PHNX Arizona Diamondbacks Podcast - POSTGAME: Michael Soroka DOMINATES as D-backs Beat Blue Jays to Open Homestand

Episode Date: April 18, 2026

The Arizona Diamondbacks opened their home stand with a win over the Blue Jays behind another dominant outing from Michael Soroka. We break down how Soroka controlled the game from start to finish and continues to be a steady force in this rotation. At the plate, the D-backs got more production from Jose Fernandez as the rookie keeps stacking impressive moments early in his career, while Nolan Arenado turned in one of his better performances yet as he works his way out of that slow start. A good all-around night for Arizona (12-8 on the season) as they keep things moving in the right direction coming off that strong east coast road trip. Limited-time offer! Become a Diehard for just $36: https://gophnx.com/intro-offer-youtube WHILE SUNS ARE IN PLAYOFFS Limited-time offer! Become a Diehard for just $32: https://gophnx.com/suns-playoff-offer-youtube JOIN THE SUPPORTERS CLUB ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yc6km2r4 An ALLCITY Network Production SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube: https://bit.ly/phnx_youtube ALL THINGS PHNX: http://linktr.ee/phnxsports MERCH https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/phnx-locker ALLCITY Network, Inc. aka PHNX and PHNX Sports is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Phoenix PHNX 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/ Branded Bills: Use code BBPHNX at https://www.brandedbills.com/ for 15% off your first order! Husband & Wife Law Team: If you’ve had a serious injury, Call The Husband & Wife Law Team first at 602-783-8841 or visit https://husbandandwifelawteam.com/?utm_source=allcity-padcasts&utm_medium=digital-phx&utm_campaign=allcityShowNotes 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/ 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 40% 2+ pairs of 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! 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.

The D-Backs return home with a W against the Toronto Blue Jays. Michael Soroka dominates and is the ace of this team. And Nolan Aeronado carries the offense, just as we all six-back did. Welcome on into the PHNX D-Backs post-game show. Are you okay presented by our friends over at Circle K. It is I, your host for tonight, the evening. Damon Dogg, aka Damon Farrell, of course, Derek Montia, is probably off of more pure edibles than we could probably even realize that a human could consume tonight

as he's at the reggae rise-up festival, and we hope he's having a great time. But we didn't need him tonight because the Arizona Diamondbacks get the W on a Friday night and, of course, the Perpienti's uniforms. The fireworks were about as loud as humanly possible. If you guys want to hear people freak out about that, check out the P.H.N.X. Sun's watchalong that was going on while the fireworks were happening. because there was legitimate fear happening with Espo, Eric Ruby, and of course, Gil McGregor and producer Erriton over there. Because I guess the Diamondbacks have ramped up their fireworks show a little bit, but it's not just that that they've ramped up.

The season as well, the snakes, of course, are now 11 and 8 move to, you know, another W here against the Blue Jays to start off this homestand. And take advantage of a Blue Jays team that is really not playing the best baseball. as of right now, Michael Soroko, I'm sorry, 12 and 8, as my internet tab didn't load the proper record here. 12 and 8, the Diamondbacks are 6 and 2 at home, and it feels damn good. The snakes are indeed alive. And of course, I am not alone tonight.

I am joined by my guy, our guy, Alex Dagestino. Of course, if DBAX on SI, of course, also works with PHNX Cardinals, helping our written side on the go-PHNX.com. website, Alex, great to hear from you tonight. Great to have you on. We don't even need Derek. And of course, great game to do it for it because the Diamondbacks get another W. Yeah, I mean, want to know without Derek? What does that say? I don't know. People are talking. Yeah, I will say this is the second post game I've been on where Michael Soroka has shoved. So maybe that's something too. I don't know. Yeah, no. It definitely could be

something to it. And of course, I think that's a great place to start off is with our guy, Michael Soroka, because that does feel like the biggest storyline tonight. People in the chat already saying it. And also shout out to everybody here in the chat. If you guys are members, drop some cactus light emojis. We want to see those cactus light emojis, you know, go crazy in here. But yes, Yoshi, Derek did abandon us, but, you know, who didn't, Michael Soroka. And Michael Soroka, a guy that we talked about a lot in the spring training portion of this season as after he signed with Diamondbacks in the off season that like when this

rotation got to be past five guys when Merrill Kelly returned was it going to be Michael Soroka that was sent to the bullpen and we are now what is that four starts through the Michael Soroka experience and he has two starts with double digit strikeouts

a start in between where he was borderline perfect minus an opening inning where it seemed like maybe some weird stuff might have been going on with Gabby Moreno versus once James McCann got into the game. And then tonight, almost, you know, flawless again, gives up two earned runs in seven innings pitched, five strikeouts, no walks. How much of a blessing has Michael Soroka been to this organization so far this season? Yeah, when they signed him to kind of that

sort of risk kind of flyer deal, you're like, well, if he can get us, you know, maybe a league average ERA, like that's pretty good value. And, you know, I don't necessarily expect Ace like stuff to continue the entire season. But four, I mean, four wins. That's four wins that he has been partially or almost solely responsible for. I mean, especially tonight, I think, because that's one of those, this was one of those games where it was close. And he got, not only did he stop the Blue Jays from rallying, he also allowed the DBEX to use

two relievers and set up the rest of his homestand very. nicely, but the rest of this series at least. Yeah, no, I think that that's been maybe the biggest element of really what all the Diamondbacks pitchers have done for you this season. Even the guys that maybe haven't performed as well, like Brandon fought in quintessential Brandon fought fashion. You know, he would have one bad inning, but then he would manage to pitch six and keep it where your bullpen is not being strained out in game one of a series.

And all of a sudden, you know, you're kind of having to pick up the pieces in the back end of the series with, well, this guy might be able to pitch tonight and hopefully this guy's available. It feels like the length that you've been given from this pitching staff all season long has been probably its best attribute in keeping the bullpen fresh. And then you get the performance that you get out of the bullpen tonight. And, you know, Paul Seawald goes out there and he does it again. Like, I'm full disclosure. I'm watching with volume down because the sun's crew is out there and their game is do or die. But, I'm like, I'm like looking down and then looking up and, and there's two outs on the board for Paul Seawald.

And it just felt like it happened in such such fast succession. And this, this pitching staff in general all season long, whether it's the bullpen kind of playing above their heads or the starting pitching, doing what you thought the starting pitching was going to do the last two seasons. But it's just been, you know, about a comedy of airs where everything that could possibly have gone wrong goes wrong. And now you're finally seeing some things go right where E-Rod is, you know, maybe a notoriously inconsistent player, but you're getting that stretch of, you know, what good E-Rod looks like. Michael Soroka is pitching his best since maybe his rookie season for the Atlanta Braves. And then, of course, you know, Zach Allen seems to have found his footing as well. Merrill Kelly is now back off the IL.

And Ryan Nelson is a guy that I think we all have a lot of belief in. Like, this pitching staff is definitely, you know, not the pitching staff that we've become accustomed. to I feel like the last couple of seasons here. Yeah. And, you know, it's, it's, it's, they've always been able to provide length. Like, even surprisingly enough last year, I think they ranked, I believe somewhere in the top five in total innings by starting pitchers, which is just kind of crazy. But the results weren't there.

