High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Final Out: Phillies Fall Apart In Game 3; On The Brink Of Elimination

Episode Date: October 9, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz react to the Phillies 7-2 loss to the Mets in Game 3 of the NLDS and look ahead to tomorrow's must-win Game 4. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does possible sound like for your business? It's having to spend to power your scale with no preset spending limit. Redefine possible with Business Platinum. That's the powerful backing of American Express. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amex.ca slash business platinum. What's better than watching your team win? Winning money while you do it. I'm Jim Costa and I cash the ticket.

Mike Valetti and I give you the edge to make every game playable. College football, NFL, we're breaking it all down game by game. It is Final Out, a high hopes edition of Final Out. We're going to be giving you a little bit of a preview of what's going to happen on the next game. We're going to be giving you a preview of what's going to happen on the next game. We're going to be giving you a preview of what's going to happen on the next game. We're going to be giving you a preview of what's going to happen on the next game. sidelines, cash the ticket with us. Follow Cash the Ticket in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. It is Final Out, a high hopes edition of Final Out sponsored by Regency Furniture, affordable, never looked so good and the uh, I wish the Phillies had looked so good tonight.

Obviously a incredible, incredibly disappointing performance from the Phillies. The bats come out cold, stay cold, put up a couple meaningless runs at the end, but just a waxing, honestly. And Jack Fritz was there in the building coming to us from Citi Field. And Jack, it's hard to look at this series and not have it feel a lot like 2022 people made the the comparisons coming in saying oh the Braves are like the Phillies coming in 2022. They're the hot team they're feeling it and So far the series has played out that way, you know The the Phillies find a way to win one at home and the Mets wax them in game three You know look

I know the baseball's weird and we just saw the Phillies lose the Wheeler game and then come back and win the next one, but it's hard to look at these two teams right now and really how they've played the last few months and not say the Mets are the better baseball team right now. Well, especially, what are they, 30 games over 500 and the Phillies are now- Yeah, that's the point.

No, I know, I know. Yeah, that's the point. No, I know. I know. Yeah, and tonight was brutal. I mean, tonight was absolutely brutal. It was awful. Tonight was awful. It was freaking awful. Like, it was from, it just, they were just cooked.

Like, they felt cooked tonight. Well, and we said yesterday on the podcast that this had to be a Schwerber-Harper kind of two game series up here. And they came up small. Listen, Schwerber smokedHarper kind of two-game series up here, and they came up small. Listen, Schwerber smoked the ball, but the big story is Bryce. I mean, Bryce had two big moments to will this team back

into the game, and they didn't come through. I mean, in the first inning, they hit a couple of balls off Maniah hard. I felt pretty good about it, and I was like, OK, listen, he's a good pitcher. And they had opportunities. And then they just kind of flailed the game away as it went on.

They kind of folded. So I mean, an incredibly disappointing night. Noah wasn't terrible. I mean, he was mostly fine. It was just that the offense continues to be the offense that we dreaded. I mean, that's the offense that people set in their guts cannot show up and they absolutely did.

So, you know, the second they started not getting the big hit and striking out and you felt the momentum turning, it was game over. Let's get to the game wrap up sponsored by Crevitz providing CNC machine clean washing, cleaning services, waste coolant removal and scrap metal systems designed for efficiency and lights out manufacturing. Crevets.online or crevets.com.

And the wrap up was what you just said, Fred. So bats just didn't show up. Like Nola wasn't good enough. You know, you needed in that spot, Nola to go, you know, six or seven, two runs, but he almost got six and two runs. And obviously the bullpen letting the runs but you gotta blame him leaving The game bases loaded no outs that last walk to a long so a disaster and

but but ultimately at the end of the day and we'll get to the bullpen too because it's been a Mess the bullpen has already given up more runs this postseason than all of last season I don't know if you saw that three innings this postseason of last season. I don't know if you saw that. Three innings this postseason, 13 last season. They've already given up more runs, but it was the bats. And I think nothing more, you know, example like a bigger example of that tonight than in the sixth inning. Manaya is cruising along.

Schwaber and Turner find ways to work at a bats, especially Schwaber after O2, they get the walks, they get on base, and then Harper and Cassiano swing at six straight pitches and then the next inning it's a seven pitch inning Alec Boehm our producer for the high hopes pod Tucker Bagley put out this stat which is absolutely just mind-boggling Alec Boehm since getting benched in game two so tonight saw eight pitches in six plate appearances and with his pitch hits appearance in game two, like, are you freaking kidding me, dude? Are you kidding me? And then he's sulking on the bench again after

he gets thrown out at second base. This team like, look, again, I know it's baseball and and they could absolutely win tomorrow. But if we're just looking at a the way the teams are playing, but also the vibes the vibes man we talked so much about this team and they're oh they love each other and how great they play with each other and all that and that team has looked a hell of a lot more like the Mets this series by miles than it has the Phillies. No totally I mean it's not even close I mean right now again this is why heading into tonight they had to be the aggressor. They had to get out to an early lead.

