High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Phillies Sweep Rays, What Should Jack Name His Next Child?

Episode Date: September 12, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz are pumped up after the Phillies' sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays and discuss the path to the postseason as well as strong baby names for Jack's next son. 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

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Terms and conditions apply. Visit amex.ca slash business platinum. This is the High Hopes podcast. High Hopes. On the Odyssey app and sports radio 94 WIP. The crowd was singing high hope. Smiling through a broken nose. Oh, high hope a little less alone.

Yo, it is another edition of the IOs podcast presented by Miller Lite, official sponsor of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller Time, Philadelphia celebrate responsibly. We celebrate a little last night. How about a sweep? We swept the Rays, you know, biggest series win over the Rays ever. I think probably per usual per usual, the gun down a guy, the plate. How about Aramis Garcia?

Who knew? Now we had a dribble up the third base line. 12 year. Oh, I see. That's good.amis Garcia. Who knew? Now we had dribbled up their baseline 12 year. Oh, I see. That's good. Good work. Thank you. Nice. Thank you.

Nice. James, I would like to declare something very important at the beginning of this podcast basement throwing it, making a play. That's what I said. Okay. Play the plate. Yeah, I got to learn the game. Play it.

Learn the game one time. Thank you. I know you just did some stupid little by the second basement part. All right. I said, I played the plate. What could have been even better little podcast. The second basement part. All right. I said, play the plate. Well, it could have been even better if you said a second basement. Oh my God. More special.

Listen, enough of the jokes. Jesus. Right. You're very serious. I just, I'm trying to love bring a little levity light in the mood. You're so guys, so intense, you know, this guy's out here making little jokes. We're trying to win a pennant. We're trying to win a pen and we're trying to win a pen. It's there's no jokes anymore.

This podcast has changed. No laughs, no laughs, no smiles. Hold on. I got rainin in. Thank you. Rain it in. No smiles is not my. We got we're going to get more analytics. All the analytics we're trying to give the best. Got to get what they want.

But I want to declare something at the beginning of this podcast. Very, very important. Coming in hot. Thank you. I'm really happy. I'm just I'm really happy. No laughs. Yeah, no laughing.

I'm happy. You're happy. I'm like, it was it was it was tough sledding, you know, and I'm sure you saw me around the office. It's like did his puppy pass. Yeah, you didn't have your usual, you know, effervescent kind of vibe to you. The usual upbeat. Yes. Bubbly is what I think about when I was even talking to Richard today. No, John Richard, a conversation chopping it up. Just just talking talking football. Yeah. Well, he's always starting in the fight me. I think is interesting.

I know the one so so inside baseball one time, I believe it's during the pandemic when we got food brought in for us and all that, like they which very nice. You were coming into work. I think one time we had sandwiches ordered. And somehow I think you ate the sandwich was supposed to be John saying house and I, I'm pretty sure he's never forgiven you. Again, like I so I think he's never forgiven you for it. Like it's still like if there's food around, I'd be like, Jack, Jack, take it. Yeah, it's it's stuck with him. That was old Jack. I don't know if you're I don't know if you're aware. It's currently Slim Jack season. Oh, it's been phenomenal.

You are looking pretty slim. Look good. No big deal to me. Running all those miles. But but so I I never played in the NFL. Want that out there? But like when Richie came in the studio asking if I ate a sandwich, I felt what linebackers, I felt what they felt. He came in so hot. I was terrified.

I honestly, I was terrified before you walked in. Thank you. Well, the, the, the backstory also is is that they were ordering generic food. They were it wasn't specific order. No, it wasn't. She claimed a sandwich that might not have actually been for him. Yes. Although his name might have been on. But nevertheless, nevertheless, no, just I'm just I'm just so happy. Like, they're on on a good they've you know, they're winning more than they're not You know, they're on a good streak here They finally are beating up teams that that are pretty good But the Rays aren't world beaters and not like the last couple years raised

Solid around 500 or whatever and you know, they're gonna be able to pitch I mean like if the Rays are dudes who throw a hundred just bring them out and and by the way I mean imagine I mean the way the Rays play would drive people here and say, oh my God, dude, it's it's it's get guys who throw hard and figure it out and get guys who hit home runs and walk and figure it out. Well, and like especially Shane Baez yesterday, like 78 pitches, he's retired like a million in a row and they're like, yeah, you're out. Like we got to get out of this ballgame.

Furious. Yeah. And Kevin Cash would be like enemy number one on a hundred. He might be the best manager in the sport. They would have to move the team. Like it's as simple as that. They would like they could win two worlds there and feel like they can't win play in this way.

That's that's what we would be dealing with. I need small ball. Yes. Yes. But I've talked about this on on the final lap last two nights. But like Fransky has had this stat the other night and it's like it Watching the Rays play like it's like, of course, they're awful. So the Rays so runners in scoring position stats have not been kept and since 1969 or they they just started and they began an anxiety right and

The Rays the fifth worst In since this race seen this year in, in since this racing this year. Wow. In baseball history. Oh my God. You want to talk about the, it's all we would hear about every single day. It'd be like, I mean, this, this small, little guy by the home run. So they are, and it made sense.

I mean, how many times they had runners on third with like no out. It was unbelievable. Yeah. I mean, Wheeler felt like having four times last night. It was remarkable. So like with no outs, I know, wait, they're two lead off trip or with the one lead off. Couple lead off doubles, doubles score. Yep. Appreciate it. So appreciate, appreciate it. So like, I just, I'm just, they've obviously studied the ship.

They're playing like the right way heading into October. They're getting contributions from a bunch of different people. They're, I think if this ends in the way that we hope it ends, I think we look back at these injuries as a positive. Like it got a lot of these guys off their feet for a little bit. They should be the most freshly.

Well, assuming we get everyone back and good to go. Yeah. Now it seems like we're moving in the right direction. It does. Like, BOMB's gonna play tomorrow. Rehab does. Like BOMB's going to play tomorrow. Jay's, uh, uh, uh, rehab, sir. BOMB's going to be back tomorrow. I mean, they say he's going to play.

