Are the D-backs CHOKING AWAY the NL Wild Card? Postseason Hopes SLIPPING After Royals Loss

0:00Are the Arizona Diamondbacks choking away the National League wildcard spot? There are reasons to have hope, especially with the schedule ahead. Plus, it's throwback Thursday and we are celebrating the goat himself, Randy Johnson. Don't you go anywhere we are starting right now. MUSIC Steve and welcome into another edition of the PH and X Diamondbacks podcast. Love from Studio K presented by our friends at Circle K. It is your mayor of the H and X K, who is known as Derek Monti. Happy Thursday to you all welcome into another edition of the PH and X show proudly presented by our friends at Game Time. Make me go down with that game time. Have right now, of course, create an account, use our code of PH and X and you get $20 off your first purchase. Turns to a plan. Yeah, very aesthetically pleasing.

1:01Hopefully get your tickets to watch some of these last 15 baseball games of the season that the Diamondbacks have ahead of them. My name is Derek Monti as I said before, occasionally known as your mayor. We got Damon Dog, aka Damon Farrell on the ones and twos today. Glad to have him back because I felt like I had faux rage last night. I was upset, but I just couldn't muster up the energy that Damon normally brings in regards to how angry we should have been about losing not only last night's game, but losing our playoff spot to the Padres. Yeah, I could feel you trying to channel your inner Damon last night, Derek. I tried. I just couldn't get it. I just couldn't get it up there. I mean, I know again, it's not everyone is important. Every loss is important, but it was hard to really be that mad considering what the Debacks did the prior two games and considering they won the series, you know, it's hard to imagine them, you know, sweeping anybody considering they only have four sweeps this entire season, but which is baffling.

2:04It's baffling. Actually, you know, it's wild to looking at the sweeps across baseball. I figured the Diamondbacks had to be at the bottom as far as four sweeps were concerned. There are multiple teams that only have four sweeps this season. And then there are a lot of teams that have three and two and even one sweep this year. And it's the usual candidates that you would expect the angels, the, you know, all the bad teams across baseball. I think that's Ronald Bluejays only have three sweeps this year. So yeah, it's a lot of the teams that aren't in the postseason, which the Diamondbacks currently aren't that heard to say that heard my liver. I think just now to her say that they fell a half a game last night behind this Andy Ego Padres after losing the finale to the Royals five to two. And again, they just went one for nine with runners in scoring position. And that makes me that that's probably the angriest that I was going to get at this team last night, one for nine with runners in scoring positions inexcusable, hitting into that double play to end the game was inexcusable, wasting so many

3:06opportunities with runners in scoring position with less than two outs, also inexcusable. They only scored two runs last night. And that is something we've seen far too often lately over the past two weeks. And the offense just continues to feel like the biggest concern at the worst possible time. I don't know if that's something new either. I mean, the starting pitching is starting to become whole again, right? Like it felt the like in this game, the additions of Michael Soroka and Zach Gallon were the final infinity stones or at least one of the two infinity stones in a cute little pebble that looks like the infinity stones. But it did feel like this team was finally complete and finally at full strength. And unfortunately, I mean, there's still not there on the offensive side. And there's not a lot of pieces missing. Corbin Carroll right now being the only guy that's not in the lineup. So it continues to be a bit baffling, you know, as to how this team is struggling. Gabriel Moreno was not in the lineup. He did come in as a pinch hitter like in that game.

4:07But that is perhaps part of it. I mean, Moreno has been one of the diamond backs, you know, most consistent best hitters all season long without him out there. And you know, you are going to see perhaps the offense struggle. Maybe this is the last off day for Gabby between now and the final stretch with 15 games left in the season. And I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of him and James McCann both in the lineup considering that's that's like our number one and number two hitter right now. But the Padres are certainly the team applying the pressure though, aren't they? They definitely reverse the figure for leg lock by turning things over. And now the question remains are the diamond backs good enough to make the playoffs? Or are they simply the best of a mediocre wildcard pack? Right. I mean, that that's a whole other question. And I think that we will all be thankful if this team makes the offs, right? If they make the postseason, that is a win. And it is hard to complain about what happens after that point.