They had to keep the Mets down. They had to do little things better. The Phillies and the Mets, if you just roll the ball out and play a straight nine in the game, the Mets are probably the better team right now. Not probably, they're definitely. Sure. They are absolutely the better team right now. They probably, they're definitely. They are absolutely the better team right now. The Phillies had to turn momentum.

They had to turn momentum tonight. And there was just too many opportunities where they did not do that. So like tomorrow, I know this is going to annoy you. And I'm sorry in advance. They're going to win tomorrow. I'm just telling you they're going to win tomorrow. They were never going to win tonight.

I felt that heading into the game. There was too much confidence in Nola, just like in game one. There's too much confidence in Wheeler, just like in game six last year. There was too much confidence in the Phils. They're going to win tomorrow. It's just, how does it, how do they respond in game five? I don't think they're going to win tomorrow.

Completely honest. I hope they do and I get that they can and baseball's weird. Sure. But they've hit for three innings. They've hit for three innings this whole series like what makes you think that tomorrow against Jose freaking Cantana who always just feels against this freaking team like it but it is what it is right Like do you expect them to all of a sudden come out tomorrow and and start hot and look like a different team? I think that and again, I get it. They can I'm not saying oh, they're definitely losing tomorrow But I just I can't go into tomorrow confident with the way this team has played Especially to the point made to start this show the Mets have been a better team for a long time right now We just didn't want to admit it coming in because the Phillies had a better record the Phillies started hot and have been a better team for a long time right now. We just didn't want to admit it coming in, because the Phillies had a better record.

The Phillies started hot and have been nothing other than a couple weeks in September when they had to put it together to win the division. They haven't been anything close to the team we thought they were. I don't know. I feel like we've been deluding ourselves. I don't know why tomorrow all of a sudden they're going to look like the Phillies we wanted them to. We've only seen that for a few innings.

And even then the bullpen couldn't hold it. The only reason they beat the Mets is because the Mets couldn't bat again. I honestly believe that. Yeah, the bullpen is borderline shocking to me. I mean, it is shocking. And he can't buy one. Every decision he makes, it's backfired. He can't buy a right decision right now.

I guess my thing is, it's either they come out tomorrow and they roll over and just absolutely die. I think tomorrow is either a blowout or they win. I know that's kind of simplistic, but either they're totally cooked, they're totally cooked and they're done and they don't even show up tomorrow. Or we see You know a lot like the team that we saw in game two back against the wall that comes out fighting like I they're a weird Team man, they really are and if they can find a way to squeak out a win in this series

I think they're gonna be okay the mess just have that freaking they have that this is what I was worried about heading into the series of of the team that's gonna get in and go on a roll and get hot and ride that kind of momentum. They could not get the big out tonight. Kirkland couldn't get the big out. Jose Avarado could not get the big out. Nola couldn't get the big out. You want to go-

Estevez couldn't get the big out. Ruiz couldn't get the big out. They could not buy the big out tonight. I know people are down and I totally get it. You are speaking for a lot more people than I am. I totally understand that. But I was not that confident heading into the game tonight. When they were losing, I wasn't that surprised. I feel good about tomorrow. It would be so Philly's to win tomorrow in a game that no one thinks they're gonna win and You got wheels in game five. They gotta squeak out the series They gotta squeak out tomorrow tomorrow's gonna be a grinded out kind of affair and they have not played this good baseball in a long time

James and I'm totally with you, but I just feel like they're gonna win tomorrow I feel like they're going to win tomorrow. I feel like they're going to grind out a game. Tonight was brutal, offense brutal, bone brutal. We'll talk about whether or not they should even play them tomorrow. But I just, it's in my gut. I don't know what you want me to tell you. It's in my gut that they win tomorrow. Well, look, I love that, and you are normally pretty pessimistic in these types of spots. Thank you.

I do think that is a good sign that you're optimistic. To your point, look, I think what concerns me is when you were saying that, and I get what your reasoning is, it doesn't sound crazy to me to say they're either going to roll over or they're going to win. I get your point, but I also don't think that that is the only two outcomes. I think there is an outcome where they come out and the bats are better and they play aggressive, but they just can't stop the Mets. Like it just feels like they're, especially with like, and look, I love Ranger and I do

think that, you know, over the next, you know, whatever it is till, till tomorrow's game, you know, 20 something hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, whatever, I will try to focus as much as I can on the slow heartbeat and the history of what we've seen Ranger in these spots. But I mean, like, how many innings can you get from him even if he is good? And then we're talking about going to this bullpen again. I just, I was going to say I'm hopeful for tomorrow, but I obviously don't sound hopeful. Like, I think they can win tomorrow. I just, I was gonna say I'm hopeful for tomorrow, but I obviously don't sound hopeful. Like, I think they can win tomorrow. I just, I struggle to believe it. Yeah. I mean, listen, they're gonna have to show some fortitude. There's no doubt about it. But, he didn't pitch many of his main guys tonight. I mean, he stayed away from a lot of guys.