Wow. I didn't realize he's going to be back tomorrow. So real Muto is going to play. Wait, no, I lied. I definitely lied. I meant Schwabers me back tomorrow. I was saying, I'm like, why isn't BOMB selling the IL? Yeah.

Schwabers, they, Schwabers was supposed to be in the line yesterday, scratched late, but it should be good for tomorrow. And real Muto is going to start game one. So which is huge, which is big. So BOMB, sorry, isab or they were supposed to be in the lab yesterday, scratched late, but it should be good for tomorrow. And real Muto is going to start game one. So which is huge, which is thanks a bomb. Sorry. It's still on the show. I was surprised by. Yes.

Yes. So it's still huge to get that back. I mean, the short thing in the moment, it's like, come on, man. Like, no, no more. No, no more. Don't even take a leap. Just stand on first base. Where are you going?

Seriously? Where are you going? Why are you thrown over there? You know, he's not going anywhere. That is that is a part of the game. He almost got picked off. He did like I actually before the replay, I thought he was out. Yeah. So I just like they're there. We talked about the resiliency like we want to see the resiliency with the way they're playing with the injuries. They're not letting the world on fire. He scored nine the other night, which they won three, two, like that. That's how you got to win baseball.

Yeah. It was two, one, one runs and they put them nine runs. Right. So it's, it's, it's, it's how you have to win some games. And I just, they, they have completely righted the ship and the way they talk and the camaraderie that I think we're seeing, like, they should have earned your trust back a little bit ago. But I think that the way that they especially have played the last week and a half two weeks I think the trust should be

totally regained. It's exactly what you talked about in the in the midst of really towards the end of it as it was going on for longer and longer that stretch you were you were like my only worry is I just don't know if they can get back to what they were I don't know if they can flip that switching it back and I'm with you it seems like obviously there are question question marks can Harper at the ball, the ballpark when it matters and things like that. But for the most part, it looks like the team we saw started the season, they want they've won a lot of games recently. I mean, what is two in September? Yeah. And they're what like something like, you know, 17 of 22 or so, I don't know, 16 or something like that, because they were 11 and 13 won the next, lost two and then won three.

So they're somewhere in that range. So they've won. They've won nine of 11, 14 of 18, 19 of 27, 23 of 30. Somewhere in that range. So, I mean, they've been playing really good baseball, like they're numbers wise, kind of back to where they were to start the season. And I think the thing that we've talked so much about, and obviously Ranger is still the question mark with it, but you know, it's the pitching.

Like we have talked so much about if this team is going to get where we want them to go, as you phrased it before, it's going to happen the way we want it to happen. It's going to be because they have the best starting stabbing baseball and because they have a bullpen that is the best we've seen during this run. And it's feeling that way. Like Alvarado last night, man, like he might be back like you had Alvarado. Kirkering is a freaking stud right now, like Hoffman and Strom fully back in the trust them with my life tier like good to go. And you know, Estevez, who you know, I'd rather

Jeff Hoffman closing out a really important game. But you know, he's solid. You know, I can trust Estevez for the most part. I mean, you got five and that's I mentioned Tanner Banks who, you know, a big lefty out for the most part. I mean, you got five and that's I mentioned Tanner Banks, who, you know, a big lefty out in the playoffs if you need it kind of thing like, you know, I don't trust him. I'm just saying, Jose. Well, you're also you're also missing a big and that's Jose. Can you please Jose Ruiz? You're right. Please stop forgetting.

You're right. You're right. He was independent Blue Cross, Philly the week three weeks ago. OK, that means we needed needed it too. Right. Um, I'm just, I'm really bullish about where they're at from a pitching perspective, something you've been saying for a while now, and I was a little resistant because of Rangers history and who knows if you can reestablish next couple of weeks. But I think Sanchez has to be your game three starter at this point.

He has to, or game two at home, serious. No, it's it's they won't do it, but it's it's an interesting angle. I think the key right now in the avarado really being the one that that is has kind of gotten back. I think you just have to feel great about where the pitching's at. Well, I mean, again, there's there's no Kimbrel. Like there's no that's it. That's the guy like even the step as who does allow hard allow hard contact. Like I don't feel the way that I thought when Craig Kimbrel was going to games.

No doubt. And like Kirk Greenwood hit a rookie wall last year. Allow hard contact like I don't feel the way that I thought when Craig Kimbrel was going to games no doubt I like Kirk Greenwood hit a rookie wall last year like he he was put in this Huge spots for a guy that was in single latest art here. He's in those spots Especially towards the end when we saw it back out there. It's like he doesn't have it right now and it makes sense Yep. Yep And the good part about where they're at pitching wise at least starting rotation And then sorry rotation sense is that I think like the Chris Sanchez I think they trust more to go deeper into games than they did last year

so like rather than having to pull him after two and a third or three and like just just Goug your bullpen like I think between Nola should give them pretty good length Wheeler obviously like we know what Wheeler is and then with Sanchez developing into the guy that he's developed into, like, I don't think we're going to get stuck in those spots where it's like, we got to yank him out for three or yank him out for four. And even Ranger, like, we'll see what happens to Ranger. Like, he just looked the stuff is flat, incredibly flat. And the velocity is down and the stuff looks flat.

Yeah, both things. So I don't know what they're going to do with him. He's obviously the four, but without a doubt. But he also gives you versatility because he can pitch out the panel. Yeah. But it's like, and he's also this this ice in the veins playoff guy. But when it matters most, you trust him. So it's it's a really it range of things. Interesting.

My one worry is that Rob Thompson does the Rob Thompson thing is like, well, Rangers are three because he's our three and I trust him. When it's like, man, like adjust. Well, unless they think Sanchez is is better out of the bullpen. Like, I mean, why would you think that? No, he throws harder. I know. OK, that's fine. But honestly, you don't know better.

