Magic number is shrinking as Phillies continue to stay hot | Phillies Talk Podcast

The magic number is down to 15 for the division baseball is back and there really is nothing like a home team advantage that's why Team Toyota makes an obvious choice for your next vehicle purchase or service with their MVP pricing guarantee teammates reward program and streamlined customer experience their award-winning sales and service departments are there for all of your vehicle needs a home team Advantage is nothing without family and Community their employees are part of the family they're part of your town and we're all part of the team visit team toyota. net and CH one of their three locations in Langhorn Glen Mills or [Music] [Applause] [Music] Princeton 15 Sean K 15 the magic number is down to 15 welcome into Philly Talk podcast presented by Team Toyota I'm swis M Kuro joined by the one and only Sean Kane the so Philly's pre and post game thanks for having me dude what a day huh it's it's been a while yeah so we're we're still trying to get schedules sorted out and all that stuff and Ricky and Cory will be on here hopefully at the end of this weekend um after the Phillies finish up their Series against the Marlins but yeah dude a lot to get to um it's been a busy week obviously and yeah the magic number is down to 15 and as we sit here on September 6th um before the second game down in Miami it's crazy man I can't well one I can't believe September and two can't believe that here we are at eight games up you know now tied for the best league and the best record in baseball yeah yeah it's uh the division the ship has been steady you know about a month ago there was Panic the bravs were playing well it got to within four or five games uh but you just said it eight games now with 22 to play so we did the math uh before the postgame show last night uh and Phillies just go 11 and 11 over the last 22 the Braves would have to go 19 and three to win the division so you can you can figure F those odds out yourself I don't want to jinx anything and then but the division seems like it's formality now um and now it's just a matter of trying to get that top seed trying to hold off the Brewers at least one of the top two seeds so they'd avoid playing in that wild card series and then you know if they can just tie with the Dodgers or better or they get the top seed for a potential HomeField at the NLCS and really through the World Series because right now the NL teams are kind of a step ahead of the American League teams so they're still plenty to play for but the division is their main goal and it's looking pretty good right now it is it is and again as you mentioned and just the Panic that was set into some of these Phillies fans and now to be like hey see they wrote The Strip everything's okay um and you and I were just kind of talking about it and we'll get to really the player of the week um here the last few days but um yeah we were talking about it right before we came on the Phillies are now 15 and six since Kyle schor's Grand Slam against the Marlins on August 14th Y and we kind of we talked about it especially with Brookie on the Pod the other day that was kind of like the turning point of like all right this is the write the ship this that was the moment where it was like okay yeah maybe they're going to be okay everything's going to be fine and and again since then five or 15 and six five straight winners of 10 their last 12 they're finally get on a roll yeah and they had just the game prior to that grand slam was that first game against the Marlins they had lost it kind of got blown out and it was like oh my God like it was it was pretty bad then and then they were losing that game against the Marlins the second game when Scher hit the Grand Slam back on August 14th and um yeah they've really played well since then they've uh you mention a 15- six in the last 21 10 and 12 10- two in the last 12 uh heading into this uh this game Friday in Miami uh trying to win a fifth straight Series so no it's been uh it's been nice to see them kind of regain their footing and uh and win some series and and play pretty good baseball both you they won a series in Kansas City that's a uh potential playoff team they they beat a won a series pardon me against the Astros so they're they're playing some good teams they're beating some good teams taking care of business against Toronto and uh so far so good against Miami after one game so it's nice nice to see and um you know there's still some question marks but yeah schwarber you alluded to him you know just kind of setting the tone and that's generally what he does man it's uh he had been struggling a little bit you know he hit the Grand Slam but then he kind of went into a funk and then in Toronto just kind of holy cow um had another big double in the series opener against Miami and he sets the tone and a lot of people obviously question why why him at the top of the lineup but Rob Thompson stuck with them and they've won a lot of games that's always Rob Thompson's line when he's the lead off spot and that's the case again this year they're winning a lot of games with uh with schwarber at the top and his whale was maybe the fastest lead off guy better I