And yeah. And it was a, it was a lot of that. It was a lot of that big inning. But, oh, they got through six innings. Well, this, this year, it's different. This year, it's, well, they're getting through innings, but they're also keeping it to, you know, two, three, four runs at most.

And I don't know how long that's going to continue, but you take it now, you take being 12 and 8 now with such a good start. And it wasn't even like, it was a three two game. They get some, a little bit of insurance. Jonathan Loisiga goes out there and gives up a run on a couple of, a couple of, kind of unlucky base hits.

I mean, that, that pitch to Vladdy was almost perfectly placed. And he just kind of slapped that thing out there. Yeah. But it was good to have a night where you didn't necessarily have a lights out bullpen performance, but you didn't have to dig deep and you didn't have to really start to sweat about it. Because it was like, okay, well, it's the eighth inning. If he shuts this down, it's a clear path to Paul Seawald. Seawald comes out there, pounds his own, looks confident.

I mean, it was over. Like you can kind of tell with Seawald, like the first few pitches, what his outings going to be like. And if he lands like definitive strikes in those. first couple of pitches, you know it's probably going to be a pretty good outing. And if he starts, if he misses a couple, then you're like, oh, boy, here we go. But he hasn't walked a guy. I don't believe he's walked a single batter this season. Wow. I'm not 100% on that, but I don't believe he has. So yes, that's, that's what you want. And I think you do probably, it does probably get a little sketchier if Soroka doesn't go seven innings.

Yeah, I'm looking here. He does not have a walk this season. Paul Seawald has 11 strikeouts and eight in the third innings pitched with zero walks. And I guess it kind of makes sense. He is a guy that kind of pounds the zone a little bit more and, and, you know, forces a hitter to beat him. And sometimes that's what happens when, you know, you do throw those upper low 90s fastballs, you know, even with the movement that Paul Seawald gets every once in a while, a guy's going to connect on it. But, you know, he definitely has been way better than, I think, anticipated going into this year. And that's been the story of the season thus far. Like, you know, six runs is a good output.

And I think that, you know, this offense has shown at times, like signs of life. But really it's been, I feel like, the overperformance on the pitching side of things that has led to this 12 and 8 start for the Arizona Diamondbacks. And as Mighty Schumann says in here, it's like, it's a 97 win pace. It's nuts. I mean, do we expect that to continue all season long? No. But I think that, you know, building out this sort of cushion for yourself this early into the season, that's such an important thing for this franchise in particular.

I can't remember Alex, and I say this all the time. Like, I'm a, I'm a D-Bax kid. This has been my whole life that, you know, I was born in 99. my parents are huge baseball people. Like I've been raised on the Diamondbacks. And every time the Diamondbacks are good, it's because they start off the season hot and they like sustain that over the course of the year.

I can't remember one time where they've ever been like, well, we're really out of it, fellas. And they go on this like hot, you know, August tear where they just, you know, make their way into the postseason. Like it feels like it's very much always like a, it's you got to start early and you got to find yourself some cushion. And this is exactly what they've done to start. season in series against the Dodgers, the Tigers, the Braves, the Mets, the Phillies, the Orioles,

and the Blue Jays. A pretty good opponent list there. If you started the seat, if this team started the season 12 and 5, we would be having the overreactionary world series conversations already, right? I already am. That's what this team's record is when you throw out the Dodgers series. And I'm going to throw out the Dodgers series. I just am.

Sorry. I mean, you're playing against good quality opponents. Now, the Blue Jays lineup is really banged up. So, you know, it's not necessarily like, like watching, especially like watching Soroka dominate. You're like, okay, this is a pretty weakened lineup, but you still have to execute. And how many times last season and the season before that were they facing like below average lineups and just completely walking guys, leaving stuff in the middle of the plate?

And it was just like unforce like errors on defense that just were kind of boneheaded, base running mistakes, we're not really seeing that at all since that Dodgers series. That could change. They could run into some issues. But what's most, I guess, confidence inspiring right now is that they look like a team that feels comfortable in their own abilities, as opposed to kind of what happened in the last couple of seasons where it felt like they were constantly playing catch-up against themselves. Even when they were winning a lot of games, it felt like they were pulling out crazy

comebacks instead of just getting out there, seeing the ball, landing the ball for strikes, and getting the job done. And it's like as much as we're accustomed to not feel comfortable with any amount of a lead, it feels like each game has a rhythm now instead of kind of these crazy spikes. Now that's still there. They still have that drama backs potential. But the fact that they're able to win this game tonight after winning a couple of games like that previously it feels like it was just a smoother process getting there smoother process starter to bullpen closer end and without any of the extra steps along the way yeah you have to pimp a bloat fly saying here we didn't have jose fernandez at the dodgers series so it's illegitimate in his eyes and

i think that's also fair i mean the diamond backs are now what uh like 13 and two or something or no it's not quite that much, right? But somewhere around there in these Jose Fernandez starts. I think it might even be 11 and 2 right now. I'll get a check on that before we're all said and done here tonight. But yeah, Jose Fernandez has certainly changed the entire franchise. He's changed the leak, truly, I think, when you think about it. But it's a good point, Alex. Like that Dodgers series, it was a little bit concerning from my eyes, from how you watched it play out, it looked so much like 2025 Arizona Diamondback to baseball. Yes.

Where every game you had a lead, every game you blew the lead, every game you could have added on to your run cushion and made yourself feel like you had a little bit more support going into those later innings. And yet you're getting thrown out on the base paths. You're making defensive mistakes that are giving the dot, gifting the Dodgers a run here and there. And it just was such like shooting yourself in the foot baseball. whereas recently you're feeling them play a little bit more of that 2023 style of baseball

where it felt like they were doing whatever it took to win. They're doing the little things. The base running is there. You know, there was that egregious J.R. House send of Pavin Smith in one of the first games of the season. Ever since then, it seems like the base coaching has been really good.

Like there's been no issues that I can remember that, you know, were on the third base coach, which last year, like Shane Larkin, probably lost you a handful of kids. with how putrid he was at that position. So I feel like it just feels like some of the more little things are also coming to fruition as well with this team in particular to the tune of even the guys that you're pulling up off the minor league roster are showing up and contributing. And it's it's the Jose Fernandez is of course, that's the loudest one. But it's also, I feel like the Jorge Barroses of the world, a guy that, you know,

no one expected anything from. I'm saying disrespectful things in spring training. on this podcast about Jorge Barrosa, and all he does is hit extra base hits and play good defense, right? And so you're getting contribution from some of the more peripheral players on the roster. You haven't even gotten the full Catele-Marté experience. You haven't gotten close to the full Geraldo Verdomo experience. Yeah, exactly.

And you're still 12 and 8 playing this good of baseball. And I just feel like this is like about as good as you can feel 20 games into the season, realistically, as a Diamondbacks fan. Yeah, so I had an article come out for on go phynx.com a couple of a few days ago. It was a confidence meter and I was talking about how confident like we really should be with each area of the debacks. And I got to the offense and I put it as I think an eight out of ten. And that's considering the fact that the diamondbacks are pretty far down the list in most of kind of the mainstream categories like OPS or home runs and whatever. And it's the reason why I'm so confident is they're winning games by getting hits and getting RBIs at the right time.