Like you don't need either other bullpen in reality or just be like, all right. You're not going to start the guy. They're going to go to the pen like you got. We just talk about we have five relievers we trust. Like I agree. I want all five of those guys in before a ranger or I mean, not necessarily Ranger because we've seen him out of the pen but like I don't want but also I mean, even the 22 pen I mean,

that was Robertson Alvarado for Anthony and I know that's my point we haven't had any of these guys like I just feel I want my great relievers to pitch in great reliever spots. I agree. So I just worry that because he's Rangers Suarez and because he's been there and he's been the three that they might go to him even if Sanchez is better off. Well and the other thing is that he's also done this the exact like he's done this in September the last two years whereas ERA in 2022 was around four and a half and last year is over five I believe

another yeah like a little bit tougher and and yeah, I obviously would not do it. Like I want Sanchez starting game three, but there's definitely a part of me. It could happen. Yeah. And it's Ranger. Look, it's Ranger in the playoffs. I'm not like freak out. Like I do. We talk so much about the ice and I believe in all that. So I just I need to see Ranger from a stuff perspective look somewhat like the guy we saw early this season, if I'm going to even game. Yeah.

The problem with kind of things is that that last star was the last, that was the first time where it's like this. I mean, I know that the velocity was down in Miami. He was mixing a bit, but I thought, I thought there was at least a little bit more zip on the fast ball, if that makes any sense, like everything on, on, on the other day just looked like it was dead on 12 hits, you give 12 hits to a team that can't, can't hit. Yeah, exactly.

And Rob Thompson said after the break start when the Marlins start that, like, he thinks he might be dealing with dead arm. And it's like, he wasn't just on the I L like, what are we doing? Yeah. So listen, I, unless he starts to show something here and then his prize last two starts, right? His two starts left guaranteed. I don't know how you don't just put your best guys and try to go in.

And then if you need a guy, if you, if you feel good, you're in a good spot, you can use Ranger in a game for, you know, to where like, you don't want to run those guys into the ground, then you're in a good spot. So something we just brought up before, and we're obviously on the same page on it, but there's the other spot where I might, my Rob Thompson concerns going to the playoffs and I think every Phillies fan has a right to be concerned with the last two playoffs and the trusting guys and all that is the idea of going to the playoffs with Estevez as my closer. And I know

he's used spots where he's bring Hoffman, but like I worry that we get into playoffs. I need outs in the ninth inning that up, you know, Estevez is my guy. Like I need Jeff Hoffman to be that guy in those spots. I need it. And Estevez can be another, if he got a two run lead, three only fine. But if it's a one run lead going to the ninth inning and you haven't used Hoffman yet in that game, like I, it has to be Jeff Hoffman.

Yeah. And I think it will be, that's what I'm asking. I think the only way it's not is again, if, if Hoffman has to get used earlier or if like, all right, let's say they're playing a Dodger, right. And? And the eighth inning is is is Mookie and Fred. Yeah, I get it. I get it. It's a lineup thing. I agree with that. Like use them against the best hitters. But like at the end of the day, my point is I need Jeff Hoffman to be the guy that they trust most in the biggest. And I think they do. I think he's I think he's clearly their best reliever with someone that they trust in any situation.

No, he's phenomenal. I mean, the, the, the interesting part to me too, is like, you know, I think Kirk rings developing into last year's. I think Kirkman exactly, dude, like if you need a strikeout, like I trust Ryan Kurt, or Ryan Kirk, or to go in there and get you that strikeout to get you those outs. I mean, he has been freaking awesome. He said a lot of clean innings, you know, since he's been brought up and he hasn't really been pushed into like a fireman role. Yeah. That other night where I was first and third one out, got the strike out.

Like that's that's not something we've seen from him. Like we've seen him obviously have these like super quick innings. I remember having faster innings. I said this earlier earlier in the year on the pot. It feels like every time he goes out there, it's like I look up and it's like he's over. Good remember having faster innings. I said this earlier on earlier in the year on the pot. It feels like every time it goes out there, it's like, I look up and it's like, it's over. Good. First strike.

It's great. So, but, but, you know, last year they brought Hoffman, what in the fourth inning down at Atlanta in game one. So I think Orion is developing into that, which is huge because they need someone that can get a strikeout because of their guys in the bullpen, they can get strikeouts, Alvarado at the current juncture looks like you get, which is incredibly exciting. One week ago, not so much. Yeah. But we are recent samples, small sample size. Yeah. I, he looked great. I'm sad. It was a high leverage spot. He was great. What else do I need to say? Hey, last half fall, this is going to be the most fresh. He's going to be

heading into the postseason. It's actually really, I do like that angle on it because that we've seen him like we hopefully we'll get to see a few more islands and we feel good going in the past. Like he has petered out, you know, each of the last two years, the best particularly 2022, like he just ran out of gas and it made sense. Yeah. So, but they like all the guys I trust to come in and get a strikeout Hoffman's number one, but he's obviously eighth, ninth inning guy. Yeah. And he's just the one you trust the most period. Estevez is not a strikeout guy.

It's Kirkering and It's Alvarado. That if, if it's tight and you need to strike out bang, like there goes, there goes, and then they do play the Dodgers in the NLCS, God forbid, or not God forbid, but hopefully like he is going to be so like Alvarado becomes. And massively important, but like Alvarado might have to come in and like the six, you know, Tony and Freeman are monsters. Like those are such important. But like Alvarado, I have to come in and make this sick. You know, Tony and Freeman are monsters. Like those are such important and there will be spots in those games where those guys come up in big spots and you're going to want strong or off.

I mean, you're going strong in the biggest assaulting those guys. But if I brought out to your point in the sixth inning, a big spot where a tiny comes up, if you can use Alvarado there and save strong with the big spot in the eighth or whatever, ninth or tie game or whatever, when they come up like it's. And that's where I think the ranger thing comes into is like, you could be in that spot. Like if they have to use Alvarado one night and they don't want to bring it back the next night, it's a fascinating thought.

Well, and the difference between postseason baseball and regular season baseball is obviously the off days. So like that's where you can bring them in because you, if you want to start them, you can still do that. That's what they did in, in 2022. But I'm sure they like all the teams left. Like obviously the Dodgers have the most dynamic lefties, but like the Padres with Merrill and Cronenworth and Profar. Now, obviously they're they're big guns Machado and and and that he's our righties.