5:11Yes, I'm sure if they have a bad showing in the wildcard round, we'll have plenty to complain about. But again, with the way that this season has gone, with the way injuries have gone for this team, with how poorly this offense has performed all season long, it's, it's going to, it's going to be a small miracle if the diamond backs make it into the, the postseason. And the Padres are coming. They just swept Washington and they're playing their best baseball at exactly the wrong time as far as we're concerned. They do have, you know, a big series against the San Francisco giants who are also playing their best baseball of the season. They've just been a bad baseball team all season long. Padres have been mediocre, but they've underperformed all year long, especially when you talk about their offense as well. Both the debacks and the Padres are vastly underperforming, but you could argue that the Padres are underperforming much more than the diamond backs are with Fernando Tatees and Machado and Bogarts and all of the names that they have over

6:12there, all those superstars that they have in that lineup. But that, meanwhile, the Diamondbacks offense is becoming a legitimate problem. They couldn't cash in last night despite all of those opportunities. And I mean, I don't know. I think that again, we have seen this team over this last stretch. Just when we were in Las Vegas, put up 10 runs against the San Francisco Giants. And they needed to because that was a 10, 6 win. But it's, it's hard to wonder if this is a slump or if this, you know, inconsistent performance, which has lasted all season long is just who this offense is this year. I think we've continued to wait for this offense to wake up, Damon. And it just never has happened. It's never happened. At the very least, you could say like there were times where we were waiting for the starting pitching to get going. And then they did. And the starting pitching staff, even without the pieces that they were missing had stretches where they were incredible, you know, incredible. Remember how good they were back in? What was it? April or May when they had that stretch of, yeah, just to start the season.

7:15Yeah, it was amazing, you know. And again, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's taken, you know, obviously the injuries have impacted it quite a bit. That gallons poor performance as well as Merrill Kelly underperforming both have kind of impacted things, but you've even seen those guys, even that gallon have some good starts this year. And Merrill Kelly at times has felt like, you know, you can see him getting back on track and being the consistent mainstay that we know him to be, right? The bullpen has overperformed all season long. The bullpen has been a pleasant surprise and that has been a consistency throughout this year. But the main problem right now is the offense and how many games this team has lost this season where the opposition has scored three runs or less. You know, the pitching reinforcements are here. Finally, like I said, that minestone being added to Thanos's, you know, Infinity Gauntlet is here, but is it too late? There's only 15 games left in the season.

8:16Can they actually save this team from missing the playoffs once again for the third year in a row? I mean, Burns looked excellent in his return and now gallon and Sriroka have returned and means Sriroka looked incredible outside of that first inning of him coming in. And mind you, Sriroka's a starter. So asking him to come out of the pen is already a weird, you know, part of his process. Pictures baseball players, their creatures of habit. So it's hard to get out of the pen before though. Torrey said that's part of why he brought him out of the pen. Oh, yeah. No, no, no. I'm not saying that it's in, it's not something that he could do. He obviously wasn't opposed to it. And if that was the case, they could have swapped him and gallon or whatever the case. I think that Sriroka right now is more valuable. So if I was managing this team, I would let Sriroka have a first choice. That's what he wanted to do in that piggyback situation, right? But Sriroka is Canadian and he's just the nicest guy. He's going to go along with whatever you ask him to do. But also isn't that exactly what people hate Torrey for? Like, defiling too much to the players. I mean, I'm not.

9:16I'm just talking about in the case of Sriroka because of his value over his at gallon. I'm not really giving that as that gallon. Like much of a say in that particular. I don't think Torrey gave that gallon a say in that situation. I think he chose Sriroka to come out of relief because he had experience coming out of relief. Sure. And it didn't work out at all. That past was it didn't work out, right? But again, as far as the bright side of Sriroka's outing, he was really, really good after giving up that home run to Bobbywood, Jr. You know, and, you know, after he lost the game for us, he was awesome. I'm not saying that that's like again, the main point here. He just returned from injury. I mean, the main point is that him and gallon both got in there and through as many pitches as they did, including Sriroka going to the bullpen after the outing, right? But I'm definitely more encouraged by what Sriroka did, honestly, after giving up that home run, then I was about that gallon only using his fastball, like 13% of his outing, if that's fair to say.