And I think he pretty much conceded when it was 4-0 and said, OK, we're on to tomorrow. And he's trying to give them as good of a chance as they can to win a baseball game tomorrow. I know it's annoying. I know it's waving the white flag. But when it's 4-0 in the seventh, you can't burn your big relievers in a game where you know that you're

going to need them tomorrow against the Mets. So listen, people are going to want blood for this team because the offense was just dreadful tonight and they've been dreadful for a long time and I think that people convinced themselves that it'd be fine once they got in the position. Well, breaking news, James, it has not been fine at all and it has not been going very well. I just, there's still a part of me that thinks they win tomorrow. Tonight, brutal.

But I can't throw in the towel on the season just yet. No, and look, I'm not saying I'm throwing in the towel. You know, I, by the time the game starts tomorrow, I'll definitely, I won't go into it, you know, like it's a foregone conclusion. But again, I just, I gotta keep it real. I feel like, you know, the more I watch this series, the less I feel confident in this Phillies team.

And especially like we talked so much after that win, oh, and it was, it was a thrilling, all time, great playoff game type of win. And we're like, oh, maybe this will get him going and we talked so much about the past the baton thing You know, that's a mantra and all we saw none of that tonight. I mean, we saw none of that We saw none of the approach we saw none of the forcing manaya to throw pitches get him out of the ballgame like no Especially from the leaders again that sixth inning the top of the six feels like the especially from the leaders, again, that sixth inning, the top of the sixth, feels like the ball game was over in that spot.

That was when they fully lost tonight, was those Harper and Castellanos at bats, and I get it, if you're a lefty going up against Manaya, I get it, man, like, it's tough, he's a very good pitcher, but you can't just go up and flail three, just don't swing three times, like, now they didn't swing three times. They took a three-pitch strike down the middle.

And it wasn't down the middle. That's the point. So all right, we got a lot to get into. Final point, I'm sorry. I know. No problem. No problem. No problem.

Final point on that. And tonight reminded me a little bit of game two down in Atlanta, where Bryce kind of embarrassed. I mean, Bryce knows twice tonight he could have came through and got his team right back into the ball game. I think you get a different Bryce tomorrow. I do.

I think you get a different Bryce. And if Bryce shows up and does what Bryce did the last time after he was quote unquote embarrassed on a big stage, we could be in for a special game tomorrow. I'm sorry, buddy. I know I'm not speaking for a lot of fans, and I totally understand that. I think they win tomorrow.

And I think Bryce is going to be pissed off off of what happened tonight, and he should be. But if there's one guy I'm going to bet on to step up and help carry a ball club, it's number three. So tonight was bad, 100%. Tonight's on Bryce. If I'm putting on one guy, I'm not blaming the bullpen. I'm not blaming Nola.

I'm blaming Bryce. But when we blame Bryce and we put it on Bryce, he usually steps up the next night. Yeah. No, you're right about that. My issue is, can Bryce Harper pitch tomorrow? Because I think that's going to be the biggest issue. Well, hold on. If he throws, he could probably hit 98 with a little bit of sink.

That's my concern. Yeah, Tommy John. Everyone throws harder coming back from Tommy John. That seems to be going well. He's had no issues with that recovery and any sort of pain and lingering things. All right, 2155929494. We're going to get to your calls.

I see some of our favorite callers on the line. We're going to take your calls coming back. Plus, continue to react to just I know that Jack is optimistic about tomorrow but he agrees with me a pathetic pathetic performance by the Phillies tonight just really in a big spot really came up small especially their big stars. We're gonna react to it plus again like Jack said we will look ahead to that game tomorrow. Big questions the boom question the Wheeler question which it seems like Jack's already answered from his perspective we'll get to that too and a whole lot more it's final out a special

edition a high hopes edition again get on the line now 215-592-9494 we're going to be taking your calls next don't go anywhere. For a limited time switch to Shopify point of sale and you could save up to 20% and improve Don't go anywhere. Efficient ad eligibility requirements apply see Shopify.com slash POS 20 for details Hey fantasy football owners the road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now I'm Matt Harmon from reception perception join me and James co as we take a deep dive into the position That's gonna make or break your fantasy roster. Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the

insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. It's a high hopes edition of Final Out sponsored by Regency Furniture Affordable. Never looks so good. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer, Fritzy. We'll get to the biggest takeaway from the game in just a minute.