Arizona, Corbin Carroll and Frickin Jack. Yeah. And Jack and Jack. Yeah. And Jack. Yeah. Is is Marte better from a particular side? I think he's just. He's just good period. I didn't know if it, because that's the kind of thing you think about. Yeah. Like I'm sure he has more homeruns left because he bats more often left handed.

But like, yeah, I mean, like it's really the Dodgers, Padres in there. Brewers not really. I mean. No, the Brewers are pretty heavy. I mean, especially with Yelich out. Like if it were, if Yelich were there, that'd be the guy, but he's out, right? Yeltsin not come back, right? He's done for the year, right?

Yeltsin. Like, I think so. I think so too. I mean, no longer care. Cause he's on my fantasy team and my, my Ron is over. Oh, sorry, buddy. It's okay. Yeah.

It was, it was not, this was not the year. It was a ma it was a magical run. This is all runs have to end at some point. It was a building. Yeah. This is your 2020, 2012 Phillies. 2016. Let Let's I like that. It's good. Yeah. We've got back quicker. Yeah. Well, I did. I missed the playoffs and then I got Jackson Halle and Sharia and next year is their year. And I might have to name my second son Jackson. I call Jackson. We

did. We did come across a potential strong name though. So I say it is, I didn't realize. So Hunter Pence's nephew throws 94 at the age of, it said under 14. So I'm guessing he's 13. That's normal. Normal. His name is Striker Pence. And you were like, Striker and Walker, let's go.

I mean, it does work. Striker Walker. It might have to be one of those situations. And I'm not sure how Jill would feel about this, but where she decides on the, or we decide on the name and then I just changed those. Yeah. You just changed the births. When she's out of it, she's gave birth.

Honey, I got it. Don't worry. And then all of a sudden his name is Striker. Striker Walker and Striker. I think you talk about a duo like honestly on I did a go birds pot with Elliot We were talking like the best brother combo because the Kelsey's came up That's but like I think striker and Walker Fritz sounds like oh wow look those two Hall of Famer striker and Walker of course They were gonna be all famous trigger more like it's like natural. It just makes sense

Don't make me start welling up Hey, listen, don't all maybe are dreaming about me being Ed Kelsey. I know. You get me. I went there. You get me. It's your it's your best timeline. One thing left in life besides a Philly's World Series title, which I was actually I

was saying well, no, I was talking about that with a buddy yesterday. It's like magic. They really get like this team gets it done like first off I know like high hopes Jack is it's different. You know what I mean? Like we're more reasonable on here Always calm goal collected never get too high never get too low. Yeah, that's right. But WIP Jack would be a problem I mean you're talking about right about Thompson, right about Schwab or lead off, right about Harper. Like just, just, it would, it would be an issue for everyone involved. Yeah.

And don't even bring up the football team for two months. Oh yeah. There would be no, no, no, no, no problem. You would just, it would be a problem but yes outside of a world series title which would be unbelievable becoming at Kelsey is oh yeah I mean that's I mean that's PQ right yeah come on yeah well because like he they had this clip on New Heights yesterday where Jason was just sitting there and he was just like I guess one of his daughters doing something like, hey, get down from there or whatever.

And and Travis, like, oh, that's the Ed Kelsey parenting style. Hey, don't do that. Don't do that. I was like relatable, relatable. So yes. Yes. I mean, parents tell their kids not to do things at this point. That's the goal. I think it could happen. I mean, let's put this a, obviously it could happen.

Anything could happen, right? I think you increase your percentage of it happening substantially by naming your kids, right? I just think like it is far, like if it's like, you know, John, you're, you're John Jaguar, Jack Fritz, whatever, no offense. Like, you know, don't let people John or Walker and James Fritz. I don't know. Great name. If you're asking me, uh, Walker and Tucker Fritz or whatever. Like it's ours though. Yeah, I know. Well, striker would be yeah. But if it's striker and Walker, it's like, it's your name test. This is name test, like basic name test stuff. Believe me. Yeah, I know. I just want you to know

you also the percentage of it happening. Believe me. Okay, you're looking at a man that understands. I know you're also looking at a man that has to go home and tell Joe that the head was also involved in this problem. The name is striker. And she would say, absolutely. I tried to bring up like Wayland. She was out on Wayland very fast. Um, but we'll figure it out. What are you a country music star or something? Well, it could be. No, no, but no, cause Justin Tennessee is relentless about

naming women. I mean, Justin, I love you, buddy. Waylon would be a horrible. I can't pull off Waylon. You can call him way. I can barely way I can barely pull off why Walker Walker is like on the line for you. Yeah, I agree.

Like Texas. I am not a Southern guy. No, no, honestly, as far I'm other than liking country music, you're as far from that. I am a North Eastman. Yes. Big time. And I want to be cold. Yep. Yeah, Whalen ain't having it. I'm surprised you even mentioned it. I thought it'd be funny. You gotta save your bullets. Yeah, it's true. Funny, but save your bullets. I like you. This is what you gotta go with a bunch of Harlem names and then be like, okay, okay, that's right. Well, let's drop it in there. The problem for Jill is that I like trolling her. So sometimes I like to see what her reaction is. And the problem is that she knows you and has been with you a long time.

So like she probably just expects trolling in any situation. So it's hard to really get any of those by her. No, I know. It's just like, I like, I, I'm always just like, well, I just want to see how you reacted. And then she's like, well, you knew I was gonna react negatively. I was like, I know. She must really love that. It must be a really fun thing for you. I mean, I should explain this to... How many times do you think Jill says in her head, why did I do this? I know. Well, because it's hard to explain the real world to people who don't do what we do. Yeah, like, I'm used to saying stuff that I know people are gonna like react to whatever. But then when I do it in like my friend group, they're like, what's wrong with you? Yeah. And I'm like, I forgot. Got the this is worked. This whole thing's worth you're all messed up. Yeah, it's all good. Fills are hot. Fills are hot.

Fills are hot. We're back. Fully back. Have I stopped smiling on this podcast? No, honestly, it's so funny because you led with that and you really are like a bullion right now. You are just like ear to ear. Beaming.