10:16And his fastball even hit 94.1 miles per hour, Damon. So it's not even like his fastball wasn't the velocity wasn't there. But the command I'm guessing definitely wasn't. I'm guessing he did not have the feel for that pitch, which obviously has been a big problem. His entire season, but he stayed as far away from his fastball after the first inning as he could. So in regards to those two pitchers, I'm definitely more encouraged by Sriroka, even though he had the worst line. And like you said, he lost the game for this team. There's no other way to say I'll just say that, you know, again, Sriroka is not a reliever. He doesn't come out of the pen. He hasn't come out of the pen in the season. So I'm going to forgive him for having a shaky, you know, inning. It sucks that we lost the game though. And it sucks that that lost the game for us. Also, what lost the game is the offense only scoring two runs. And wasting so many opportunities. But the gallon, Sriroka unconventional piggyback situation. I mean, the big question is if that is going to continue for another outing and perhaps beyond that. I mean, I don't imagine it going past the regular season,

11:18but they could do this for the rest of the year. I mean, both guys will be stretched out after the next outing, enough for both of them to be starters once again. And then other decisions have to be made. But we also do have the return of Ryan Nelson that is on the horizon and is going to factor in here. But we have the Padre series looming huge. As somebody said, Grootenberg said in the chat, it's really going to come down to the final series, isn't it? Yep. And I feel like we've been saying that all year long. I feel like from the time the schedule dropped, we were like, are you kidding us? You're playing the Padres again in the final series of the year? Neat. Neat. And Michael Roekiki, aka evil Michael, he says, can we talk about how Bert will the wit, wit, home run into existence? He tends to do that. I don't know if he's trying to like frame it poetically from an announce perspective, but you do feel like he tends

12:23to almost root for those things at times. Also, fun fact, I learned today of a story where someone who used to have a fake Steve Berthium account approved a fan coming up to the broadcast booth to meet Steve Berthium. And that fan, I think it was an away game, made it all the way to the broadcast booth at the same time that Todd Walsh was in there during the game. This was a Colorado Rockies game. And apparently there was a lot of confusion on how that man and his family made it all the way to the booth to meet Steve Berthium, who is not on Twitter. And that's something hilarious. The person that used to run that account told that story on Reddit and I was delighted by it. But again, yes, the series with the Padres is huge. It's a playoff series. There's no other way to look at it as far as, you know, where we are at and how things are lining up unless some sort of something wonderful happens

13:24where the Padres lose a lot of games. Then, you know, that series is going to decide who makes it in. Right? And both teams, their schedules are something. I mean, the Diamondbacks, it's kind of no surprise right now that the Diamondbacks have kind of dropped back at this particular time because, you know, they have a little bit more difficult of a schedule than the Padres. It's like when the Padres were playing the Yankees and the Diamondbacks had a little bit easier of a stretch. This is going to go back and forth as we come down to the final, you know, games of the series of season. But for now, they have a three game series that starts tomorrow with the Texas Rangers, followed by a three game series against the Marlins that Damon and I... That might be the true time of death. I know we've done like seven time of death. We are zzery worried about that Marlins series. Couldn't be more worried about that. Something about the Marlins, man, they own us. I don't get it. I mean, at least based on the laws of recessing to the means,

14:27right, or regressing to the means, maybe perhaps we get those wins back now at a very important time against the Marlins team that's kind of dominated us all year long. And then we have three games of the Yankees. I mean, this is tough. This is a tough schedule. Beyond that, we have three games with the Colorado Rockies who are no pushover, even 100 good men doesn't work, right? Doesn't properly operate. This controller got disconnected on a throw by Jake McCarthy to home base the other day. But we struggle with those guys. They're like I said, there's no automatic dub. And then we end the season against the Padres. The Padres, they do have a little bit easier of a stretch right now, but they do have games against the Giants who, like I said, the Giants have been are currently playing their best baseball. And even though they have been a lousy team this year, you know that they would love to mess up the Padres season. This is something Damon and I discuss the other day.