Get on the line now, 215-592-9494. We're going to be coming to the calls for reaction in just a minute. But Jack, what was it like being in the belly of the beast on TV tonight? It did, it wasn't quite Citizens Bank Park level, but credit where due, it felt like I didn't see a ton of too many Phillies fans comparatively in the stands. I definitely saw some, and the Mets fans were loud. They brought it. Not really.

I only had one decibel meter checkup on my watch, which I usually get about four during Philly's playoff games. I was out in right field right next to the bullpen, or right center field, thought sure we were going to hit a home run to start the game, but it's okay. We bounced right back. Did we? No, not at all, actually. That's a fair point.

It's not that loud here. It's just not. It's not even being a homer or being biased. I've just experienced both exactly in right field. Can't hear yourself at CBP in here. It's good, it's fine. It's better than what they've experienced in the past, but I just didn't feel as intimidated,

I guess, as I thought. I thought I was walking into a raucous, mean, nasty, on top of you, kind of, Metz crowd, and it really wasn't that. The 7-line is one of the most embarrassing fan groups. I've ever witnessed from afar They do this corny thing with two strikes when I like a guy like fouls went off and they cheer back like you still have two so Again, it's it's a cute fan base, but I there was no fear walking around city field tonight Well, that's good. That's good to hear now. We were all class

I mean me spike and I if you put if you could put all class on it. You didn't have too much to chirp about, so that probably helped as well. I'm not a chirper. I mean, there was a little chirp early. But once it was 0-0, I was down one. It was pretty quick out of the chirp zone. All right.

Let's get to the biggest takeaway from the game brought to you by Morgan and Morgan, America's largest injury law firm. Then we're coming to the phones. Just a biggest takeaway. What's your biggest takeaway, buddy? What do you got? The offense didn't show up, Jack. No way. That's my takeaway. And how about this? I'll give you two. The bullpen, not as good as we hoped they'd be.

That's the bullpen stuff. Again, we mentioned it yesterday. They were going to swing the series. It was simple simple as that. They were going to swing the series. If they were back to being the bullpen that we've seen for a majority of the season, they're probably going to be fine. Well, they haven't been that. And again, we said this after game one, and I'll reiterate tonight, tomorrow is a franchise altering kind of game. If they suck again offensively, again, I think they're gonna win. But there's a very real possibility they go out offense feeble and they lose like

seven nothing and it's we're all down in the dumps. And guess who has to drive home from freaking stupid city field all the way back to WestJet. It's gonna take me eight hours to get home. I'll walk, whatever. But yeah you won't be running. That's the problem. I will not even be close to running., you won't be running that that's that would not Not even be close to running guess who won't be running around Queens for nine miles this guy but it's just Tomorrow is yeah. Yeah, you like that one Yeah Tomorrow's another

franchise altering kind of game where if they if they suck again offensively and again game five will get to but I mean you have to have real changes because again you're going down the same way in back to back years. Bullpen is fickle. You know bullpen is one year. Look regular season to playoffs it can be fickle. Hey I don't know if you've heard this before James. This team has built a slug.

Oh yeah. The only slug i see is the uh... the little fake insect or whatever they are you know uh... you know at tomorrow again is that our slugs insects i think so yeah i like that and what's now slugs same same breed copy their aliens it's a short i mean there's a lot of them you know most things it's good i like that thank you plans. Sure, I mean they're closer than most things. It's good. I like this. Thank you.

On that note, 215-592-94-94, get on the line now. We're going to try and get to as much reaction as we can, plus Tom Kelly coming up after us will take your calls as well. Let's start out with Cole in Mulligan Township. Cole, what up pal? Hey man, I guess I just don't know what to say about this game Well, the offense suck the bullpen suck. No, it was okay. I mean what I mean, come on There's a lot to say on this game. Yeah, I mean they just didn't show up at all the bullpen The bullpen was never really that great though. They haven't they had those guys, but they just had a bunch of B guys in my opinion They never really had open was great this year. like we we can't be do revisionist history here

I mean that Matt strong at a 1 870 ra Jeff Hoffman at a 2 1 7 e ra I mean they a Ryan Kirk ring was fantastic the vast majority this season like they had a good bullpen They're just not showing up Cole They need the closer. They never had the closer Yeah, they never had the closer and they never got the outfield help at the deadline. Well, I mean, Austin Hayes is atrocious. Thanks for the call, buddy. Yeah, dude, I never want to see Austin Hayes in a Phillies

uniform again. We hated the move when they made it. We couldn't believe that that was the only move for an outfielder or a bat that they made at the deadline. That it was A, the only move made at the deadline that it was A the only move and B that it was him like I just and and he showed it tonight I mean three horrendous at bats leading with the just check swing strikeout on on you know his last at bat just I mean he stinks out loud stinks he is horrible if first pitch out is first bat.