he's not yeah seems healthier seems better as back out left field a couple days ago and did pretty well out there man nice little sliding catch so it's uh it's nice to see him back on track and uh and getting things started uh early on in these games too Kyle Schwarber is on fire at the plate yeah that game on Tuesday man against the Blue Jays just insane there was everything that I I put on Twitter the game was drunk I mean it was insane dude like just he hits off with the leadoff bomb then Philip struggles which we'll get to Tyler here in a second um but then yeah then the see them kind of just chip wi everyone in the clubhouse afterwards kind of said you know that's they never really got down on themselves even when they were down 61 they were down 84 blatty takes tied deep for a massive shot to make it eight4 there in the sixth or seventh um yeah and then they just kind of keep chipping away keep chipping away and in in my opinion we've kept saying it especially against the Braves you know that's the biggest one of the year was almost a very important win for this team especially when they've been struggling and really like it was kind of like oh yeah they got their their groove back especially taking three or four from Atlanta um and then all a sudden it was like all right well they still don't have a fifth starter but this shows that the offense is now clicking a little bit more and more years and that's the thing stot has found his Groove um Thursday night finishes with two hits a home run it's 11th of the season um and he even talked about just kind of hitting the going the opposite way to make it one nothing there in the first um that's always good to see Bry St finally you and I have been talking about it a lot especially in the Pod just we have to get this guy going and it looked like he did on Thursday for sure yeah and the offense is kind of doing what they're doing without Alec home he's been out for like a week now at least we see if he's in the lineup tonight in Miami but it's been over a week since he um hurt his hand and you can tell Harper obviously is battling through but both elbows are giv him issues but yeah the offense and in the game in Toronto that first game in Toronto uh on Tuesday when Phillips got hit hard early um and yeah they just weren't out of it and they had a ton of traffic in the base pass like I think they still even though they won the game I I don't know what they were Runners and scoring position on the top of my head but they had about felt like it was about three for 18 at one point um and then obviously SCH came up with a big home run in the ninth inning but yeah they're getting guys on base I think Cody Clemens has given them a nice spark um getting some starts now uh he had a great atad in that game on Tuesday it ended with a fielder's choice but saw a ton of pitches then he hits the big home run uh on on Wednesday pardon me and then had another two-run double in Miami on Thursday night so he's coming some big hits um I I think he's going to end up on a postseason roster just the the ability he has to come off the bench and give you a professional at that uh the versatility he has they feel comfortable with him in the Outfield um in addition to Third Base first base so um you can play a little second base to in emergency so uh he's something to watch I think in the last three weeks this season he's kind of made his most of his opportunities uh the last week certainly yeah and and him and Weston Wilson it's exactly what they kind of needed um obviously with marfield wasn't providing that and it was time for him to go but to see Cody Clemens and see Weston Wilson get these opportunities and you know yeah Cody there could be a chance have a Cody Clemens Coy moment yeah come off which would be incredible um it's been so great to see him swing the bat he made that that play in the eighth or ninth yeah I guess the eighth last yeah thw the ball about 10 feet over bryon's head which ended up leading to Miami second run but other than that I I've been super impressed with Cody yeah um he's just been feel like every time he's up to the plate it's like all right yeah something Good's gonna happen here and when you can have a young guy off the bench like that kind of give you that confidence where it's like hey he's gonna come through whether it's a double down the line and yeah I guess what he set up sh's home run in the ninth in Toronto on Tuesday yeah um they got the first two guys on and then did he hit a double I'm pretty sure Double Down the Line gerrero yeah exactly yeah and then yeah from there and short go yard and this place went nuts I know you were probably down in the control room and yeah all that stuff but yeah it was it was great up in office everyone kind of was like yeah you kind of felt it was GNA happen and then it did I was like okay here we go go sure that was that wase that game I know you mention earlier and I just feel bad for Tyler Phillips like I know we' talked a lot about him um on the podcast previously and job he first came up and even when he struggled you know he's just the local guy being from you can just tell how much it means to it means a lot everybody in the big leag obviously but he living out his dream just