15:28Not trying to help the Diamondbacks out. Let's not get that confused. They're not doing it for us. They're doing it for themselves because they hate the Padres so damn much. And the Dodgers, they hate both of those teams. So I feel like they would do that. Then the Padres also have a three game series against the Rockies and a three game series against the Marlins who let's hope the Marlins take care of business in that series. And then after that, they have a three game series with the Dodgers, which is pretty much the most daunting task ahead of them in the same way that the Yankee series is the most daunting task ahead of the Diamondbacks. I mean, those are kind of a push for both teams. How difficult those series are going to be. You have both teams playing, you know, the Marlins in there. You have both teams playing the Rockies in there. And outside of that, it's the Diamondbacks taking on the Rangers. And the Padres taking on the Giants. San Francisco, you are our only hope, basically. So I don't know what I need to, I'll send you whatever you, whatever however money, human monies you want.

16:29I will send to you in order for you guys to get the job done. But the Diamondbacks playoff odds have been something this year, Damon. If we could take a look at that chart courtesy of fan graphs, you'll see where we stand, which isn't great. They currently have a 46.2% chance of making the post season. But as you can see here, there have been times, even recently where those odds were much lower. And yeah, this is a whole, this is a whole thing right here, Damon. Meanwhile, I mean, it sucks how much one result can change everything. It's crazy, right? Did you see how much they dropped? And it's, yeah, well, we got like 57% before that game or something, just based off of kind of eyeballing this graph, unreal. Yeah, what happened? We lost in the pot raise one. That's what happened one game, one single stupid baseball game. There's 162 of these things. Ernesto and the Chatsys Jake McCarthy save us.

17:29Maybe he'll be the sleeper agent that we need to get the job done. But this has been a wild season. That would be massive. And I mean, again, the Diamondbacks look at one point, drop down to as low as I believe 18, 17% chance of making the playoffs at one, you know, so credit to them for fighting back after having a rough month of June, where things just sunk like a rock. And that day right there where they, they're odd skyrocketed from one day to the next is, you know, the sweep of the Dodgers and then everything they did from July 9th beyond that. Is it over? Are we back with this entire graph? The whole season has looked like that, Derek, as you pointed out. Yeah, like I see, I see, I see a lot of its overs and so many were backs in here. Very many ebbs and flows. Meanwhile, the Dodgers is just a straight line of 100% all the way across the

18:33crowd. It's the funniest thing you can imagine. That's not funny to me. It's hilarious. Me and you have better have different senses. Yeah, I'm or clearly. Yeah, because I think what's happening to Otani is hilarious. And you don't because he's on your fantasy baseball team. Come on, man. See, that's where we're at. But the good news is, is that semi-final, semi-final right now, Derek, not having a team of fantasy baseball team is probably why his season has been the way it has been. I've ruined Otani. Yeah, you're welcome, guys. I've ruined Otani. What do you want me to say? I did my job. You want? Yeah, I did my job. That was the assignment from the beginning and you understood the assignment and got the job done. All right. Well, we're going to take a quick break on the other side of this break. We have more to discuss, including what is going on right now with our injury port that has become shockingly small. Can you believe it? I can't. I couldn't even believe it looking at it. We're going to talk about it on the other side of this break.

19:34Don't you go anywhere you're watching the pH and X diamond back show. Well, the weight is over. Football is here. It was here last night and it was great to watch, shout out to everything, all of the excitement that we had last night watching baseball and football at the same time. It felt great. And of course, since football is here, draft Kings is on. And this September, draft Kings is giving all customers the opportunity to get boosted every single game day. You heard me. That's right. All customers, every game day, all month long, draft King customers can get a profit boost. Plus, you can get extra protection with early exit, which might have been very important in game one of the NFL season. Opt in. And if your player leaves the game with an eligible injury in the first half, your bet is protected. New draft King customers can sign up right now with code pH and X spend just $5 and get $200 in rewards within 21 days. That's code pH and X in partnership with draft Kings.

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22:42And it was shockingly small. We have looked at this injury list all season long and it has read like a CVS receipt. But instead it is down at least as far as the players who are returning this season to just Corbin Carroll and Ryan Nelson. And again, let's take a look here at where those guys stand. Corbin Carroll still on day to day, not actually on the I L. But could be if this lower back discomfort continues, that is something that's kept him out of a few games so far. And according to the latest report, he was going to get a undergo imaging when the team returns home. So that imaging is most likely taking place today or has taken place already or will take place tomorrow. We'll see, but it seems like there's a good chance that Corbin Carroll may not be in the lineup for Fridays, game one against the Texas Rangers, though that has not been decided.