Like, just stinks. If Weston Wilson's not starting in left field, Oh, it has to be. Full of franchise. I mean, full of franchise. It's that bad. How sad are we that we're at that point? I know.

Oh, god. Weston Wilson's going to save the season, you know? Oh, you guys. It's not that he's great. It's not that, and this is not about, this is not about Austin A's. This is not about Austin A's or Weston Wilson. This is about the deadline hundred percent but it's again not that this guy's great, but

Tommy's fam is someone who has been on about a thousand winning teams in his career and for some reason the Phillies think that he's too good for them He's been right there for back-to-back years. He wants the Diamondbacks last year. He's been right there for back to back years. He went to the Diamondbacks last year, he's in the Royals now, he got a big hit last night, he can play left field fine, he can steal a base, he's a professional hitter. It's like, why do they think they're above Tommy Fam? You're telling me Tommy, you'd rather have Austin Hayes on this team over Tommy Fam? It just, it makes no sense to me. Austin Hayes can't play. I mean, he cannot play. He's not outst play. He looks like he stinks

like he did everything about him just. I mean warning track power. If they don't start Weston Wilson tomorrow. Again I want Austin Hayes off the playoff roster if they could do that I know they can. Faking injury I don't even need anyone else added on. I'll play with 25 guys rather than I'm on snays. Shout out to our producer, Tucker Bagley. They're mollusks, apparently, the slug and the snail. So thank you for that. A mollusk? A mollusk.

That's not a word. That's not even a, does that count as an animal? I think so, I think so. All right, let's get to the player of the game, sponsored by the South Jersey gas conserve Helping customers in the community save energy and money visit South Jersey gas dot com slash conserve I I mean hate to do it, but I think Shawn and I are very clearly the player of the game tonight Yeah, you know sure. I mean he's what it is

He was he was great. He was great and the Phillies made him better than he was with their bats and the lack of making him throw pitches. But, you know, credit were due. He was really, really good tonight. Yeah, I mean, he's had a really good year. I really felt it even this morning driving up here. I didn't feel like the Phillies had the pitching advantage tonight. I thought Menai was going to be tough on this team. And he really, really was. Now, they had him on the... Again, the sixth inning we'll talk about for a long time, because especially if they lose the series, because they had him on the ropes. I mean, they had him right there,

and then they just went down in their feeble kind of way. I mean, no one is better... Again, at two straight walks, oh, you've been trying to get to this guy all day, and the whole plan coming in is make him throw freaking pitches, and then six straight swings, like from your two quote unquote best hitters,

like Harper really is, like I guess Turner should be considered there. Like, just, Jack, it's infuriating. Let's get another call. Well, the silver lining is if they come up small. At least it probably means Kevin Long's out of here. I mean, it's been... I feel so much better now, Jack. Thank you for that silver lining. I just... I can't take it anymore.

I don't think it's the time for silver linings. We don't need it. I'm not a silver linings guy. What's the opposite of silver lining? Like, you know... No idea. Well, whatever that is, that's what I've got right now. Let's go to Washington, D.C. and talk to Steve. Steve, how you you doing pal? No, I mean Fritz you read my mind. I mean I

Think you're right. They win tomorrow and they you know, they probably win this year. Oh my god James shut your mic off. Let Steve go. Shut up. The bigger issue is what is the strategy when they go up to bat? I mean, does the organization just allow guys to do what they want when they want? Is nobody telling Alan Foam, alright we've got we got a new picture? You're struggling Let the guy throw some pictures. No go ahead and swing. Yeah, whatever you want. So it's either Kevin Long It's like not having a strategy. It's it's Thompson allowing guys to be themselves What is the issue? So well, you know, it's a thing

What's it? Is that you see you see a difference between the Mets team and the Mets team. Hey Steve great call man we appreciate it. We appreciate the phone calls Steve. What's the thing to me is that you see a Mets team with not I mean on paper again this is all on paper so I think the Mets are playing better baseball this that's not what I'm saying but on paper the Phillies offense should be better than the Mets but what do they do James? What do they do? They grind out at bats, they put the bat on the baseball, they get base hits. The Phillies for, if you want, I know they made the World Series, but what sunk them in the World Series is what has sunk them the last two postseason and could be what sinks them tomorrow night is the same nonsense over and over and over again.