And they're nowhere close to operating at full potential. Nowhere close to seeing the best version of Catelle Marte or Geraldo Pertomo, who both of them were smoking balls tonight. So that was encouraging to see, even though maybe the numbers are still coming along. Catell hit two balls north of 100 miles an hour that went for outs. So that's how that's going. Perdomo had a double. It's just good to see. And you're right about the guys stepping up to.

Like, how about Tim Tawa hitting a little gap or double against Joe Maniply? How about it? Yeah. He was catching Timmy was catching some hate from D-Bax Twitter earlier in the game. So it's good to see him get on base there. But it does feel like Lordus Guriel Jr. will be filling that spot in the very, very near future here. Should have grabbed this for the show tonight. but on Burns and Gambo today, Tori Lovolo said that we could see Lordus Gurriel in the lineup as soon as this weekend, meaning tomorrow or of course, Sunday's game.

Lordus Guriel could be back in a Diamondbacks uniform and manning the outfield even because that's what he's doing in Amarillo right now, not just de-hing. So it'll be good to see Lordis back. But yeah, good to see Tim Toow at least kind of get on base here and maybe what is his swan song for now. and then he could possibly have an opportunity to help this ball club later on in the season. But yeah, it'll be good to get that reinforcement of Lurtus back because this lineup just needs guys that are kind of, you know, like average hitters, I would argue. Like, you know, people, I think that that would, that makes you feel, you know, like you've upgraded in that spot. And Lourdes, you know, there are times where he's one of the best hitters in baseball for stretches. But in general, he's a pretty average hitter.

And I think that that'll be, that'll be almost a godsend for this team. Imagine if Lardes comes back and he's immediately on one of his like 10 day hot streaks. Imagine how good this movie. He goes on once a season. I think I saw from Francis Romero that he's expected to play tomorrow. I don't know if that's going to happen, but I feel like that's reasonable at this point based on what Tori said pregame and that. So we'll see.

I expected him to pretty much DH solely when he came back, but that might not be the case. I don't know. I think it sounded like Tori wants to see him in the outfield. Now, I don't know. He might, he wasn't, he's not necessarily the greatest when it comes to taking routes to the baseball in the first place. So if he's not, if he's not moving at 100%, things could get interesting out there. But it will be good to have his bat back in the lineup and even just kind of that veteran presence as well. Because it is, it is a lineup with a lot of young hitters still, despite having a couple of the, the older guys in there.

It's an interesting point, Alex, because you're right. I've noticed that about Lourdes. His routes are typically pretty, let's just call him different. They're, you know, they, he likes to make it interesting. It's the scenic route. It's the scenic route. Sometimes you don't want to go from point A to point B.

Sometimes you got to mix in a little bit of extracurriculars in between. But if he's not fully there athletically, does that mean that he doesn't fully make it there to those to those you know kind of acrobatic grabs that he ends up making in large part because his routes are not all that ideal i mean it's possible that those end in you know dropping out there in the outfield if with him not being at a hundred percent so i guess we'll monitor that but in general i mean great to have lordis back with this team and what this team needs right now especially in the way of outfield production consistent outfield production with how tim tawa and alec thomas have largely hit this season i think that getting a guy who's you know

even at his floor, probably a 240, 250 hitter is pretty good for the Diamondbacks here. So, yeah, and you're right, Alex, Francis Romero did say, Lordus Guerrille, already in Arizona and expected to make his debut tomorrow for the 2026 season. So huge, Diamondbacks expecting to get Lordus back in the lineup tomorrow. Would have been special to do it on Perpiente's night. I know. That's kind of a missed opportunity. Yeah, that does feel like a little bit of like a missed WWE.

roll out of like, you know, like just the PA guy being like, Lord is scurri, yeah, L Jr. running out of the pen or something and like no one saw it coming light show. Electric. Electric. But of course, we're happy to have Lordis back. And we're happy to be talking about an Arizona Diamondbacks W. We got to give out a king snake. We're going to do so right on the other side of our first break here on the on the pH and X

DBAX. So leave a like. Subscribe to the channel. Drink your water. Do not go anywhere. But first. I want to talk to you guys about some of our fine sponsors here, sponsor in the post game show.

And of course, you know, none better than Pure Edibles. Pure Edibles, a company founded right here in Arizona. And guys, I actually have something for you. I was just in Flagstaff this weekend. Of course, Pure Edibles is, was created at the Noble Herb dispensary, the home of Pure Edibles. And now it's housed here in Phoenix, Arizona, in the valley. But guys, when it was, you know, where it was created, Noble Herb,

I drove right past it. The Mecca. if you will. And it was like an oasis in the desert. It was shining bright. And I was like, that is the place where pure edibles were created. And of course,

I revere it in a sacrificial sense from now on. We love our friends at pure edibles. There are gummies that are not covered in sugar like they're competitors. And they offer real effects that are marked very clearly on the tins when you buy them so that you know what to expect. If you want an uplifting effect, you maybe want some help with your sleep. You want something to just kind of help balance mellow you out.

of course pure edibles has all of the options all of the flavors and of course like i said not covered in sugar uh c bn cbg CBD with marijuana derived THC pure gummies are designed to be ripped in half or bit in half to make them easily shareable easy to dial in your exact dose go find yourself some pure edibles products from one of the over 150 dispensaries across arizona now including true leave which is a big dispo so guys check out pure edibles products now at true leave. And of course, as the baseball season, you know, rounds into shape here, there's only one place where we're buying our MLB tickets. And it is on the GameTime app, GameTime.co, if you're using the website or download that free app and choose the best app in

all of ticketing. I love GameTime because it's the best interface. It's the easiest to use. And they have the all-in pricing feature. So you're not shocked by those ticket fees that you see on the back end that maybe will throw you for a loop on other ticketing sites. Game time is going to show you exactly what you're going to pay and they're going to show you straight up. One of my other favorite features is showing you exactly what your seat is going to look like from your seat before you buy it. So you know there's not some obstructed view. You know kind of, you know, how close you're going to be to the stage to the field of play. You name it, concerts, comedy venues, comedy shows or sporting events and more.

Game time is got it all. And of course, we love game time. It was Jesse Friedman always said it had the best. interface in ticket apps. And if that isn't a fact, then I don't know what it is. Take the guess we're got to buying MLV tickets with GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account and use code. PHNX for $20 off.

Your first purchase, terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code. PHNX for $20 off. Download the GameTime app today. What time is it? Game time. I had to do a little sad version of that without my guy Derek here. I guess I could have gotten Alex involved.

But yeah, let's talk a little bit about the King's, snake tonight because we do have to give one out. And I did think about giving it to this man. And I guess this is a good segue into talking about him for having a really big night tonight. Nolan Aeronado, who went out there, went two for four, scored a run, had two RBI, including a solo shot that tied this game up at one in the early going. Nolan Aronado not been a great season thus far for him. He's now hitting 224. He's got a 605 OPS. He's hit three bombs, 11 RBI. But Alex, this was one of his better games tonight. Yeah, and after he hit the home run, it was like, okay, cool, that's great.

That's good to see from him. It's good to see the power. It's good to see he's timing it up. But what I kind of said to myself at that point was, let's see him hit the ball. Let's see him. And then what did he do? He hits an opposite field, Gapper, to score an insurance run. And that to me was bigger because that says, okay, he sold out for a home run.