23:45Should he miss any more time? There's a good chance that they could add them to the 10 day I L and make make it retroactive to September 8th when he was a late scratch from the lineup against the Royals. Meanwhile, Ryan Nelson, he is doing well. Ryan Nelson, this time to a right flexor strain right UCL sprain. And he just pitched the other day on September 8th, one inning for the triple A Reno aces and looked incredible doing so. He threw 11 pitches with his velocity hitting 96 miles per hour, Damon. Is that good? Is that good in a return? Sounds pretty good. And he got two strikeouts in that inning of work with no hits, no runs, no blocks, no nothing. He may have one more outing before rejoining the team at a minor league level, but according to reports, he is possibly going to join the diamond backs during this homestand that starts tomorrow. So we could have Ryan Nelson back.

24:45And honestly, with the way he pitched, I definitely would love to see his arm in the bullpen. What other moves are made, what things are adjusted due to that would still remain to be seen. But again, Nelly could be a huge weapon for this team coming down the stretch out of the pen. And again, that's it. Unbelievable enough. That is the only two players that are still set to return this season on the injured list outside of that. You got Ryan Thompson, who isn't due back until next year, AJ Puck, who isn't due back next year. Christiane Manau, who is still it's up in the airs to win his throwing program or when any of his rehabilitation is going to start. And then Andrew Saul Frank, who went underwent surgery on his left shoulder to remove a bone spur. He is also out until next season. So we just have those two guys coming back. And again, this is why it's, you know, it would be great if Corbin came back and was at 100%. I know a lot of people suspected Corbin not being healthy. I don't know how long this low back discomfort has lasted for or has been there for.

25:50I know that we probably see a few swings where Corbin's kind of grimaced during the slump that he's in, which caused some concern. You know, so again, maybe this time off that he's taking is long overdue when he comes back. If he can come back and be, you know, the Corbin Carroll that this team needs, you know, he could, he could have a huge impact on the offense. He could definitely have a huge impact on the offense. Meanwhile, like I said, Nelly could have a similar impact on the bullpen with his, with the addition of him. Nelly can, he continued to get stretched out. Perhaps give them two innings plus down the stretch that they will need. He could prevent the need for a piggyback game again with Soroka and Gallon. The diebacks have made so many transactions over the last week. It's been insane dating back to September 4th. The diamondbacks have made 12 transactions starting on September 4th. When Tommy Troy was reinstated from the 10 day I L and Jorge Barossa was designated for assignment.

26:54Two days later, they recalled Adrian Del Castillo from AAA Reno and they designated Max Kepler for assignment. Two days later after that, they reinstated Corbin Burns from the 60 day I L and called up Kate Stroud from Reno. They optioned Herardo Cadeo and Jose Cabrera down to the aces. And then one day later, they optioned Walston and Stroud back to AAA and called up Michael Soroka and Zach Gallon. What are your feelings, Damon, overall on, you know, this roster essentially now being at 100%. I feel like we're still in a similar position where you almost wish there was more players that were position players on that I L that were returning that could help this offense get kick started. Then just Corbin Carol and not to say Corbin isn't a huge addition to come back, but that's with the caveat that he is, you know, is is swinging the bat better and able to help this offense.

27:56Yeah, I mean Corbin Carol need him back yesterday. Yeah, need him back immediately. Yeah, him and Gabby not being in the lineup definitely felt like we lacked the power of friendship for sure, let alone about a 300 and 240 batting average. Yeah, definitely. When you looked at that lineup yesterday, Derek, and I obviously was not working, but I did in fact watch some of the game, at least, you know, before it was delayed. And I wanted nothing to do with it anymore as many people I'm sure did. Oh, it was the delay was gross. Make me wait an hour for a game to start and then also for it to be that game. Just when you looked at that line of yesterday and you saw no gab in no Corbin, you're like, man, we lack a lot of firepower. Yeah. That's not a team that looks like a playoff team when you start removing some of our star players. We had the same conversation when Katoel was not in the lineup. This team, frankly, with how bad the offense has been needs each and every one of its starters to be in the lineup playing ball and playing decent or else we're really going to struggle on offense.

