers ruining baseball. But I did want to just remind you guys before we talk more about the Dodgers ruining baseball that big brothers and big sisters, we love them.

And we would love for you to support them. All city, including us here at PH&X, have teamed up with big brothers and big sisters of America. And this just isn't about sports. This is about community, which, as you guys know, is very big to us. we are helping out. You can donate right now, I believe, on this episode, and it just adds to our total, which we are trying to raise a total of $50,000 this month

as a collective group with All-C. And again, you can help support the great work Big Brothers, Big Sister does in our community by hitting that donate button today. If you were going to send a super chat that goes to you, BCSC, please go ahead and donate. And we'll read your guys' chats for sure, just let us know. We're excited to support youth mentorship that really makes a difference. You can learn more and see how to get involved at BBE.

at BS.org slash all city. It's a very important cause to us. Before, we did have a good thing happened to us today. It wasn't just this terrible game. We did get a chance to talk to Blaise Alexander. And before we get out of here, we're going to play you a little clip of that. But of course, make sure to go check out that full clip. We have the full interview on our YouTube page. You can go watch it right after you're done watching this episode, but we will have a little bit of that for you. But like I said, the Dodgers, they continue to ruin things. They're ruining our time. They could ruin our

pool chemistry. The pH balance in our bull, you know, they're going to ruin that. But they also ruin baseball. And according to an article from Jeff Passon, he wrote about how basically the Tanner Scott signing by the Dodgers of all things may have been the tipping point

for everyone, except the players, to get together on implementing a salary cap in MLB. Per sources, per Jeff Pass and sources, the Dodgers, Damon, get this, are carrying a $340.9 million payroll. $340.9 million payroll. And that's with Otani's contract being an absolute sham, right? So because-

What are you doing to me right now? Well, no, it gets worse because I want to really upset you tonight before we get out of here. Because the Dodgers have exceeded every threshold of the luxury tax, which kicks in at 240, like, 240.9, 241. 1 million, and it includes penalties for repeat offenders like the Dodgers who just continue to go over the luxury tax every year. They owe, get this, an additional $167.4 million. They owe in penalties, $167.4 million, the Dodgers projected outlay is 508.4. $3 million.

It's just a few dollars short of the combined payrolls of the six lowest teams in baseball. Miami, athletics, Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland, all combined together, all of which carries sub $100 million payrolls currently. They will pay more in penalties than 16 teams do their entire roster. And they're trying to say that a salary cap is not needed. and what's crazy is it became the Tanner Scott signing that pissed people off. That was the move too far. Signing Tanner Scott was the point that caused everybody to be like,

I am done with this. Even the Yankees, the Yankees of all teams are like, how can we keep letting teams spend uncontrollably like this? The Yankees said that. Dude, you know it's bad when the Yankees are saying that. And I've been trying to tell people for like the better part of 10 years now, the Dodgers are like bordering on getting worse than the Yankees and no one wanted to believe them. Yeah. And look at what it's become. Here we are. They're paying the best player that maybe

we've ever seen two million dollars to play on their baseball team incurring millions and millions of tax fees. The Diamondbacks payroll next year, if reduced, is going to be around $170, $180 million. And that is what the Dodgers are paying in penalties. I mean, it's going to be above it, but just It's a drop in the bucket with their TV deal. Yeah, it's nothing. And their endorsement deals and everything else that they have going on. The website MLB trade rumors ran a two-question poll for its readers. Do you want a salary cap in Major League Baseball?

35,000 votes. 67.2% said yes. The second question, even darker, even sadder. It's the worst possible timeline. if it meant the implementation of a cap, 50.2% of the responders said that they would be willing to lose the entire 2027 season, which is what we're currently careening to based on the CBA expiring in December of 2026. So I don't know what's going to happen,

but this show is not going to be nearly as good without the actual game of baseball being played. I'll tell you that. and Damon and I will just kind of do debacks after dark about traffic and other things in life. I don't know. We'll have to figure it out. But let's do everything in our power to avoid a work stoppage. Because with the popularity of baseball already taking a pretty huge hit as of late and honestly rebounding nicely over the last few years, especially with the changes to the rules they made to bring casual fans in that want to watch the game now that it's not as long.

and now that they feel like there's more offense and it's more exciting to watch. But man, let me tell you, a work stoppage with this current generation of sports fans that literally will just watch something else and not care that you're not on, that's dangerous. It's dangerous for the players.

It's dangerous for the owners. And I hope that they figure out a way to avoid that at all costs. But again... It's my question, Derek. My one question I would ask Dodgers fans is, is it fun for you guys? Is it really that fun?

I mean, they're not even the best team in baseball right now, right? There's no way that's fun. They have all those expectations in the world. It feels like a complete failure if they don't make the World Series. And yet you're right. They're not even the best record in the National League. They're not. What a failure.

Yeah. Well, let's hope they keep failing. Scott Max says I like the hard cap of the NHL model. I think it's just wild in general that every other sport has a cap, yet baseball still finds themselves being the one that constantly argues why they don't need a cap. Maybe revamp everything with the financial structure of baseball, right? The way that young players are like under contract and the way that, like they've done a good job about the service time manipulation and things like that

to keep teams from doing that to young players. But let's just figure out a way to make this better all around. I feel like there's a solution here. maybe get more guys paid. And I agree. Katie Mae is not right. She says, Capp and Floor.

A floor definitely needs to be implemented. I feel like these six teams that carry a sub $100 million roster are just as culpable in the disaster that baseball is currently in as the Dodgers are. A thousand percent, there's no doubt about that. And I think a lot of Dodgers fans love to play the like, what about-a-sum game and be like, well, what about the A's paying this much? And you're like, also bad.