It worked. But then he followed up with a really nice swing to place the ball where he wants it to go. And so that tells me he's seeing the ball well. And ultimately for a veteran hitter who maybe doesn't have the best bat speed, maybe doesn't have the pop or the strength that he used to, if he's seeing the ball well and able to control his swing and control where the ball goes, that's really what you want to see from a guy like that. And that's going to really help him, I think, be maybe not a star, but productive middle of the lineup veteran. in.

Yeah, and it feels like maybe the defense hasn't been all the way there at times this season as well. He made a pretty nice backhand play tonight, throw across the diamond that looked a little bit more like the Nolan Aeronado that we've become accustomed to seeing, hopefully playing complimentary baseball, seeing, you know, things go his way on offense can kind of get him back in the bright mental headspace to be playing the defense that has made him a platinum glover because that's, I mean, I would assume that you feel similarly to me, Alex, that the defense isn't necessarily like it's not like it's cooked maybe it's taking a step back he's an older

player but i would i would venture to guess that maybe his struggles at the plate have led to a little bit of some shaky defense at times to start the year yeah absolutely i mean when you're and it's clear that he was frustrated i think at the plate and when you're frustrated with any aspect of your game in any sport the stuff that you know how to do best suddenly becomes difficult and so that is kind of what it looked like he just looked frustrated He looked like he was like, I don't know, like he knows what to do. He just couldn't do it. And so the defense was a little bit disappointing in the early part of the season.

It looked pretty good tonight. If he's able to even get somewhere near average hitting but plays that elite defense, then I understand keeping him in the lineup consistently. And I understand the value of a player like that for sure, if that's what he's capable of doing. Yeah, and he's a veteran presence as well that, you know, you don't necessarily have on the roster. And I do think that, you know, even if that's an intangible thing that you can't really put a number to, like, it's, it is valuable to creating a clubhouse culture and having guys that are kind of revered in a sense of like, you know, everyone looks up to and respects Nolan Aronado on this team. Plus, Derek and I were talking about the other day, like when the big brawl happened, we were like, if there's anybody that's going to get in a fight on this team. team. It's Nolan, right? Like there's almost nobody else from a position player standpoint that

even makes sense. I guess maybe James McCann. I could see James McCann or Nolan Aron Otto getting in a fight. But other than those two guys, I feel like you don't have a single other fighter on the roster. Not really. Yeah, the best version of this team in recent history had who? Christian Walker and Tommy Fam. Tommy Fam. I kind of jokingly was like Tommy Fam might save the Mets. That is not having. happening but um but uh yeah and i think i think that's that's the case with no one i mean he said when he did his pre uh his introductory press conference he's kind of asked about his leadership style and he was like yeah i'm kind of more of a lead by example like a guy is not like the vocal guy who's firing guys up which is kind of what was kind of the same thing as as what

walker used to do veteran elite defense you can just count on him to sort of calm everything down and but there's a little bit more of an edge a little bit more of an edge a little bit of a fire to Aronado that I think is is good for this team as long as it's not coming out in in frustration at poor results. So that's the danger of a guy like that too, is that if something can maybe turn a little inward or be a little bit like I'm frustrated with what's going on, it's like you kind of need that calming presence. And so if he's able to sort of stabilize like that, then he's a very good guy to have in the clubhouse. Now, I know I said that we were talking about who should be Kingsnake tonight. And I wouldn't say that this guy should necessarily be

king snake, but you mention a calming presence. And I feel calm when Jose Fernandez is in the lineup playing baseball, Alex, because this is a guy who just continues to perform. He's hitting 302 on the season. He gets another RBI tonight. He's only one for four. But when that RBI happened, that was a massive base knock. I mean, that was a run that I think put you up to, if I'm not mistaken, yeah, three to one in the game. And obviously, you know, the Blue Jays only score three runs on the night. So that would have, you know, kept you at minimum if no other offense happened, you know, in this ballgame and extras. And he just, he comes through in big moments.

He's already hitting, you know, in the four hole in this lineup as a rookie. And he's a guy that we didn't expect a whole lot from in terms of production on the major league roster this season. Yet it's almost like you can't even take him out of the, out of the lineup at this point, right? Like he's he's written in Sharpie next to the other big three every single day, no? And I'll be this. Oh, yeah, yeah, I'llamaro Bonds. I mean, come on.

Who extended his hit streak to 13 games, which is still a franchise record to open a season. Jose Fernandez, I really wanted him to challenge that pitch early on in the game because that would have been his first walk of the season. Yeah, you're in the wrong place, buddy. David saying, bro, nobody cares. We want,

we want to hear playoff basketball, wrap it up, fellas. We do do two streams at different times on this channel, on PHNX Sports. The PHNX Suns show will be live shortly. Do not worry, do not fret,

but you can hang out with us. The water is warm in here in the meantime on the PHNX D-BACs post game show, but we appreciate you, Davis, and all the Suns fans that are popping in, getting ready for the Sun's post game. Yeah, so anyway,

to, back to Fernandez. that swing was really impressive because that pitch was very high and part of that I guess is you know he's a big guy he's like six foot three so you know he has a little bit more of that that I guess range to his swing but it was a really night like you could tell that's where he wanted to hit the ball he said there's a big gap up the middle I like I think I know what's coming I'm going to put a good swing on it and it was right place right time call you like you said calming presence he just never looks scared at the plate he never looks rattled it's never too big of a moment for him it's never a what oh i got i have to come through here i have to do something good here it's just get up there look for the pitch put a good swing on it it's it's it's it's really impressive out of a 22 year old yeah i i i felt safe around jose fernandez i really like it's funny because like i'm joking but i'm kind of not he's he genuinely does have like a calming presence of like you like you said like it doesn't seem

like the moment's too big for him. So why should, why should I be worried when he's up at the plate in these in these clutch spots? And, you know, I don't, I don't mean to like be exaggeratory. You know, obviously I say that and I'm Damon Dogg. So that everything I do is exaggeration. But like in this circumstance, I'm not trying to like put crazy expectations on the kid, but it does feel like it's like a little bit of a special plate approach where when you're just watching him in there and at this age and this stage, in this stage of his career. You know, he, he just belongs, man.

And it's not normal. It's not like, you know, one of these guys that we call up and he has a purple patch of form. And Emmanuel Rivera, he's hitting the ball weak, but he keeps finding the hole, damn it. And this isn't this great? Like, Jose Fernandez is hitting the shit out of the baseball. He's fast. He's big.

He plays great defense at a bunch of different positions. Like, he's just a hell of a baseball player. And I, you know, you can't, you can't say enough about, you know, what it means to have these type of players kind of filling out the middle and late portions of your lineup because Derek and I talk to all offseason long about they just need guys to step up around Corbin Carroll, Catelle Marte and Geraldo Perdomo. And this team will be a okay. I thought that the pitching rotation was actually going to be pretty solid this season. Like I was like, you just can't get the worst luck possible three years in a row. It just, it wouldn't make any sense to me, right? Like, it's, it is possible.