It's an over trust of guys who have been there before and that is the Kevin Long way. It is back of the baseball card. Why would you doubt these guys? They're professionals. It's the same nonsense over and over and over again. Again, they're going to win tomorrow. But if they don't, it's going to be because of an offense that is very high-paid, that continues, continues to underperform in big spots, and it just never looks like they are ready for the moment. They had to get a Bryce Harper home run in game two to awaken them and make them believe again that they were okay offense meanwhile, we've seen the same Crap for for two and a half months two and a half months I mean you can say the two and a half months before that where they were the best record in baseball and they did the best Record in baseball they were doing everything right was the biggest outlier

Offensively always that we've seen in the last three seasons. Which is why I just, it's hard for me to believe that they're gonna win tomorrow. They're gonna just bring it tomorrow. We'll see. So let's get to the play of the game sponsored by Mike's Amazing, the official. Mayone Mustard of the Phillies, I don't know, man. What was the play of the game today? Jesse Winker just showing us up

It was only to nothing it was it was the hit off off of Kirk ring Kirk ring Kirk ran a chance there it was it was still a tight ball game and He listen to his credit. He came in bases loaded no outs got two outs got two outs Yeah, and look if Sosa fields that ball cleanly. It might be just a double play, you know, they they could not get the big out all night long. Couldn't do it. And offense, brutal, sure. Kirkland couldn't get the big out there.

Alvarado couldn't get the big out. Jose Ruiz couldn't get the big out. And you saw what happened. The Mets just continue all series long. Two strike hitting, two out hitting, relentless Jose Iglesias, whatever magic is going on with him, I guess it's the stupid OMG, but like when Kirkering allowed that, outside of the Bryce moment in the sixth, that was their cupped moment. Yeah, no, you're right, that was definitely where it

felt like the ball game was over, and it over It was over prior to that. We didn't know but Alright two one five five nine two 94 94 we're gonna come back. We're gonna preview tomorrow Alec Boehm should he play tomorrow? I think that's one of the biggest questions we'll have going into game again If you miss the stat that that way I said before our own producer Tucker Bagley put this out during the game unbelievable stats since getting benched to start game two. So in his pinch hit appearances in game two and then tonight, in six played appearances, he has seen eight pitches. I believe he's seen 19 on the entire series.

It's an absolute embarrassment, especially after getting benched. And then obviously hit the ball one ball hard gets thrown out second just a Disastrous night from him not like seeing that happen right in front of me James. No, I'll bet you didn't buddy I don't look like he handled it well sulking in the dugout again So was he really is that it looked like it on TV like, you know It wasn't he wasn't throwing a tantrum like it wasn't but it just looked and look I'll put it cuz I could take himself out of the game mentally with that. I mean, yeah, that's that's happened for tomorrow but it certainly looked like it with his a baths didn't it

man, I It's it's gonna be of if tomorrow and and hope god forbid game five, you know, hopefully this extends But if not very interesting Alec Baum offseason big time I mean look the offseason period if they lose this series especially if they don't know you told me you would take a first round loss for one so does so are you even that upset to one by five hundred it before the ninety four get one so that i don't know what the

uh... we got another segment here in a preview of the game are the bomb question should he play and and All right, we got another segment together. We're going to preview the game tomorrow, the BOM question. Should he play? And should they consider using Zach Wheeler tomorrow? That's something that I'm sure we'll be talking about a lot. Oh, it sounds like a lead. Sounds like a lead. Sounds like a lead.

We're going to get to that as well coming up next. It's a high hopes, low hopes edition of Final Out. We're coming right back. It's a high hopes edition of Final Out, sponsored by Regency Furniture,. Never looks so good. Jack Fritz, James Seltzer with you. Jack, let's get to the pitch count. Slag injury report sponsored by the Plumbers Union Local 690 protecting the health of the nation. Visit plumbers690.org and I'm going to do something a little different with this today. I'm not going to mention anything that happened tonight.

I am going to give you a pitch count Jack Okay, that pitch count is a hundred and eleven. That's how many pitches Zach Wheeler threw on Saturday Tomorrow is Wednesday. That is three days rest. He is come out We saw him in relief coming in picks three great innings obviously in game seven on short rest We've seen you know, Zach is you know been a warrior in the postseason. I Know that Rob Thompson has already said ranger Suarez is starting but he did say that prior to the game today He also said everyone is available tomorrow except Nola Where you at on this Zach Wheeler thing? Do you think there is legitimacy to starting him or?

Using I think if you're gonna use him, you start him as much as you can, but you never know in a moment if you... Look, there's no game five if you don't win game four. It's that simple. You know, as much as you want... Oh, safe wheeler for five! There could be no five. So where do you come down on this? I have him in the bullpen. I have him in the bullpen. I don't go to him unless it's breaking case of emergency. And if it gets to two nothing or they go down by two, I put him in there and try to extend and give my team

the best chance to win. I don't start him because again, I know people are down right now, but I also want him available in game 5 to start. So again, I have him sitting out there. I have him there ready to go and break glass in the case of emergency. If they go down by two, where you need to, let's say Ranger can only go three innings, one and a half times through or whatever. And you've got to get them out there. And you need someone to give you three through six to keep you in the ball game. Then I go to Wheeler.