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into days when you got a chance to win. Don't just sit on the sidelines, cash the ticket with us. Follow cash the ticket in the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Question for you. Super big week coming up. Big week coming up. Yeah. So they got four against or three against the Mets, three against the Brewers, four against the Mets. So it's a big 10 days of baseball coming up. Where are you at with that part of it? Because like it is, you know, like, be thrace. Nice. Three, three. That's good. Like this is like, is, you know, like be thrace nice, sweet thrace. That's good. Like this is like the Met, like I think they're going to handle business. I'm not worried or anything like that, but like, you know, the Mets are playing

good baseball. Like, can you think of anything more? Is there anything more high hopes pod than us doing this pod where you just talk about how happy you are and how everything's great. And then they get swept by the Mets. It's like, it's like the most high hopes thing they could have. It is, but unfortunately until you said that, I didn't even think of that. Like just take take Brownie points off of James's performance in the podcast

today. So thankfully, that is your fault. So, yeah, I mean, it won't happen. Yeah, no, it definitely could happen. I'm already the mindset they're taking to a three. So like, look, you're up to two or three. He's back. Yeah, come on. We are so back. Come on. Playing a ball. So, yeah, I'm at the two or three. He's back. Yeah, come on. We're back. So back. Come on. Playing good ball.

So yeah, I met the minds that are taking two or three. I want to, I just want to, I just want to kill the Mets. Like I just think I just want, I know I want to actually, I want to bury him. It's coming out of fear. Like it's not like I think they're in the division. It's more, I don't want to face them in the post. I, so Joe asked that, I think Joe asked on the show yesterday or whatever.

It was like, would you rather face the Braves and the Mets? And it's like Braves by a million. Like it's not even close. Like I don't want to know. It's Renato. Of course. I don't want like this Mets thing. Like I don't think the Mets are that good or anything like,

but I don't want to mess with that. I don't want anything to do with it. And they're so hard to like, they're so hard to figure out what the comp is for them because like the rotation is so eh. Like it's, it's manaya and kintana and sevie a bunch of it's just soft tossing lefties yeah yeah and manaya goes right to taylor tyler i was gonna know it's t y l o r i think he's tylor but then taylor's the brother yeah and he's by

the way don't do that i you know give it like tyler and taylor like don't do that yeah too, too close. It's too close. It's like Walker and Wicker or something. It's like, what are we doing? Walker and Wayland. So another reason why I said that's good. But yeah, just like, they're so hard to find a comp for because they kind of remind me like I was just on my head last night going through like, you know, teams and it's like, well, are they the 19 Nats because the Nats were horrible that year. But then you look at the Ross Nats were so much more talented. Strasburg, Scherzer and Pete Corbin and Soto and Soto, like Turner, Turner. Yeah. Like maybe the 21 Braves. 88 when team I mean, look, we talk all the time like Saler, Rosario and Peterson,

where they're like best players in the playoffs along with Freddie, you know, like that's an interesting one. Little bit. It's kind of similar. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's a really good gump actually. Like far as it could go. Like the best pitcher was what? Fried. Yeah. You know, so yeah, it's just there. They're a hard team to kind of figure out. I keep waiting for them to kind of, you know, die off and they're just not,

you know, Lindor yesterday breaks up a no hitter in the ninth with a home run, a home run five more after that. So the OMG thing terrifies me. The grimace thing terrifies me. Cocky Mets fans, they terrify me. Like I just keep waiting for the Mets thing to happen. And they haven't met. Last few years, head to head, I mean, the Mets really have gotten the better of us. At least it's felt like to me anecdotally, we've ended up winning out in the end, but it feels like when we played the Mets, especially a couple of years ago when they won the one I want or whatever, it just feels like, uh, I think I'm great. I think I haven't seen them play that well up in city besides the, the, the

throat of the throw out of the plate. It was also coinciding with an Eagles game because I remember watching it in the press box. Was it? Yeah. Yeah. It was also coinciding with an Eagles game. Cause I remember watching it in the press box. Was it? Yeah. Yeah, it was a PhD game. Yeah, I'm sure it was. There it is. Well, and I was-

You guys in the PhD games. And that's when I was getting, you know, relentlessly mocked in the press comp, or in the press box. It was like, oh. For watching the Phillies, I remember that. Well, that happened twice. But I did watch, it was the 22 season,

which I know is, I guess a good season for the Eagles but But But I was yeah, they were really boring in the middle of the season. Well, they're kicking around yeah So yeah, I was watching 22 postseason highlights in the in the press I remember which of course the the big Jays are furious about they were not happy. No, no, no But no, I was watching Phil's Mets in the the while you know in Eagles maybe preseason game was going on but yes no I think was a regular season whatever I feel pretty confident about that yeah I wasn't there for a game story I was there to talk to BLG

shout out to BLG love that guy so and then by the way BLG big cast the guy the the of all the people I know, the biggest cast. Well, here's the problem. And this is not to call BLG. Basically every time Cassie does something, we have a text, right? With BLG, me, Jack and BLG and we will get to like the eyes or something like this. Yeah. And, and I would never accuse BLG of being a fraud. Wow. Would never do it. Wow. But it's like,

it's so much easier when you don't live it every day to day, like to be a, you figure it out. His whole thing is like, it's so much easier when you don't live it. Every day to day. Like to be a, you'll figure it out. His whole thing is like, he'll figure it out. Like, okay, well, right now he's swinging at a ball eight inches off the plate. So I don't need to hear about how great he is. Although I will say,

you guys talked about on the morning show today, I mean, cocky Castee is damn good. The best. It's like, Joe had a good way of putting it. It's where like, when things aren't going well, it's like, all right, I don't really need to hear from him. When things are going great, there's no other Philly athlete. I'd rather he's just so funny. He's hilarious. I mean, like the foul play line where he's like, Kevin Cash, he was like, it's good to see you. So he knows, you know, that there's, there's no foul play there. It's like, we're not talking about a

murder here, man. It's like the baseball like foul play. What is happening? And I really I love a lot of what happened with the bra. I mean, I was probably strong. No, no, it was it was like a fracas dust. Yeah, dust up. But honestly, we could just say benches clear. That was about the extent of it. But I'm with you. The Harper thing like seeing Harper like MF and am like, the John Boyd breakdown was phenomenal.