Positive regression. Yeah, yeah. You expected some positive regression in that sense. The lineup, you just needed a couple guys to step up, and it felt like with Pavin Smith going down and, and, you know, Carlos Santana being as bad as he was. And Nolan Aronado giving you nothing early. It's like everything's going wrong with this lineup. Alec Thomas isn't hitting like he was in spring training. And then Jorge Barrosa came up and started just ripping doubles down down the line.

and then Jose Fernandez was, you know, hit two home runs in his debut and wins you the game. Then Old Tomorrow Vargas, I'm sorry, Eldamorrow Bonds is literally a Hall of Famer. Like I'm starting the Oldamaro Vargas All-Star campaign early because I think it would be the most unlikely all-star campaign in the history of like modern Major League Baseball. And I'm so damn here for it. But it's those guys that are rounding out your roster that are putting you in this position where you've now built up some cushion for yourself. And so, you know, I think that, you know, that's like not to like pat ourselves on the back, but, you know, you did need those type of guys to step up and you've gotten that kind of production from some of the more middle pieces on your roster.

Yeah. And there is a reason why Jose Fernandez was called up when he had played one game at the AAA level as opposed to a Tommy Troy or an AJ Vukovic or anyone at all on that roster. They saw the approach. They've known about him. But yeah, like you said, the weaker hitters or the weaker expected hitters are doing their job. And they're not giving you zeros. They're not whiffing at the worst pitches you've ever seen.

They are controlling the strike zone, not walking a whole lot. Mike Hazen kind of talked about that. I think it was from Nick Picoro had an article where he was talking about Hayeson saying the team needs to probably take some more walks. But you're getting good results and hitting at the right time. And you're not scoring 20 runs in one game and two runs the next game. Yeah, yeah, no doubt about it. I did, oh yeah, PCO she puts up here. The Padres have finally lost a baseball game.

I repeat the Padres have finally. finally lost a baseball game, folks. Unbelievable. That's crazy. The Diamondbacks, it's been a great little run here, great stretch of games in 12 and 5 since that Dodgers series, as Alex mentioned here on the show, but it's all felt a little bit kind of for nothing,

and that's not exactly the truth, but it's because the Padres have just been one step ahead of you, that entire stretch of playing good baseball and sit at 13 and 7, but they finally lose a game here. and the Diamondbacks are just one game back from the Padres. And the N hell West is back. It's well and truly back. You have the Los Angeles Dodgers at 15 and 4.

The best start to a season that a champion has ever had in the history of, you know, the modern game. Then you have the Padres 13 and 7 and D-Backs 12 and 8 all in this division. Yeah, it's going to be a slug fest yet again. But the Rockies are scary. The Rockies? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, they're better.

They're certainly better than last year. So you have to take them a lot more seriously. The Giants suck and are like one of the most unwatchable teams in the sport. But after seeing that, I expect them to go even more 500 than ever before. No doubt about it. Of course, one of the guys that has helped Arizona, helped the Diamondbacks start off this 12 and 8 start here is one Michael Soroka. and of course we talked a little bit about some other guys that made late pushes for the King Snake Award, but it was none other than Soroka that deserves it tonight.

Seven innings pitch, two earn runs, five Ks, zero walks, and of course five hits allowed as well. But yeah, Michael Soroka, a very deserved Kingsnake Award. And I believe maybe he's won it in every single one of his starts. Maybe not that second start because of the four earned runs, but he did buckle down and have himself a pretty quality performance in my opinion but yeah uh you know four starts now for michael sroka four wins as an arizona diamond back a special start to uh his career here in the desert yeah he just he looks again he looks calm he looks like he knows what he's doing at all times he looks comfortable with the approach and that is just something that i feel like we haven't seen a lot

i feel like we see that we used to see the pitchers laboring they kind of were just like nibbling at certain areas of the zone and he's he's going out there he's attacking the zone he's throwing strikes he's getting some chase too and what i liked about to tonight's start is that he started it off with being basically like a ground ball pitcher like he was just getting these weak ground ball out he was cruising i think through the first first either five or six first like six innings he was at like 62 pitches 61 something like that and that wasn't what we had seen we We had seen him laboring to get through these like strikeout heavy outings. And today, Soroka shows up and he says, all right, hit the ball and my defense is going to pick me up.

And they did. Yeah. You're right. It did feel like he was getting a lot of weak contact, especially early in the game. A lot of ground balls. And that slurve just continues to be nasty, Alex. Not in the way of the strikeout numbers that you got tonight. But I think a lot of those, you know, weak soft hit, hit balls.

in the infield were definitely by way of that Michael Soroka slurve. And yeah, I mean, it wasn't against the best lineup in the world, as you said. You know, this, this Blue Jay's team is down pretty bad right now, especially with Dalton Varsho leaving the lineup. That's too. Yeah, because it's like they already are pretty banged up. And it's not necessarily the lineup that went to the World Series last year. But then you lose a guy who, you know, is your hitting, what is that,

two hole for you today? and, you know, one of the more stable, consistent players in your lineup and a real kind of iron man out there as well. Like, he's a guy that I think that you can really, really rely upon to be in your lineup every given day. So to lose Dalton Varsho is pretty tough there. But I do think that it lines up for the Diamondbacks well to take the final couple games here of this series, right? Because the Blue Jays are reeling. The Blue Jays are not that great of a team. And there's certainly, you know, there's some games for the take in here, you know, on a homestand

if you're the Diamondbacks. Yeah, yeah, exactly. I mean, and again, you'll take seven innings, two runs against pretty much any lineup in baseball. If you can't score three runs and win that game, then you probably are, you know, having some other issues. But yeah, and the bullpen is pretty rested. Paul C-Wild through 10 pitches. So, yeah, yeah, look at that.

Look at that. That's pretty nice. You got Zach Gowan versus the corpse of Max Scherzer tomorrow on the mound. And then, of course, Ryan Nelson going against the Blue Jays ace and Kevin Gousman in the game three of the series. So that will probably be the most difficult of the games to win in that game three there. But tomorrow, I mean, on paper, you should take advantage of that pitching matchup. I mean, Zach Gowan has looked pretty good to start the season here, you know, maybe not prime. Zach Gowan where he's going out there and shutting down people and screaming as he runs off the

mountain Riggly. But I do think that you know, you've seen good Zach Gowan to start this season. And then you have Max Scherzer on the other hand to, you know, just is not the same picture that he once was. And it's sad to see. But, you know, as you saw with Justin Verlander, got to take advantage when you play those guys. Yeah, he's not looking amazing right now. So yeah, you got to get out there. and jump on them early. I think that's kind of the key. And that's, that's kind of what they did to Verlander, too, is like, you really got to kind of set the tone for that. And if you can really dig into their bullpen in game two, that sets you up really nicely. Because even if something goes horribly wrong in game two, you can come back and have a pretty good fighting chance of, of getting

something done in game three with arguably your ace on the mound with Ryan Nelson. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, certainly been the ace of the team last season and a half. And maybe it hasn't been the dream start to 2026 for Nelly, but I think that there's still, you know, as I said off the top of the show, a lot of belief in what that guy does in the organization. Like, when we were talking about who gets dropped in this rotation when Merrill comes back,

I very strongly was out there in the defense of Ryan Nelson. He doesn't deserve to lose his spot this early into the season when it hasn't even looked poor. It's just like really there's, you know, I think this first start against the Dodgers wasn't great, but it also wasn't awful. Other than that, like there was a game

where he got hit with some unearned runs, but he's been pretty good. And largely, he's been really good for this team for a pretty long sample size now. So, yeah, even though you're going up against Gousman, who's a good pitcher, I think Ryan Nelson absolutely could go out there and shut down a Blue Jays lineup that just frankly isn't very good and isn't close to the other lineups that you've faced this season. The other lineups you've played this season are like some of the best lineups in all of baseball, the Braves, the Dodgers, you know, I know the Mets didn't have one. Soto, but they still have a bunch of really good baseball players up and down that that starting

nine. So yeah, I think that, you know, this take advantage of this Blue Jays team as they're reeling a little bit. And, you know, this, you could be feeling fantastic if you could somehow, you know, and, you know, I'll knock on wood here, but finish off the final two games of this series and be like six games over 500 this early on. It would be unbelievable. Let's talk a little bit more about this one on the other side of our second break here on the, on the pH and XDbacks podcast, PHNXD Back's post game show. Drop a like on this video, please. We appreciate everybody for watching.