you know multiple times when he hasn't pitched well just always says he feels like he's letting everybody down yeah and then just kind of bottom out like that against Toronto out of the first inning and afterwards he looked like honestly like you know he was going to cry cry afterwards it was a shame um but it just doesn't seem to be working out for him you know he throws that complete game against Cleveland and I think his last four starts is RA is like over 17 it's just he had that awful start in Seattle the rough one in Toronto he was okay in La um it started against new Marlin it was just okay but um you feel bad like I just don't think it's going to work out obviously they sent him back down figure out the starter spot step Johnson who I know we're going to get into but um just kind of feel bad for the local guy it was going so well it such a great story and you can tell it really hurts him when he doesn't do well and that's kind of been the case the last handful of starks I felt so bad for him and and for everyone that didn't get to see um on postgame and we we got a clip up on um on social as well but man yeah the guy was just so defeated and it stinks because the you know the atmosphere in the club was great there's our guy Ricky Bo um hi Ricky um but yeah in the clubhouse was great now they just came back from 84 down and trer goes yard for his third home run and the clubhouse was great and then you get to Tyler and he's just like ah man this poor kid and you like you said man you can just tell how much this means to him and he did he reiterates like he just feels like he's letting himself down I think Alex cofy or someone asked the question um of you know is it kind of more magnified that this is your hometown team and sure you having all this pressure you know and he said he's like yeah I let my family down like dude hey you're okay and everything's going to be fine and I think they'll figure out this fifth rotation spot here coming up but yeah yeah man it was tough and I yeah we talked about it the other day on um before postgame live yeah his last four starts you just mentioned it it's something ridiculous dude and in like 15 16 Innings with like 23 or 24 in runs it's just it's not been great so no fortunately was a fun while last but um Expectations for Seth Johnson I'm excited to Seth Johns Sunday good transition good transition you know they they knew earlier in the week Rob the day after Philips they sent him down and Rob Thompson kind of said you know I know what we're going to do but you know don't want to really get into it yet but he said it wasn't likely there'll be a bullpen game on Sunday and you know we all knew kby Allard wouldn't there isn't eligible to come back up until the 10th so we need we knew something had to give on Sunday and we were all trying to figure out re between the lines Nick Nelson has just been promoted are they gonna try to start Nick Nelson because he's throwing this knuckle ball maybe give that a shot uh but sure enough Seth Johnson which um which I like like I you know the guy's been awesome in Triple A uh you know a high pedigree guy was a high draft pick uh kind of bounced around a little bit between a couple different organizations then comes over to the Phillies uh in the sto trade uh at the end of July um it kind of has like a parallel a little bit I was talking uh last night to Jeff lexler one of our producers uh the parallels between him and Spencer schwellenbach a little bit you know both played shortstop in college really pitched here in there uh both had Tommy John surgery not too long ago and obviously we've seen what schwell and box done for the uh the Braves but if he can be that type of guy that can come up and give them a spark obviously for a couple more weeks the regular season here um but just a good athlete a guy they're obviously high on a guy the Orioles were high on and then um you know to get him going and to see the numbers he's put up in Triple A in his last three starts in leehigh Valley I think his ra is like 0.56 uh he's just named the the pitcher the minor league pitcher of the month for August in the organization so he's on a roll uh obviously it's a big step up for him and you know the Marlins aren't the 27 Yankees it's a nice lineup for him to kind of hopefully get his feet wet again see how he does on Sunday I'm looking forward to watching them and uh you know maybe gives him a spark and gives them somebody in that fif spot at least to to eat up Innings and and keep the other guys uh arrested uh you know heading into October yeah I'm excited to see Seth and it is crazy that the two pictures that they got in that sto trade shared picture of the month for in the minor leagues and it's great Moes is it chass I don't want chass yeah so also had a great month down in uh in Clear Water or not clear water I guess it was in Jersey Shore I think um so it's just great to see it's kind of like they get the addition by subtraction with Gregory SoDo right it was kind of like all right who are these two guys and now so Johnson's gonna get thrown in here um I'm excited to see him man and I love that comparison with spencor schwenck um yeah dude and yeah I'm looking at stats right now as last so far with Lei 16 