And it was very clearly a MF or like that's like there's no that one we're sure of. Yeah. And I like that he didn't like you said he would have turned around. I thought that was awesome. Yeah. It's like, listen, I'm not going to take him to mine. Pause. Yeah. Yikes. Yeah. I'm not going to do that. Just going to wait it out. Now he waited extra long to like, you know, I'm not gonna do that. Just gonna wait it out.

Now he waited extra long too. Like, you know, I was waiting for it. Like I was waiting for him to stop. I waited for him to, yeah. He wanted, I think he wanted to do it. He wanted to turn around. He wanted to turn around. Bryce is right, which is like Bryce,

like protect yourself. The last thing, I love the teammate thing. I love you having Nick's back and they're like, man, you're hurt. You're like playing through injury. You can't hit the ball past the warning try or past the wall right now. Like don't go throwing fits. Could you not? Yes. Honestly though, maybe like a 10 game suspension wouldn't be the worst thing. Like force him to not be happy. Yeah. At this point I don't even know. I wonder if even rest is going to help. Like it feels like someone's going to have to be taken

care of after the season Great, but I just it doesn't so singles and doubles Bryce Harbor for the last might be Great is he is it is great that when like if if like a Reese Hoskins doesn't have power It's like alright, so he's gonna walk and there's nothing there like Bryce at least is such a great hitter That he can adjust and be like a 300 plus hitter when he's not you know he just popped the ball over the field like at least that is there yeah well i mean he is hitting for 400 in september and i will say like we've talked about bunch but in 2022 it was this thing we're off the the wrist injury the whole thing coming back like no power

for a month and then the playoff start game two against cardinals bang and and he's off and running like i wouldn't put it past him to win the lights or bright whatever to be able to get that extra I put just about nothing past Bryce Harper. So I'm with you. I'm totally with you. I just because at this point At this point it feels like he's just playing throw because he has to play through it like because I don't know maybe rest doesn't Wouldn't do anything. So I I want to know what it is though, like because I don't know maybe rest doesn't wouldn't do anything so I I want to know what it is though like because it doesn't make any sense. It was normal wear and tear like you should be fine. My bigger concern is like are they gonna have to go in there again and but but at the same time like he wouldn't be he has to throw it first base so like it can't be another like that kind of tear like a Tommy John tear.

Oh, I don't think it's a Tommy John. But like, I just, it doesn't really add up to me right now. Like, if it was normal wear and tear, then he should be able to like, be fine. And I don't be the other risk, right? Do we know for sure that it's the right? Uh, isn't he just talked about it bothering him? Did he talk about what one it was? Well, I think I think it's the right arm, because it's still like all He's wearing the thing again. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well the one Concerning ish quote was like I feel like I'm I'm hitting the ball where it should be, you know I'm like the launch angles right like the and then it just it's not going. Well, that's what it looks like

It's very clearly like the Garrett Stubbs thing dude, I said this on the afternoon show, but like the the the the Garrett Stubbs ball off the bat, like that's gone. And then it being caught on right. Unbelievable. It's it's ridiculous. Like five yards in front of the warning. It's so funny, dude. It's again, if you squint, he's Chase.

I'll leave, you know, like like he it's so funny, dude. It's again, if you squint, he's J. Sotley. You know, like like he it's just like, I will say it's it was funny watching because because Martian's not a huge guy. You know, I mean, Martian's not a small stubby, but he doesn't look big back there. JT looks big back there when he's catching. Yeah, it was weird watching Garcia last night in the last couple of nights or whatever. I guess that was him before. But the two times he's been out there where it's

like, Oh, he's a huge guy back there, but he's not JT. It was just weird seeing a like, cause I'm so used to if it's not JT, it's our little guy there, you know, little guys, but yeah, it's big. Look at him. I know. I know. Um, but yeah, I just, the Harvard, the Harvard one's a conundrum. You know, I, I just, I think this is what we're getting.

And I hope that they can find the power again, but I just, something feels off here with like, well, why can't, like if it's normal wear and tear, then why can't a couple of days off just get you back right? And it makes me worried that this is going to be something that they're going to be dealing with after the season. Yeah. Well, I'm much more worried about it for the playoffs than after the season. I think you're going to get your point.

We want the ultimate. Yeah, exactly. And look, you know, it would be so Phillies for like them to win it the year that Harper came out of the ballpark and he's just like ripping singles around, but everyone wanted no more home runs thing. Like, again, no one thought that Nick Foles would be the quarterback to bring it to the Super Bowl. Finally, not just that, Nick Foles would be the quarterback to bring it super bowl. Finally, bring Hey, not just that Nick Foles like out playing Tom Brady when he throws for five five like none of us thought that was gonna happen

So I'm open. It's one of those. Um, alright So So I was talking to I was talking to Larry Bowe the other day Can I just jump in real quick a lot of name drops from you this by? Larry Bo the other day. Can I just jump in real quick? A lot of name drops from you this by And then I like oh, let me let me think about how many famous people I could talk about hanging out with and talking to Oh, go ahead. No, so I was talking to Larry Bo and he was talking about how like The 1980 team when they were going down the stretcher where I mean middle of summer. He was like

He was like, yeah, all we heard about was 1964, 1964, 1964, like you guys are gonna do it, whatever, I think that developed the chip on their shoulder. And it just made me believe even more. This might be the year. I liked it. There was a lot of 64 comparisons for this team. And you know, that team also went through, the 80 team went three months of playing 500.

Can we also say officially not the 2023 Eagles. They're not. They're not. Thank God. My least favorite thing that happened all year was having to retalk about that. I hated it. I know. But they were like, no, it's fair.