Love you guys. Show some support. We got ourselves a new sponsor alert. Wee-woo. New sponsor alert. Kim Caballero Real Estate. Kim is trying to help Valley residents find their dream home in 2026. After being in the business of over 25 years helping Arizona families with both not only buying,

but also selling. If you're looking to get proper value for your home, hit up Kim Caballero and her team. Plenty amazing real estate agents here in the state of Arizona with a network of investors, builders, and developers. She'll give you insider insight on property potential helping you see opportunities that others may miss. When you work with Kim, your interests are the top priority and you'll never get passed off to another agent. That's why so many have loved working with Kim Caballero over the last 25 years. She's a proven strategist and helps both buyers and sellers secure the best possible terms.

She will guide you every step of the way. Kim and her husband have lived here in Arizona for over 20 years, and she understands what truly matters when choosing a home. So let Kim put her local expertise to work for you. Call Kim Caballero today at 480-489-5012. That's 480-489-5012. Promise you guys, you will not regret hitting up the Kim Caballero. real estate team.

Let's also talk a little bit about a debit, a card, a checking account that will give back to you the My Style checking account over at Mountain America Credit Union. Guys, it is just a prime opportunity to help get in on the built-in benefits that happen with this MyStyle checking account where you can enjoy restaurant deals. Mobile phone protection, telehealth access, identity protection, loan rate discounts, offers on travel and events and so much more. Make MyStyle your lifestyle at Mountain America Credit Union visit MACU.com slash my style to

apply insured by NCUA membership required. Based on eligibility, some benefits require no cost registration activation, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. We are back here on the PHNX D-BACs, post-game show, Diamondbacks, of course, getting the job done here, 6 to 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays and the opener of this homestand after an East Coast road trip.

And Alex, I do have some, you know, the upcoming schedule on the horizon here for the Diamondbacks. You got two games left here against the Blue Jays, finish this one out. Then you got three games against the Chicago White Sox, a team that is, you know, maybe a little bit better than last year's Chicago White Sox team, but still, still not very good. And then you have a little Mexico City stint against the San Diego. Diego Padres who are, of course, on fire, but that series could be very impactful in the NL West race and the wildcard race, you know, just kind of, you know, giving up or making a little bit of ground against a team that you figured to be in that battle with all season long. So, you know, getting closer to that Padres series in Mexico City, Alex, how important is it to finish strong here against the Blue Jays and the White Sox two teams that, you know, I think you look at on paper and you say the Diamondbacks are just playing better baseball than right now?

I think this is going to be a different way of evaluating where this team is at because, you know, we've seen them take care of some really good teams. We've seen them do the thing with the comebacks and the good pitching and all that against really quality opponents. They need to be able to take care of business against the teams that are definitely on paper worse than them. And that White Sox series, even the Blue Jays, I mean, ahead of the season, the Blue Jays series looked like a tough one. So I'm not going to count that one quite as much. But the White Sox series would have been one that they're rolling and then they run into some just randomly bad performances

against an inferior team and play down to their competition. And so I think that, you know, it's not everything. It's not the end of the world if you, you know, lose two out of three this early in the season. But I think taking care of business and looking really sturdy against the White Sox will be important going into the, that Mexico City series, which I think that'll be a really fun two-game series against the Padres. With two teams in the position, they are kind of a special location.

That'll be cool. Yeah. But they got to take care of business. Yeah, absolutely. Against the teams that are a little bit weaker on your schedule. I feel like the Diamondbacks over the last couple of seasons here, you know, maybe since I've started paying a little bit closer attention as I started getting paid to cover the team. it feels like they do well when they play up to their competition really well.

I feel like they perform admirably against the Dodgers of the world. And, you know, when they have these series against some of the top competition. But I feel like they do kind of let the foot off the gas pedal a little bit against more of the lower teams. And that's what kills you. I mean, that's what the best teams do is they take advantage of their worst opponents. And then they play kind of like 500 baseball against the more playoff teams on their schedule. So I think that's going to be a big thing for the Diamondbacks this year and a big test early on is that you haven't really gotten those teams that you think on paper are maybe just kind of inferior to you yet. And, you know, I think taking advantage of those teams is going to be really important for the Diamondbacks this season.

Just kind of building up enough wins to be a postseason team here. Yeah. And it'll be kind of honestly more so even than winning the games. It'll be like, how does it look? Like, what does it look like? Are they buttoned up? Are they playing good defense? Are they, you know, again, doing the little things right?

It doesn't have to be a 15 to nothing blowout, but are they executing their pitches and taking good swings and controlling the controllables and playing Diamondbacks baseball? If it looks like they're doing that, then you can have against an inferior opponent. Then that's a pretty good sign because that means you're not stooping to the level of teams that kill themselves by making mistakes. and and just egregious stuff that you have to avoid.

Yeah, no doubt about it. In some other news and notes, Ildemarovar Vargas extends his franchise history streak. I didn't say that properly. His historic start to the season where he now has 13 straight games where he has reached base safely with a hit. And, yeah, Ildemarovar Vargis, just unbelievable. His average is down to 380 though now, Alex.

So is the panic button on the table? Is there cause for concern around 1-il-Demarro Vargas? He's no longer in the Tony Gwynne, Ted Williams, you know, caliber of hitter. He's merely just a regular Hall of Famer these days. Get him out of here. That's unacceptable. I mean, nah, but seriously, like he and you know what I love about Vargas is just watch him play the game. He is so happy to be there.

all the time. Yeah. And I think that's such a good energy to have. I mean, even when he like strikes out or something, he just looks happy to be playing the game of baseball, which is kind of invaluable, especially for a guy who, I mean, this is what, like his 50th stint in the organization? I mean, 50 first. Yeah.