Also bad. Yes. Both can be true. It can be true that it's bad you have such a roster like you're spending so much on your roster and it's bad that they're not spending enough. But I want to get on to some good things before we get out of here. And one of the best things happened to us today, like I said earlier, Blaze Alexander stopped by. We had a chance to chat with him for a little while. And he wants to come back in here in the studio and talk some more. So apparently I didn't make an ass out of myself. But very excited that Blaze stopped by today. And we have a little bit of that interview for you here right now. here's us talking to Blaze and asking him your guys' questions from the diehard chat. Well, we do have a few questions from some of our diehards. And of course, there were a lot of them. So we picked a few here. But our guy, Ruggnar, wants to know.

I know this is probably a very commonly asked question. But what has been your favorite part being up your second time? And what was, what did you take away this time that you didn't when you came up the first time last year? Yeah, I think I'm just, I'm more in the moment. you know, I think, you know, last year coming up, like, I was new to, new to D-Hing, you know, kind of at that point, new to kind of moving around a little bit. It wasn't necessarily playing every day. It's kind of platoonant, which, hey, it's part of it.

You know, I'm not the only guy that had to go through that or do that stuff. But, yeah, I think I'm just really enjoying just knowing my name's in the lineup. I'm, you know, no matter where I'm playing, you know, I'm in that lineup. And, you know, I have an opportunity to contribute to the team. and yeah definitely just just my growth you know I think you know coaching staff training staff like I'm just a whole lot a whole lot more comfortable in that locker room you know I'm in there dancing around now you wouldn't really see me doing that last year it's kind of more like trying to be locked in and now it's like you know I'm not obviously I'm locked in at all times but

you know I'm having more fun I'm being myself you know I'm not not trying to be someone I'm not now I'm just you know I'm embracing who I am and yeah, I'm out there and just giving them hell, man, enjoying it, having fun and smiling. I love it. I love it. Well, from our guy, Sean, he said, from a personal standpoint, how proud are you to be in this position given the adversity you faced? And the circumstance of having to wait your turn to get the chance at everyday reps at a major league level. Yeah, super proud.

I mean, if you asked me this in, you know, spring training when I got heard, I wouldn't know that, you know, that I was in this situation. A lot of things had to happen, obviously, the trade deadline, you know, some injuries. But, you know, I'm super blessed. And, yeah, I think, you know, I just always stayed ready. You know, you never know when your opportunity is going to happen. And, you know, when it happened, you know, I wanted to make sure that, you know, I take full advantage of it. And, yeah, I remember, you know, when all the things were happening, trade deadline stuff, we were in Sacramento. know, and Hayeson kind of came in.

And just one thing that kind of stuck with me is like, hey, like a lot of you guys are, you're getting your opportunity now. So don't come into spring training next year, you know, saying you just, you just want an opportunity. Like it's right now. And that's something that stuck with me, you know, every day I come to the ballpark and, you know, I'm getting that opportunity. And I'm just trying to take, obviously, you know, full advantage of it.

And, yeah, you know, I'm just, again, happy I'm getting an opportunity. All right, we got one more from you from our guy, Russell, and he just wants to know how you're feeling about this stretch of where you are just both also trying to win and also having to kind of wait for other teams to lose potentially in order to catch up. Is it just a matter of taking care of your own business and letting the chips fall where they may at the end of the season?

Yeah, I think, you know, if we take care of our own business, you know, I mean, we could win out, you know what I mean? We could win out and not even have to worry really about other teams. and I mean, I guess unless the Mets went out too, but, but, you know, I mean, we, we can went out and kind of, in a way, control our own destiny, you know, so every day we come in, I'm not worried about the Mets, you know, if they lose, hey, it's cool, but, you know, we got to come in and we got to get the job done every day.

We got to, we got to come in, you know, I mean, focused, focused and, you know, determined to win every day, win every pitch. And, yeah, I think we're in a really, really, really cool spot, I think. Well, we have one more piece of business to take care of, and I want to thank you for making me stick to my word and dye my beard, right? I think it looks good. You know what? It wasn't a bad look. Damon and I, I still don't learn my lesson, though.

David and I have foolishly made yet another bet of sorts. We've stuck to our word. We've said that if you guys do the thing. We're not going to talk about the thing, but if you do the thing and the thing happens, Damon and I are going to get eyebrows. house slits like Catelle has and I have said I would even go as far as to maybe get my hair cut a little bit like his it's a mess under here right now so just just in solidarity with our second basement but those things I love it. You know we got our team barber here come see him and all right just tell him about Catelle's

cut and he'll just tell him I want the Catell cut all right well we're going to have to figure that out all right man but hey enjoy the Sour Patch kids they are the best candy ever so I'm glad we see Ida on that and bro we appreciate you joining us also we appreciate you killing it out there on the field so keep doing the big thing and we will keep we'll keep cheering for you here absolutely there i appreciate it big fan of the show and i appreciate you guys appreciate me on thank you man appreciate your time make sure to see the rest of that interview with blaze on our channel and we thank you guys so much for your time we're going to get out of here we will be back on monday to recap this series with the philly so join us then until then follow us on twitter i'm at cap underscore caveman with the k is at Damon dog with a DAWG. We're all Damon's dogs, bark, bark. Our show is at P HNX underscore D-Backs, but as always all roads lead to at PHNX underscore Sports

on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We love you guys, appreciate you stopping by, and hopefully the Diamondbacks can finish this series strong. We will discuss it on Monday with you. So until then, have a great weekend. Get yourself some rest, enjoy yourselves, watch some football, and remember kids. Baseball is fun, but it's so much more fun

when you don't leave Jake Woodford out there for two consecutive innings.