I hated that. It was fair. I hated everything about me too. Me too. But the 80 team, I mean, they went three months of playing 500. They did. And they also had for them. I mean, they had the, you know, 90 whatever months of playing 500. They did. And they also had for them, I mean,

they had the, the, you know, 90 whatever years of a franchise on the back and they also had 76 through eight, like they had made the plans. They had failed. Like a lot of people believe if they hadn't gotten done that year, that team would have been broken up at least to some extent. Well, really carpenters said they exactly. Yeah. So there was a lot on that team and then they really obviously came through with it. And you know, Angelina brought this up because he was. Shadda. Of course. Like I was like.

Oh, does he remember the 1964? I wouldn't be shy. He looked at the box score once and he could tell you every hit that every person had. Well, he was like early in the year, he's like, this has to be the best team 76. And I was like, what are you talking about? He's like, well, you know, they got off there. I was like, all right, relax. You know, stick it to the teams. I think it's like the teams that we know best teams in 2011, right? It's like, yeah, it's like not as good as 76.

All right. It's a big Dave Cash guy. Easy, easy. But he mentioned like the two teams that have won a title for the Phillies both went through like massive midseason struggles. I mean, again, the 80 team, three months of 500 baseball, the OAT, a three and 11 stretch to end June and like a six week power outage. And this team's going to win more games in the OAT team. Yeah.

Yeah. I mean, were they 92 right now? I know. 92 and oh, yeah, it's probably going to be 94, 95. I guess. I don't know how it plays out, but like maybe 81 91 anyway either 91 or 92 in 80 no oh oh oh oh similar in 80 yeah 91 I want to say I'm not 100% sure should get my ganglion in here I know well oh it was definitely 92 so that one I'm sure yeah that's what threw me off yeah so yeah like

listen they're 88 right now low I would just I want to hear. I just want to see 95. I know it does. I do too. No one with you. I care about it now. To be fair, just give me two. We all know why. Get over eight and nine and a half.

That's right. Got some shackles riding on it. Just very disappointed in Vegas, per usual. Yeah. And we have also, can I just say anyone who didn't bet on them to win the division, shame on you. Bad call. It was like plus 300 odds or whatever.

It was like, what are we doing here? Yeah. Speaking of odds, I'm pretty bomb stealer. Wheeler won't win the division. Shame on you. Bad call. It was like plus 300 odds or whatever. It was like, what are we doing here? Yeah. Speaking of odds, I'm pretty bomb stealer. Wheeler won't win the Cy Young. Yeah, it's it's gonna be Chris. Yeah, it's gonna be Chris. And I like it. The thing is, too, I one of the things that I kind of been banging on before the sale thing happened was like, all right, this is Wheeler's year. Like, everyone knows he got screwed out of it the Burns year, like he deserved it that year. He's been so consistently top two top three in the National League for so long. It's like when it be one of his MVP. Right.

Nice. But I mean, you're right. They should have been, you know, get you again. They, you know, whatever. But Chris sales never won one either. Like, so he doesn't even have the narrative thing going like Chris sales actually been top five way more than Wheeler has in his career. I mean, I think salesman top five, like six or seven times or something like that. Five or six times like he's been up there a lot.

Like so you don't even have the narrative part where it's like, it's Wheeler's year. It's Chris sales year, even more. He has had a longer, better career, sadly than, than Wheeler. Chris sales, not a hall of famer. Right. So I don't think so, but I would, when I was looking at like, he has had a lot of tough young finishes, like I was shocked how many it was and I like threw it. I mean, first, so funny you said that because I didn't think about it at all

until I was looking at his stats this morning. And I was kind of like, well, dude, I mean, when he's there, man, whenever Chris L can just be healthy, he's like a top five pitcher in baseball. Chris L is Chris L is awesome. I mean, so good, man. And, um, honestly, like we, you're old enough to remember. I know I'm always old enough to remember these things when he started when his career came up Like everyone was like this dude's got no chance like his arm is going to fall off at the elbow like he will not last He's really lasted. It's pretty amazing. So real quick. He has top five finishes for Cy Young

Okay, let's go top six because he has one type six one two three four five six seven. That's a lot That's a lot man. He's gonna have six and he's gonna so six, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. That's a lot. That's a lot, man. He's going to win one of the six and he's going to, so today it'll be eight. This year be eight, eight times in the top six for saying that that's like hall fame stuff and I wish I could make a case with the innings, but he's only like 14 innings behind Wheeler, I think. So it's not like that drastic.

It's not even like burns was like, I think 30 innings behind. Well, that was why I think we all should have won it that year when you looked at it. Yeah. Like we said, like we always said, like we always said. So it's a shame though, because, um, you know, it's another year and this one, I don't, I think it's less of a slight against Wheeler, but it is a shame because like Zach Wheeler should have a say on it. I agree. I agree. I agree. I'm with you. I would be at this point. I mean, for those who aren't following it, I think, is he 16 and three right now with a 238 ERA leads the league. He leads 16 wins leads the league, which is well, 16 and three is a good good. Oh, no, I'm saying not that not the 16 and three. It's a great record. I'm saying the fact 16 wins leads the league gets you on a different baseball. Will we ever see a 20 game winner? I know 16 wins leads the league gets him a different baseball. Will we ever see a 20 game winner?

Again, it's crazy. It's crazy. I sales sales gonna win it and he deserves it unless good Last two starts rough him up, baby. I don't think it's gonna happen. I don't think I'm gonna happen No, yeah, one of the bigger things that I think happened this year He's against the Rays is Trey looks really healthy by finally Yeah, the two homers that like two homers, but even like defensively made a running play in left field, he's getting to baseballs. He looks like he's kind of, thank God. He's, uh, you know, spry out there. I agree with you.

And he almost beat out a ball in the infield last night where it was just like, that's like, that's the dynamic Trey. And. And like he said, four home runs in his last 11 games. So he just looks healthy. And I think he was still dealing with a little bit of hamstring issues when he came back. So well, which would be, you know, he was, it looked like he was kind of playing it safe early on too. He wasn't like pushing the like pushing it to run super fast at times. So that would jive with that. Nope. And I'm currently monitoring something. I love a good Fritz monitor. Monitoring the Bob Dylan situation.