Oh, oh, my bad. But it's just even you just, he's a guy you want to root for. And it's so cool when a guy that you want to root for is succeeding beyond even what you could have imagined. Even if it starts to tail off, you will still take, even if he doesn't hit for the rest of the season, you're like, for the first 20 games of the season, Ildemarovar Vargas carried this team to how many wins. And it's like that there's value on the table even if it completely falls off a cliff. It like that, those wins don't go away. And so they're in the bank. You're right about the way that he plays the game. For a guy that, you know, and I honestly,

the other day, and maybe this speaks to my ignorance a little bit, but I looked up his age because I was like, I'm unsure. Like I honestly, you could tell me he's anywhere between like 26 and like 35 and I would have been like, yeah, probably. He's 34. He's more on the back end of that of that age kind of, you know, constraint that I put on him. But he plays like he's like getting his first MLB action right now. He like, that's the way that he's playing right now. And I think it's, it's great to see because he has, had other stints up here, but he's never really had extended opportunity. And he's really taking this and ran with it. And this is the kind of stuff that I think that you love about baseball in particular,

where it's just like there are guys that come out of absolute nowhere. This never happens in basketball because you know, you can see a basketball player. Oh yeah, the six foot eight guy whose head is above the rim when he jumps is probably going to be pretty good, right? Like it's not rocket science. oh, that guy has the best jump shot I've ever seen. He hits every single shot in practice, you know, and then in a game he hits 40%.

Like, Ildemar Vargas, you had no idea what you were getting with him. And you were probably guessing that he was going to give you 210, 220 average, like nothing crazy, not a whole lot of pop. It's not even just like he's getting lucky, Alex. He's hitting the crap out of the baseball, man. Like, go look at his baseball savant page. Yeah. There's red all over the place.

He is like a legitimate major league baseball player right now. And it's great to see. And hopefully it's something that he can kind of extend and sustain over the course of the season. Obviously, he's not going to hit 380. But if he can keep his baseball savant looking somewhat similar to this where, you know, the, the, the, the XBA is 372. I mean, that's a hundredth percentile. It's best in the sport is XBA right now. Like it's, it's unreal what he's doing.

If he can just stay in the red here, I think that it, you know, know, he'll provide a lot of valuable A-Bs for this team. And honestly, like, as sad as it is, we're talking about Tim Tawa being sent down. Like, I think Elamara Vargas, Jose Fernandez, being as versatile as they are, make Tim Tawa a little bit more replaceable, too, where those guys are playing every position along the entire infield. And I know we have guys that can play multiple positions in the outfield. You know, Alec Thomas was playing some corner in spring. Jorge Barrosa plays all three spots. Corby and Carroll can play anywhere you put him out there.

So like I feel very comfortable with with that versatility that we have and I think it allows yourself like the Vargas and Jose Fernandez side of things almost makes it easier that decision to to move Tim Tawa down probably when when Lourdes is back. That's that that that's a pretty likely option. The other option is is Luke and Baker, but yeah. And Baker is out of options. So that might make it a little differently, although that might make it line up a little differently. the thing is i don't know if you need a pure first baseman like on the roster at this point because if you're if you're talking about that like you like tim tawa can play first base so can ildamara vargas so can jose fernandez right so i'm not sure that there's really a role for luke

and baker um on this team right now but at the same time you know tim tawa's bat has been struggling so much that maybe it's not a bad idea even for his success to send him down to the PCL and let him rake in Reno for a little bit. So we'll see what happens. It's almost certainly one of those guys. I feel like I'd probably lean towards Tim Tawa getting optioned, but we'll see. Yeah, that's a great point, Alex. And this is why we bring ball-in-lowers on the podcast so that, you know,

morons like me that miss stuff like that. Lucan Baker absolutely could be the other guy there that, you know, would make way for a Lordus Gurriel Jr. but, you know, it's also, I don't know what the update is on a guy like Tyler Locklear. Maybe I could tap into, you know, some sources here. But like, you know, would you maybe wait for Luke and Baker and, you know, release him or put him on waivers once Tyler Locklear is back and give Locklear that opportunity at the major league level again? Or are you going to let him rehab, you know, a little bit before you feel comfortable bringing him back up?

Um, yeah, it's, it's, you know, you, you do have some, some, uh, things you can do here, some flexibility. Yeah, I don't know if Locklear is, is really close to be honest. Uh, his rehab is, is wild because he's rehabbing two very different injuries, the elbow and shoulder. Okay. So, um, he's, I, yeah, that's a bit of, I don't have an exact update on him, but I don't think we're looking at him coming back in like a week or two or, or, you know, the beginning of, next month or anything like that. We'll probably be waiting a little bit still on him.

So, and again, I'm not sure that there's enough role for Luke and Baker in that time because everyone, basically the entire infield except for, you know, Nolan Aronado and Cate could probably, and I guess for all the Pardomero, you have three guys that can play first base that are hitting the ball. And then you have a pure first baseman who maybe isn't that much of a defender. I don't know. We'll see. Well, I don't think, I don't think his role is going to necessitate him being here for

much longer, but you never know. I just, I just looked up an article. I found an article from mid-February that said that Tori Lavolo expects Tyler Locklear to be back and ready sometime around mid-May. So I think we're about a month away from a potential Tyler Locklear return, which would be before Pave and Smith returns. So it does give him a little bit of opportunity. he does get called up to the major league roster by that time to maybe like say like hey i belong up

here because i think if he doesn't do that then he would probably be optioned for payvon smith once paven was eligible to be reinstated but it's kind of make a break time for a guy like tyler lock i'm also laughing over here alex because and i'm sure you'll find this funny like i just ran into one of those like i'll i'll just throw them under the bus i don't care this is a sporting news article and it's from an author, I won't say their name, but I can't even click on the profile, and I've never heard of them, and it's a D-Backs article,

and it's titled, this is from February 17th, by the way, this is two months ago on the dot. Diamondbacks, Tyler Locklear, could be in store for a monster season at the plate. It was, and I'm reading it, and I'm scrolling through, and it's one of those just like,

it was created for, someone to type in Tyler Locklear on their computer, and that was going to be the thing that came up because it's the one article that's been made about Tyler Locklear recently. And it basically just says he was really good at VCU, leading them to two Atlantic 10 championships in college baseball. And he was great in the Mariners minor league system. But this Bleacher report guy says that he has high hopes for him. So he's in store for a monster season.

There it is. Are you pumped? That's, yeah. I, oh, geez. I, you know, I mean, okay. There's a very high chance that it's AI generated. Yes, Yoshi. Because like this author, I can't even click on his name, and I've never heard of him before.

Yeah. Yeah. I don't think we've gotten to see, like, anywhere close to what Tyler Locklear is capable of doing. But there was a lot of his, there was a pretty big hole in his swing. So maybe he makes some adjustments, but coming off of injury, those. a unique injury situation. I don't know how much you can count on him to turn it around anytime immediately. He is still young, but he's not 22.

He's 24. He's kind of been in and out of that. He's kind of the right-handed Pavin Smith from a few years ago, where he would absolutely destroy AAA pitching and then kind of look lost at times at the plate in the majors. I'm not out on him yet, but I don't know if, in store for a massive season is what I would have, I would have written, to be honest.

No, I don't think that that's what the Diamondbacks writers that are truly locked in on the team are saying. But yeah, I mean, it was not a good year for Tyler Locklear last year. I lost a lot of hope, I'll be honest, but I hope he proves me wrong if he's given an opportunity to kind of, you know, you know, change some things and turn it around here in Arizona because there was a lot of belief in, you know, put in him. Like, you trade away Christian Walker and you give him a ton of opportunity at the plate

and it just didn't look pretty. So, you know, I do think that, like you said, as a 24-year-old, like his career's not over, but you need to start seeing some signs of life now before it's too late because then it'll be for another organization down the road because you can't believe in a guy who's, you know, 25, 26 forever and just keep giving them ample opportunity. eventually there has to be something there on his side. We got one last break here on the PHNX DBAX post game show, and then we'll get you on out of here on a Friday night.