Innings only five hits one earn run 13 GS and a .56 yeara so and yeah because kobby Allard can't come up till September 10th so we're four days away from some maybe seeing kobby Allard again but I'm excited to see SE Johnson get a start here um it's going to be interesting do we it I feel like that's been the talking point of this podcast from March of like all right the depth is great now can these guys perform and without Taiwan and I'll tell you what Taiwan looked pretty good uh on Wednesday is was typical statline too like four Innings four hits right one earn run or two earn runs I guess with the the vlat Home Run and yeah but um yeah man we we'll hopefully see what said Johnson I'm excited to see what he can bring um the numbers are there dude the numbers are there down in in in Triple A so um yeah I guess we'll see but kind of transitioning too um to the Ace of this team from the fifth start to the ace could we see a S saong award go to Zack Wheeler come November now the thing is be great because now the Braves are now as we sit down here on Friday September 6th uh about two o'clock the Braves are currently tied with the Met for that wild spot which is an insane thought to even have um the Mets are here they're really hot lately um pH got seven more that'll be inter to see not interrupt no no we were talking too I mean there's a if you do 15 days from now that is September 21st is when the Phillies go up to New York and City Field um so that could be a clinching situation which we'll get to we had the debate last night of if they are they gonna celebrate I think they wait that's right they have to right and the way it's out now it's like they're kind of magic number to clinch a spot bra and Mets are like tied right now is going to be pretty much identical to their to clinch the division kind of stays that way now it probably will vary by a game or two but I can't see them like going nuts before the division's clinch like you know especially if like it's only another day or two before you get in as a division so right that seems to be the goal that's number one goal that's the big celebration I think and then obviously they still keep playing get that bu into DS and hopefully the top record as well in whole field correct yeah so so yeah that was that was a debate that was a debate in the office was like do you think they're going to have two celebration knowing this team it wouldn't surprise me if they have two celebrations um maybe we'll have to talk to some guys when they get back here against the raid coming on Monday but celebrity Cook Steve Marano brings his Italian American Cooking back home to Philly enjoy Marano's Prime at Rivers Casino and Steve's Famous meatballs with Sunday gravy prime steaks and more make reservations for Marano's Prime on Open Zack Wheeler or Chris Sale for NL Cy Young? Table um yeah man going back the Chris Sale Zack Wheeler comparison is crazy and you know God forbid if we end up facing them or the Phillies end up facing them the Wild Card round the Rays end up making the playoffs and somehow the philes collapse of that third seed I mean even in seeming in the nlds having a Zack Willer crale match up would be awesome especially when it comes down to the song who has your vote right now if the sayong ended right now yeah I think s would get it right now unfortunate I mean wheeler certainly deserving I just think sales numbers are a little better and from all the injuries they've had had um pitching staff and otherwise he's kind of been you know the one constant in their rotation um which is crazy because of all the injury he's always inj like I thought when they signed him like knowing the Brady's always been a great year but I did I you know thinking at some point he probably have to miss a few weeks or a month some type of injury knowing his recent history but he's been great and it's you know we has been s unworthy and you feel like by this point in his career you know he finished second Corbin Burns a few years back like he he kind of deserves one at this point you let to see him get one it's still possible like you know he still has a start tonight in Miami Friday night in Miami uh then he'll have a couple more starts after that obviously so if he can continue to pitch well s has a hiccup I don't think it's like a done deal I just think s is the front runner at the moment um but Wheeler's been great for them and Wheeler and Nola like Nola numbers aren't as good as as wheelers but just taking the ball just for those two guys to stay healthy take the ball every five days be that steadying Force you know while you dealt with the ranger injury the the fifth starter all year has been an issue um you know Chris Sanz has been pretty solid he's had a few hiccups but just you know wheeler and no kind of setting the tone at the top of the rotation you're big money guys um they've been great Wheeler's uh been the best of the two of them so uh I hope he uh can make a late surge here I don't think he has it now but they're still you know three four weeks to play so hopefully he can uh finish strong and see what happens I hope so and it could start tonight uh against the the Marlins with Zack Willer again on the mound against the Marlins against Edward