Wheeler has to be a real option. I mean, in a perfect world, they come out and, I mean, God forbid, they could score early. Yeah, score, yeah, come on. They can score early and just let the bullpen kind of cook to where you don't have to use them. You go back to him in game five. But Wheeler, no doubt about it, has

to be available out of the bullpen tomorrow. Again, would not start him. I'm OK starting Ranger. I don't feel super great about it, but the way that I Know he'd be pitched in the inner squad and just talk to some people here. He's ready to let it loose like he's ready to Leave the back issue I guess behind him and maybe even whatever dead arm But Wheeler they cannot let this get to more than two runs away because if that game tonight

If he didn't get to 6-0, this ballpark did get tight. They did. You could feel it. When May Tom was in, no one believed. They didn't use Diaz tonight. They used a good amount of their guys to make sure they got the win tonight. It cannot get to more than two runs away from them.

Tomorrow is a big night for the offense, but if it's two nothing in the third, fourth, you have to go to Wheeler. Keep that as close as possible to give this offense a chance to come back and steal a game late, even if it costs you him in game five. Because like you said, and what's obvious to everyone out there, there's no game five without a win in game four.

I feel confident in Chris Sanchez if they have to go back to him in game five. But it tomorrow is all hands on deck, whatever it takes. So it's a big spot. It feels a lot like game seven last year, but he he's he's got to be available. I would not start him. I'd still start Ranger. But again, he's right there. He's gotta be available. I would not start him. I'd still start Ranger, but again, he's right there. Yeah, I wasn't sure exactly how I felt till I really thought about it while you were talking and prior to asking the question during the break and really, really thought about it. And I would start Zach Wheeler tomorrow. I know it's risky, but you have to get to five. You have to get to five, and I feel much much more confident as strange as it is with Chris Sanchez on full rest

essentially at home At Citizens Bank Park for a game five then I do with Ranger in a game four You know as much as I trust Ranger in the playoffs, you know Holistically speaking like he hasn't looked good for three months like he hasn't looked close to good for three months So I and I feel a lot more comfortable if I can get five or six from Wheeler going Ranger in relief if I have to then I am starting the game with Ranger and just you know. I guess my only thing with Ranger and relief is that.

Look I don't even want to I don't need you. Like I would use them I would honestly save them for game five as a backer to Sanchez if I need it in case Sanchez can't go long. Like I'm starting Zach Wheeler tomorrow. I don't think they will but I would start Zach Wheeler tomorrow. That's where I'm at. All right, I want to get to the bone thing. Let's get one more call and do the bone thing. Tom Kelly's coming up next. He's gonna take a ton of calls. He's gonna be nice and positive. I mean TK if I know my Tom Kelly. Oh, he'll be, yeah, the whole thing. It'll be great. All right, we've talked to him after every game. Let's keep it rolling. Let's talk to our guy Chuck in Mount Airy Chuck Yo, what's up guys? How you doing pal? Not doing well. No, not good. I'm done. You know, I can't I can't do this Is this team a disappointed and they remind me to sixes. They started reminding the sixes

I don't believe nothing they do anymore and they get to the playoffs and act like they can't hit Aaron no, I knew it. I knew it can't hit Aaron know I knew it I knew it I knew it I knew it in my soul he was just give up runs and I didn't give us a chance to win the ball game. I know I mean all I heard was Noel's this and Noel's that. He wasn't good enough but like he's not the one that like I'm with you Chuck he wasn't good enough but like what's he gonna do throw a shutout like they don't score any freaking runs. 172 million I would like a shutout I would like better but like how deflating is it in your own the hill and you keep going out there every inning and you see your eyes flailing and nothing and giving you absolutely nothing like yes he should have been

better no question but no is not the lead I think the lead is absolutely the offense he's not the lead I'm not saying he's the lead but I mean you know you've given up bombs dude it wasn't good it wasn lead but I mean, you know, you just giving up bombs do Home is it wasn't good. It wasn't like more man. Like, you know, I mean you got it. I don't know is It just I'm just I'm disappointed in a man. I mean you should be you got super disappointed The changes are gonna have to be made, you know, this thing is over. I mean, I'm sorry I'm not signingam, you know, it's on the outside of Willard and Harper Everybody else is expendable. I mean Castellanos. I don't really believe I don't want to keep him here If I could trade him for a good piece, I would I mean, I'm not thinking about that right now

But the offseason is upon us man. We only have to tomorrow and this thing is over So they better come out and give it to all tomorrow. I would start Wills tomorrow. I really would. I agree with you, Selz. I will start Wills tomorrow, take my chances, which Sanchez and Adam Ranger back him up in the bullpen on game five at home. But I will start Wills tomorrow.