Dback's W, 6-3 over the Blue Jays. Don't go anywhere, leave a like on this video. Let's talk about the thing that enhances my party life to the next level. And of course, I'll be indulging in some right after this one's over because I'm pumped up about a D-Bax W. I'm pumped up about a 12-and-8 start to the season through 20 games. And that's why I'm doing it with my friends over at Casamigos. Of course, it is the official drink, the margaritas, the ready-to-go margaritas,

or the official drink of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which we can't wait for. But it's also the best drink for the baseball season. If you're an Arizona Diamondbacks fan, get in on these Casamigos, marg's, whether you want to get in on the spicy or the regular. Of course, they have options for both new, ready to enjoy Casamigos, margaritas with the best simple ingredients, Blanco tequila, lime juice, and natural flavors. They're sure to rival any of your favorite hangout spots.

Uncork, pour over ice, and garnish with a lime, just 110 calories per serving, real juice. And like I said, in those two flavors, classic lime and spicy. Casamigos is my favorite tequila. Kevin Thomas and I were just chugging Casamigos on the AZ Wildcats podcast all throughout the March Madness season and for good reason. and it was just the best tequila around and just elevates your time to another level. Casamigos, the drink of the World Cup.

Whether you're at your favorite spot or stocking up for home, make it a Casamigo. Shout out Casamigo. Shout out George Clooney, who is a friend of the program. I'm just going to continue to say that over and over and over again until it's true.

Also, let's talk a little bit about the best bet and get offer going right now on the sports books. And it's, of course, the MLB Bet10 and get $200 offer with our friends over at Bet365. Head on over to Bet365. head on over to Bet365 and download that free app or go to Bet365.com and use promo code PHNX365 when you sign up to apply for this offer, not apply for this offer, because they're going to approve it, but get this offer, obtain this offer.

It's the perfect time to prepare for summer in the desert thanks to their bet 10 and get $200 bonus bets deal. All new users have to do is sign up and make their first $10 bet and bet 365 will throw you $200 in bonus bets, win or lose. it's a lot easier than getting Chase Field pool tickets. Download the app and use code PHNX365 for 365, where winning is everything. Gambling problem call 1-800 gambler 21 plus only must be physically located in a ZT

terms and conditions apply in app only. So download that app, use promo code PHNX365 and get in on that bet 10, get $200 offer. It's one of the best offers in all of sports books right now. It's fantastic. And I love the Bet365 app. I really do. They have all kinds of great early payouts.

that if your team goes up a certain amount of runs, they give you just the money line, they cash it out to you. It's the perfect thing for an Arizona Diamondbacks fan that likes to gamble because you would have saved so much money last season with their MLB early payout offer, Alex. Like they had like a, I think it was up four or up five,

if I'm not mistaken. And like there was like legitimately like a handful of games where the Diamondbacks were up five that you would have gotten cashed out on, but instead you would have lost if you were not using Bet365. which, you know, hopefully we don't have to endure that this season. But you can still bet on the Diamondbacks with our friends over at Bet365. And of course, this show is presented by Bet365, something I definitely should have said off the top of the show.

And it's also presented by our friends over at Game Time. So, yeah, go download the GameTime app. Go download the Bet365 app. Get in on both of these apps, which I truly, when I say this, I mean it. Like these are the two best interfaces going on. their respective departments here. Like, I hate the other ticket apps that I use on my phone that are not game time. And game time pools all those apps together and like makes it like a marketplace,

but also just does it in an interface that doesn't suck. And then Bet365, like there are so many sports books that just stink. And Bet365 is still offering you all types of great promos, has a great interface. It's just fantastic. So we love both those companies for presenting this podcast. And of course, we love our guy Alex Dagestino of DBAX on SI. and PHNX Cardinals for hopping on today and helping out with the postgame show

as Derek Montia. And Joyce is a little bit of reggae rise-up. I'm sure he's outside. I'm sure he's feeling the wind in his hair and just love in life, you know? But what do you think Derek's doing right now, Alex? I think love and life is probably what he's doing. I think you're right.

You know, maybe there's some pure edibles in there. I don't know. We'll get you on out of here with this on a Friday night and let everybody get to it. at 1041 AZ time. Speaking of at Bet365, did we lose the Bet365 player of the game? Oh, that is the Bet365 player of the game

that they do, of course, for the D-BACs broadcast, I'm assuming, because we all know that we do the Kingsnake here on the PHNXDVax post-game show. But yeah, I haven't seen that so far this season. It is always funny, like when our sponsors and the sponsors that do the broadcasts are the exact same. I always laugh at that. But yeah, yeah, I haven't seen that so far this year as well.

but Alex, great game tonight. D-backs get the W. Zach Gowan versus Max Scherzer and then Ryan Nelson versus Kevin Gousman. What do you expect the rest of this series here, D-backs, Blue Jays? I think you are going to probably see a lot of Zach Gowan pitching to contact like he did against the Tigers. And like I said, if they continue to play sharp and play their game, this is a, a prime opportunity to just keep riding the wave and keep climbing that mountain. Yeah, yeah, it really is.

And speaking of climbing the mountain, I completely forgot. We won a game tonight, so. It's just fantastic. It's just fantastic. And why don't I get Alex back in here? I almost kicked him off the show. But yeah, we love a little bit of DOMA going up Mount 500. And, of course, hopefully we're back, actually not on a Monday, right?

Because we're taking this Monday off in accordance with, the Mexico City series and doing some coverage on that weekend. So we will not be live back for a mailbag Monday to send Domo up that mountain. But maybe on a Tuesday, if the Diamondbacks handle business, we will. Right here on the PH&XD back show, of course, shout out my guy, Alex Dagestino for hopping on tonight. Alex, you're at is Alex Dagg A-Z? Is that right? Yes, sir.

At Alex Dagg A-Z. That's a good memory. That's a guy who lives on Twitter a little bit too much right up here. of course had that just in the in the memory bank but follow me at damon dog that's da wg and follow us at p h and x underscore dbacks on all social media including instagram where we're picking it up a little bit for the phnx dbacks instagram want to get in on that and get on it early buy your stake now because it's only going to uh it's only going to skyrocket uh as as we move forward here into this season and follow my guy derrick to at cap underscore caveman with a k uh we are all

captain's caveman that's my version that's my version of the damon's dogs that we're going to do here on the show appreciate everybody for watching this one shout out alex for hopping on on a friday night with us and uh yeah uh we love you guys so much uh for for making this uh making making making this show happen and uh of course just you know helping this thing run in the chat we love the the comments from the chat and just uh you know just adding to the conversation always brings a little bit of extra so We love you guys. Thank you so much for hopping in here today on the PHNXD Back's Post-Game show. We'll be back live on a Tuesday for a post-game show.

Derek and Damon can't wait for it. And of course, in the meantime, remember kids baseball is fun. But it's so much more fun when Michael Soroka is out there just shoving.