29:06And every time that you know, you see Corbin, Carol, I mean, he's been on the downturn for months now, but could tell Marta, obviously hasn't had his best season. Jerry hasn't had his best season. It's just been it's kind of been a disaster on. Oh, it really has. It really has. And I see Flea ball's comment, which makes a great point. And this is a good question, I guess, to discuss. Says, I feel great about this roster. There's just not enough time in the calendar. Would you feel better if there was more time versus there being no, because I think that this, I feel like it's being so close in this small amount of time left. I think it's inevitable that the Padres are just going to be within a game of us. No matter you could make the season 18 more years from now on the podcast, we'll have the exact same amount of wins going into the final game of whatever 18 years season we're talking about. So yeah, I mean, I just, it feels so inevitable that the Padres and the Diamondbacks are just bound to this final series of the season is bounded decide who goes to the postseason or not.

30:10You just want to have a leg up before you get there so that you can give yourself a little bit of slack. You don't have to sweep the Padres to make the playoffs. That's it. Yeah. Yeah, you, you want it here, right? Like you want to come into that series at the worst half a game back or it will be needing two to one. Yeah. Like, like maybe one game back at the most, you can't go in needing to sweep the entire series. Be a tall task. I think, you know, two, one, it's not easy, especially on the road. Yeah. But you can convince yourself, we can, we can win one more game than them in this series. 100% we can win the series. We can go win the series to one. But a team that's only got four sweeps this year. You're expecting them to go into the most important. This evening, this evening, sweep in anybody in the final season series of the season. We have the pitching for it. We have the pitching for it. But kind of so to the Padres too, they're getting pieces back that they've been missing all long, all year long. And it's, you know, again, it's, it's, it's, it's amazing how these two teams are like destined to do this forever.

31:11Feels like we are destined to be lockstep with each other. And this, it sucks that it comes down to this series, but it makes it exciting. Let's just hope it still comes down to that series. Yeah, that would be it. If you're out of it before then, it's a disaster. Yeah, for sure. I would find that hard to believe again. I think that there is a world where you need a sweep going into that series. And that probably is a nail in the coffin as well. Obviously, wouldn't count you out completely. But again, this, this team just can't, they can't complete the S-words. They have four all season is insane for a team that's fighting for a playoff spot. I probably shouldn't be saying the S-word is often as an AM right now. I probably ruined it when we were at our dinner, Derek. And I looked over at you and I said, you know, it'd be nice if we got a sweep. We never get sweet. Yeah. And he did. He did. We cheers our little old-fashioned and had a good laugh like we were like, this is so funny. So, guards up. Ernesto says pray for a Cubs collapse.

32:12I mean, honestly, that's something that we're not talking about nearly enough because the Cubs are the special. And while we're sitting here fighting to the nail with the Padres, it would kind of be hilarious to just see both teams find their way into the playoffs. PCA MVP while his team sits at home while he's on the couch watching the coach season. I mean, is it that out of the question for the Cubs? I mean, as it stands right now, right? They're two and a half games up on the Padres, I believe. Let me actually do my job and we'll look at this instead of just actually being like, well, I think they're that. But like the Cubs, I think they do that was that was their last series against the the Brewers. I knew it was going to be bad when they faced the Brewers. I just knew it. They were talking all sorts of tough and they were going to go in and win the division and all this other things with that many games left against the Brewers and they did not. They did not do any of those things. And you know, it's it's not out of the question for them to slip out of this.

33:14I mean, it's still not very likely, but you never know. You truly there's enough games left for sure. Roll a Fati says Derek now say the Phillies are going to win it all to reverse the curse. Yeah, Phillies they're in. They're in. In fact, Phillies might not just take this. They're four games back from their division. Maybe they beat the Braves for the NL East. Phillies World Series champs this year. They're probably going to get the job done. I think the Phillies deserve a buy. Like I think that Rob Manfred should step in and say, this is a team. Let's look at their first month record. This is a team that if you subtract the first month would be in one of those spots for a buy. And so they deserve it. They deserve to go down to the second round of the post season without having to play anybody and congrats to the Phillies. All right. Let me be the first to congratulate the Phillies on winning the NL pen it. Can I be the first to congratulate them? Please do. Congratulations, Philadelphia. That's huge. You guys got a shot at the World Series. Yeah. Clap it up. And I'm going to do what Roll a Fati said.