So hold up one sec. You could have given me 5,000 guesses there of what the monitors that you're, and the Bob Dylan situation was absolutely not one of those 5,000 guesses. Got my PRI. Welcome aboard. Look at you. Yeah, yeah. And the Bob Dylan situation was absolutely not one of those five thousand guests. I might be all right. Welcome aboard. Look at you. Yeah. Yeah. Pretty good. Yeah. Just monitoring the Bob Dylan.

I'm actually surprised it's taking you this long. Like it's kind of right up your alley. You love like folk and you love that kind of sound that you're approaching and all that kind of stuff like took me a while like Neil Young. I love Neil Young. I've always actually I was always like the second I heard Jim Cro Young. I've always, I've actually, I was always like the second I heard Jim Crotty, I was like, that's a guy.

That's a guy. So yes, the Bob Dylan thing, we're monitoring. Good. And pretty good song. I did have a thing. I did have a thought today too of like, I think, I think friend of the devil is unskippable. Oh, you don't want to look great for that on me. I love this. Yeah. I think it's not. It's an unskippable. Oh, you don't want to look great for that on me.

I love this. Yeah. I think it's not. It's an unskippable song. I think it's a short too, which is pretty, pretty unskippable. It's amazing song and scenes from an Italian restaurant. It's still the best song to listen to while walking around the city. As you've said, I'll give you a, it's not like a deep billing cup and

check out tangled up in blue. Amazing. So that one's done. My is it on my run? It's a great song. I think that one's on my, on my rundown. It's a great song. And Speaking of the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia does. I actually think that, I mean, which is a Dylan thing, obviously, there are many versions of Dylan songs that are better than his version. Jerry Garcia band Tangled Up in Blue.

Okay. Listen to that. Well, Trust me on this. As we both know, John Mayer put them on the map. Yes. And I want to, I want to give a special shout out to this guy.

Special shout out today. Yeah, because I saw you this yesterday. So John Critch. This is so cool. And his family. This is so cool. So his four kids, Avi, Bo, Tori and Shua. Shout out.

They love listening to the podcast. So they do the, they were singing High Hopes by Tim House, by the way. Look up Tim House. High Hopes. There, so they're singing the intro into a House, by the way. Look up the high hopes. There's there's singing the intro into a seltzer, yo into all the ad reads. So just professionals and couldn't appreciate. And let me tell you, Jack said it to me. I played it for Emily.

I really specifically want to thank you guys, John, the whole family, the kids, because in this we've talked about this in the bottom before, though I have my wife, Emily loves the pod hates the yo, because she has been woken up many times with the yo's. Like she'll be like, can you keep it down? I'll be like, no, it's the best I can't like, sorry, just deal with it. Like, Zoe, the whole thing. The only thing that has turned my wife on the yo is over the years, the videos that I've gotten or these type of things where kids are into it and do it and she can't fight back. She's like, okay, yeah, like that's awesome. And so thank you. You are helping my life. The case. Thank you. And the other thing is I continue to win the battle against cursing on the body. I don't do it. I know it's over. I don't think there's a battle anymore. I think you just won.

It's family, family, even to the point where when I do curse, which I think a few pods ago, it slipped out. I'm like, oh no, I'm so sorry. Think about the kids. Think about the kids. Family friendly. And now we got Tucker, Mr. YouTube guy over here. I'm like fully out on cursing on the pod.

You will never hear a curse on here unless it slips. Way to be a pro. Way to be a pro. to be a pro it fills with the world series that might have might have to break it all bets are off there would be beers ad and jason kelsey dropped an mf or on the radio day so no big deal you know he is one of a kind what the best one of a guy one of a kind so that's all I got. And I'm not here, buddy. You're not that nervous for this weekend. Excited this weekend.

Could talk myself into becoming nervous. Could be nervous like that. Like a couple innings in. It's like, oh, gosh. Yeah. But they're in a good spot. Yeah, I'm excited. And then on a throat. Yeah. Well, this is it.

Look, you can step on the Mets throat. You can step on the Brewers throat. Yeah. Over the next few games here. And I was. Ro then on a throat. Yeah. Well, this is it look you can step on the Mets throat You can step on the Brewers throat. Yeah over this next few games here and obviously I can smoke last night Smoked was a 14 to 4. No, that was the diamond backs one was 14. Yeah diamond backs. I Just I I are you monitoring the diamond back equation You know that they've uh, what was the stat? I heard this morning They tied the record for most games with like double digit runs and double digit extra base hits or something like that. Oh sick.

Yeah, I think they had like 12 extra base hits last night. Super. Think about that. Great. Love it. Yeah, Christian Walker's back, two home game. The whole NL playoffs, everything scares me. Agree.

Well, that's what's different from last year. Last year you had like a team like the Marlins who were, you know, that they were not a playoff, you know, and, and big Phillies win Grand Slam cool and all that. But like they were not, they shouldn't have been there this year. You're going to have six teams who's like, there's no 81 and 81 or 82 and 80 team getting in. Like all these teams are going to be a good, you know, eight to 10 games over 500. It's legit.

Totally. Gonna be stressful. Yeah. You guys talking about more excited or nervous. I'm definitely in the nervous. Oh, I'm more excited, but I get it. Here's the thing. The Diamondbacks will make me nervous. Like, honestly, I'd rather play the Dodgers than the Diamondbacks.

I know that's crazy, but I would like I am so out on playing the Diamondbacks. I do hate them. So out on it. Like I want to beat them so that'd be fun. Like, you know, when you do the mm mm mm mm mm. That's how I feel about Diamondbacks. That is my official stance on that.

Give me the bro. I'll take the bro. Yeah. Please. Like, come on, beat Reese in the playoff series. Just be great. He is struggling. It's like, oh, yeah, we remember those stretches to struggle. All right. We'll be back after the weekend. Big series against the Mets. Um, Sunday night baseball next weekend, right? Yeah.

Okay. So I messed that up last night. Yeah. That's what I thought. All right. So, uh, we'll be back probably Sunday or I guess we'll football figured out either Sunday or Monday. We'll be back.

Uh, until then, he's Fred, some seltzer. You