Cabrera um dude it was crazy to me I didn't realize chisel also hasn't had a s he's finished second a few times like Zack finished second in 2021 sentimental vat type guy that's right exactly and like I think it been almost like The Comeback player of the year to a point if they had something like that you know Cale being the guy to win that award and maybe you know like you said I don't know necessarily a sympathy award um but just to give Chris S an opportunity and he's I can't believe the season that he's had and I saw a tweet from a Red Sox fan when he made that crazy play um against the Giants or was like a comebacker they like if that happened to Boston a few years ago he's probably in a for the rest of the year and all that stuff so it is good to see Chris Sale um obviously go ahead no I'm just gonna get back to Wheeler like ex I've been thinking about wheeler like not just this year say young just what he's done since he signed here you know he came over before the co season so 2021 22 23 24 it's his fifth year he's got the New Deal he's locked in for a couple more years um you know if he continues to pitch at this level or near this level like at some point you got to start thinking where falls in the pecking order of great Phil's pitchers yeah like Roy how was awesome but he had two good years right he had two great years and he started getting hurt you know Cliff Ley had some good years Cole Hamill was awesome homegrown great years he had some down years too wheeler has just been so consistent for like half a decade now um you know at some point you start saying is he the discussion for like best pitcher Phillies pitcher since Steve Carlton yeah which is you know 40 plus years ago now um if he continues to go like this does he start building a Baseball Hall of Fame case yeah um yeah again I know he missed some time early in his career with injuries uh and it was kind of a late bloomer you know with the Mets and then after the trade to the Phillies so that the counting numbers aren't there he just had his one go through win but um I don't know man he's been dominant and he's put together a really nice run here of sustained Excellence so just to kind of step back and like appreciate what he's done for the Phillies how good he's been consistent he's been uh it's pretty impressive it's been and it's I feel like I I guess being in Philadelphia obviously it's like yeah we we know who Zack Wheeler is and all this but I feel like nationally it's it's been under the radar since he's been a member of the Phillies it's kind of like this guy's had some of the better numbers in baseball history and his postseason numbers are historic as well and yeah no one's really talking about him the fact that we're even sting here being like yeah there's a Hall of Fame case if weer can keep this up and obviously extending him was huge was huge and hopefully you can keep this up and even speaking of that dude Nola kind of working his way up as well in the in the Phil history books and with pictures and stuff and we get back to him he's just yeah Rob said it you said it Ricky said it everyone said it just misser consistency you know he's gonna go out there and stay stay healthy knock on wood and continue to U throw the ball and throw the ball well and um yeah man it's it's this zong race is gonna be great um and now kind of transition into what you were talking Should Bryce Harper take the weekend off? about in you mentioned it earlier Bryce just being banged up my opinion going into this year series was rest this entire week and I know he doesn't like doing that yeah I don't know why he wouldn't want to just take it easy this weekend I mean dude what there was like ,000 people there at the Phil at the game last night was like the lowest attendance at a Phillies game this season right on Thursday night in Miami like no one really cares down there that's almost a glorified triple A team with the Marlins just take this weekend off you know you can tell he's Hur um I just my opion was like what's he what's he he's not in race anymore no he's not trying to get the batting side or home run like anything and maybe it is more at Bass try to find that power because he's still the power still missing but I don't know my opinion was like dude take this weekend off regroup I mean you have a good series against the Ray and then you have the Milwaukee series coming up which is a huge series that that's series that we have to be focused on um I mean what are your thoughts on Bryce playing this weekend and did you have the same thoughts I did yeah I mean logically to think like not putting on the let's give him a few days but he said he talked after the when he got plunked in the left elbow Toronto on Wednesday yep left the game early after that first inning at bat um he was asked that and he was just like I don't think a day or two I would feel the same in a day or two if I I don't think my elbow my wrist would get any better if I just took a day or two off and Rob Thompson you know made the joke like he's just dealing with it and when he swings and misses it hurts told him not to swing and Miss but I don't all things in this organiz I I just I think Bryce kind of sets the tone for what Bryce is going to do