34:15I'm going to say the Phillies are going to finish the season so well and quite frankly, I wish them well. Well, I'll wear like my little Benjamin Franklin, Roosevelt shirt next time I get a chance to do so. Anyway, Cubs, maybe, maybe, maybe Phillies too. Who knows? Guys, Michael, evil Michael, the Phillies just lost. They did they did on purpose. You don't you guys don't realize the this is the Phillies are playing chess while all the rest of big major league baseball is playing checkers. Yeah, it's all part of their it's all part of their game plan. But we're going to take the Phillies. We're going to take a quick break on the other side of this break. You know what day it is and you know we're going to do around here. Don't you go anywhere. You are watching the pH and next time in the back show on a Thursday. Well, shout out to the husband and wife law team, of course, for always taking care of our injury report. And of course, if you are ever involved in an accident or serious injury, you could should contact the husband and wife law team first. Mark and Alexis Breyer are the husband and wife law team. And their team brings hundreds of years of combined trial experience along with multiple,

35:15certified specialists in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. Their practice is 100% dedicated to injury and wrongful death. Experienced and specialized, they are equipped with the expertise to handle every aspect of your case. And of course, nobody can guarantee the outcome of any case, but they can make promises to you as their client, including that you can cancel your fee agreement with them at any time for any reason. That you may speak with one of their lawyers as often as you choose about anything you want to discuss, including Corbin Carroll's return and how it's going to impact the offense. And you have the right to trust that as your lawyers, they will tell you both the strengths and weaknesses of your claim so you can make informed decisions. If you've had a serious injury call the husband and wife law team first at 602, 7-838841, or visit their website at the link in our show notes, and tell them the mayor of pH and X-section. And all right, guys, if you are looking for the ultimate spot to watch the games, all the games, football games, baseball games, everything that's come in the place of you, bats, grabs some drinks, make an entire day out of it, you got to check out Heel of River Resorts and Casinos. This is Arizona's number one casino destination, and they know how to do sports right.

36:18Every Beth MGM sportsbook is built for fans with wall-to-wall TVs, some delicious food, flexible ways to make your bet, and the best game-day atmosphere that you can find. So whether you're sweating out of same game, Parley, or cheering on your favorite squad, this is the place to be. Grab your crew, celebrate your big wins, make sure you bring your fantasy football opponent with you, and enjoy everything Heel of River Resorts and Casinos has to offer. Heel of River Resorts and Casinos, all the ways you do you, visit playatheela.com for more details. And Damon, you know what day it is. You know what we do around here. So let's, if we could, let's brighten up these colors and make things look a little bit more festive in honor of not only throwback Thursday, but in honor of the goat Randy Johnson's birthday. That is right. Randy Johnson, happy birthday to you, and it's amazing how much history on this day. Randy Johnson has set, considering this man was supposed to be washed,

37:19washed when he joined the Diamondbacks, which is still a hilarious thing to look back on and think about, considering everything we've seen him do as a member of this team. But it is his 63rd birthday today, and in honor of that, we're talking about all the stuff he did this week or on his birthday in history. On September 10, 2000, Randy Johnson records the 3,000th strikeout of his career. And it was against Miami, Marlins, Slash, Florida, Marlins. I don't even know what they were at the time. I think Florida, Marlins at the time. So that's got to be, that's got to be a good sign, right? That's, it's the Marlins, and we're playing the Marlins soon. I don't know. I'm just trying to look for positives here. And there's always positives when we look back on these days in Diamondback's history that involved Randy Johnson. It's amazing how peppered he is through our history and just what an incredible player he was. On, that was on his birthday. This man recorded his 3,000th strikeout on his birthday at Miami.