He's rested enough. I'll bring him up tomorrow. We got to get to game five. Exactly. Chuck, great call, man. Keep keep them coming we really appreciate them. If they do lose tomorrow and they don't pitch Wheeler yeah it's gonna be a big big big offseason discussion. Big time big time. Wouldn't be the first postseason Zach Wheeler discussion pulling him too early the other time. Alright Fritzy

last thing before we get out of here the boom of it all do you. Do you play them tomorrow? Look, I know they're going up against the lefty in Quintana. I obviously would think he would be in the lineup generally speaking, but again, you know, eight pitches and six plate appearances and you're getting thrown out at second and the sulking in the headspace. Where are you at on bohm tomorrow? I don't play him tomorrow. I know Sosa hasn't been exactly great, but I starting start at second I'm starting so sweet at third base stop I trust you at bats more so so energy guy Alec bone feels like he's lost I mean he feels like he is not into this series and you know

whether he's still dealing with the injury, I have no idea, but he's not giving them enough. And tomorrow is do or die. I mean, it's a do or die start. You have Ranger in the mat, it's a ground ball pitcher. You can opt for defense and talk yourself into it that way. But I just, I can't go back to him. He has not responded how they, would think wanted him to respond in

in a situation that that they're dealing with. So I wouldn't go back to him. I would start Edmundo at third. I would start Weston Wilson in left field. I would start obviously Rojas in center field and all hands on deck. All hands on deck. Cantana's given them a lot of issues over the last couple of years. We all remember 2022, game one where he shelved for seven innings. But it's on the offense tomorrow. I mean, Ranger, we'll see. Rob Thompson's got to mix and match.

It's funny. I trust him in a mix and match kind of situation where he's got to get super, super creative. We've seen him game one down in Atlanta last two years. We've seen him in game one of the World Series have these kind of moves. The problem with what Thompson's doing right now is that every move he makes out of the bullpen

is essentially backfired. So I don't know who he can turn to and say, you're going to get me an out right here, which is a huge issue. But for Boamer, I just, I can't do it. I can't do it. And say you're gonna go get me an out right here, which is a huge issue, but for bomber I just I can't do it. I can't do it I'm gonna go with the motor tomorrow and and see if we can't eat gotta win. Yeah, I feel the same way I can't play bone tomorrow a hundred percent agree. All right

We're getting out of here. Thank you to everyone who called in couldn't do the show without you thinking of Can I have one final final thought good. I promise it will not take long. No worries. Don't hate the idea of winning tomorrow. Carry the momentum into game five. I don't think the Mets want to come back to Philadelphia for game five. And hopefully they can avoid Wheeler tomorrow. Hopefully avoid Wheeler tomorrow.

Ranger has a throwback Ranger performance. Offense, set the tone early early get out to a good lead and the bullpen With a lead again huge if but with a lead, maybe they have a little bit more wind at their sails You squeak out a win tomorrow And I don't think this Mets team wants to come back to Philadelphia in game five and it deal with that crowd With Zach Wheeler on the mound and all of a sudden there's some wind at the Philly sails Not to go Kevin Millar in 04, but don't let the Phils win tomorrow. All right. I hope you're right, buddy I I I definitely think if they come back for five with the wheel on the hill will all feel a lot better about it

But I need to see him win tomorrow. That's where I'm at because I certainly don't expect it. All right Thank you to everyone who called. Hey look who'd have thunk this this whole thing flips around now Jack Fritz the the the super positive one didn't even Until I did not want to get you know, I didn't want to get in trouble with Mets fans We didn't even move from the seat tonight. Very calm. Very calm. Maybe move tomorrow. Tomorrow is a totally different animal. I mean tomorrow is for me life or death. So I don't plan on seeing Spike or Ike if things aren't going well after the third inning. Well good you shouldn't. Alright we're getting out of here. Thank you to Fran Rojas for producing the show. Great job. And we will be back tomorrow. Obviously

check out all the shows tomorrow. Morning show starting in midday afternoon. They'll be up from the ballpark again getting you set for another afternoon baseball game or early evening. And then postgame, Fritz and I will be here with you hopefully reacting to what Fritz expects to have and not what I expect to have. It's gonna be a win. It's gonna be a win. We'll be here tomorrow. When your head hits the pillow tonight. Remember this fills are winning tomorrow I hope so buddy fingers crossed. All right Tom Kelly coming up next if you're on the line now stay on the line He's gonna be taking calls obviously reacting to a brutal brutal Phillies lost tonight

Fritz not be back tomorrow until then he's Fritz. I'm Selton