he's been awesome on the field he's been awesome off the field and if Bryce says he wants to play he's gonna play yeah you know Rob Thompson obviously is a good manager I'm not trying to say he's a pushover uh but he's gonna listen to Bryce Harper and he's not gonna you know butt heads with Bryce Harper at this point in the season over a couple of days of rest and you know they're winning not like he's hurting the team but um but yeah they need some power obviously more going on a month now right since his last was in Arizona August 9th yeah so um you know he's still hitting for a decent average but um but yeah he's not 100% and they both said that everybody's dealing with something this time of year but he seems to be dealing with you know both elbows and a wrist not great for a hitter yeah that's a little more than just kind of you know bumps and bruises so yeah I agree with you I think a couple days off would help if he says it doesn't and his vote pretty much the only one and it's it's bry's word anyone else's word which is you know hey I give credit to the guy I'm not saying you know I'm not saying he shouldn't play yeah just in my opinion I was like dude just take this series off again this is a and even last night I think Ricky s were sitting here and oh God we have to we'll tell a story about his experiences yesterday at a drive-thru yeah Burger King Ricky might be the owner of a Burger King here shortly um we'll just leave it at that but yeah he said he was like this the game should have been like 10 nothing like that that Marl team was just not good and but hey a win's a win they'll take it we'll take it um and hopefully they can keep it moving forward this this weekend obviously Seth Johnson coming up yeah on Sunday and wheels and then big Ser against ra big series Tampa coming to town I know the Rays aren't what they used to be but that's still just another Series where it's like don't take your foot off the gas here right just because you know it in my opinion it's one of those series that you go in there and you take two or three sweep them keep moving forward and kind of rock from there yeah um yeah because then well I will be off the weekend after that got the Mets and then Brewers and then the next tough day stretch there where a lot can be decided both in terms of the division and exactly exactly so it's a good stretch up yeah stacking these winds up in Florida this weekend that's right exactly and kind of a wild trip going from north of the Border all the way to the southern point of the United States but um they've done it before with all their travel and stuff so hey big uh obviously we'll be watching something but obviously we have be if we didn't Eagles week one prediction talk about the Eagles tonight what are your predictions I Maries they playing tonight I think Brazil Brazil Brazil That's Right Eagles are playing Brazil yeah that's a tough game for them to start with um the Packers I feel like of the end last Philly on the up as the season ended into the playoffs um beat the Cowboys nearly beat the 49ers whereas the Eagles obviously were 10 and one and then so it'll be interesting to see how these two teams regrouped in the offseason you know two good young quarterbacks a lot of Talent on the team on on the field um I think Eagles have their workout out for him tonight I would not surprise me if they come back 0 and one but uh gonna need Jaylen Step Up see how the the offense looks under Kell Moore the defense looks under Vic B I could go for hour I'll stop now but I'm looking forward to fence week one uh birds are back you never know what you're gonna get on Philly not gonna lie please still watch Philly pregame or Eagles prame last yes but that's that's all the information you need right here getting you set for a big week one match up and I know our guy Alex RNE he uh if they don't win tonight um I'm worried about him um well he'll be okay he thinks our Eagles pre our Eagles visual producer um has confirmed that they're gonna win every single game this week this year so wow so if they lose tonight um I'm worried about him but other than that hey like you said you and I and hopefully SP we're locked in who needs football tonight exactly exactly and it's kind of a shame we're not getting Jesus lazardo this weekend but yeah Phil and the philes have great numbers against Carrera um so we'll we'll see but without wrapping up we'll hopefully talk to you guys on Sunday after hopefully a four game sweep um of the Marlins if you listen last last time I said I wasn't going to shave the beard I told my girlfriend I wasn't going to shave it until they give it 10 games so we it doesn't look great um 10 game Le 10 game lead yeah oh yeah yeah so we we're coming up on yeah no yeah yeah 10 game lead division two games yeah all right and the Braves got you know are they still playing the Rockies no they're Toronto now Toronto this weekend I believe so big Jay's fans here the next two days so I can shave so um yeah so Sean coer for your Eagles coverage yes and your pH coverage and yeah make sure you tune in to Eagles PR PR post game live and as well don't forget please please watch those GRE post game live always a good show so Sean K we'll talk to you guys next week