38:24That was in 2000. So what a guy. What a guy. September 9, 2002, he recorded an MLB record, fifth straight 300 plus strikeout season. He also tied Nolan Ryan for the most 300 plus strikeout seasons in a career with six. September 14, 2003, Randy Johnson tossed a one hitter against the Rockies. And on September 10, 2004, Randy Johnson earned his 100th win as an Arizona Diamondback on his 41st birthday. It was a two to one victory over the San Francisco Giants. Just shoving at 41 years old, beating the Giants by five score of two to one. Incredible. What a guy. And it was hilarious that even at that point, that was a bismill season. Still not getting any run support. Still not getting any run support. A couple of other things happened on this day or this week in Diamondback's history.

39:25On September 9, 2018, Paul Goldschmidt recorded his 650 first walk in the third inning versus the Atlanta Braves, surpassing Luis Gonzalez for the most in team history. It was fun to watch Paul Goldschmidt from like 15 through 18 get walked a lot. Nobody wanted any of that smoke. Nobody wanted Paul Goldschmidt to be blasting home runs off of them. And that's exactly what he was doing consistently in those days. So also, it still hurts to see Goldschmidt. He's going to be on the Yankees, right? When they come here to town and we're going to have to see Paul Goldschmidt against us at Jase Field right before the season ends. That's going to make us regret going after Carlos Santana, isn't it? Maybe? I don't know. I'm just trying to open old wounds between me and Damon right now. Let's see. I mean, what's there even to talk about?

40:25Carlos Santana was the worst player in baseball for the two weeks he was on the team. The first base position has been a disaster this year. And it has been since the offseason when you were saying it was going to be a disaster along with the DH. And the most obvious disaster ever, we have no power hitters on a damn team. That being said, though, I'm going to continue to stay steadfast in my position that I think Paul Goldschmidt hates us. I think he wants nothing to do with us. And when you hear things like the Diamondbacks and Paul Goldschmidt never even had any talks this offseason, I don't think that that's because the Diamondbacks were not interested in Paul Goldschmidt this offseason. Yeah. I think it's because Paul Goldschmidt was not interested in the Diamondbacks. Very fair. Which goes along with why he wanted to be traded out of this organization as well. It sucks because he's such a franchise legend and he should probably have his jersey retired. But it just I don't feel the love from Paulie. I don't know if he wanted to be traded, but I do know that my case and has confessed that

41:25that is the worst mistake he's made as a GM in his history. Derek, I think that the proof is in the pudding. He wanted to be traded. He took less money from the St. Louis Cardinals than he was asking for the Diamondbacks in an extension. No, no, in all honesty, that was that at the time the amount that he paid was supposedly too rich for the Diamondbacks blood. But I'm with you on that. I mean, I think most of us... I'm sorry, I'm confused. What was what were you saying? The extension that Cardinals gave him apparently was at the time, allegedly, more than the Diamondbacks would have been able to give him. I'm not disagreeing with that whatsoever. I don't think that the two things that we said there are mutually exclusive of one another. Sure. Sure. I think that he asked the Diamondbacks for a bigger number than he accepted from the Cardinals. That's correct. Because he wanted to be not on the Diamondbacks. Right. So they might have been closer with the number he signed for or the extension with the Cardinals. Correct. Yeah. Not that far off and still too rich for the Diamondbacks blood as far as they were concerned. The Carlos Santana Purple Glove statue outside of Chase though. I mean, that...

42:26You can't take that down. Though, that's forever. The statue is forever. It should be in a case that people can like take pictures with like the... Like the World Series trophy. The World Series trophy. Yeah. In the lobby right there, Derek, by right next to the World Series trophy. But we can't happen now. We need that Purple Glove. And I've noted nobody's wearing it. So I mean, does Carlos really need it? Right now, what is he doing with it? I'm telling you, man. What is he doing with it? That's a fair question. What is he doing with it right now? That's a good question. Roll a faulty. Which one? Also, out of the Mariners have an RJ statue before us. Because the Mariners just make statues all willy and ili. We don't make enough statues. If we had statues that were made more timely, there would be a Jose Fernandez statue outside of the... That's a statue's wheel. And there would be a statue of hashtag in the meeting with the pitching staff outside of Chaseville.

43:27That's true. Tori taking a knee and four dudes around him. That's damn true. We'd have lost statues. On September 9, 2021, I found this be very interesting, Damien. Because I didn't know this. But Chaseville became the first MLB stadium where sports fans could place an in-person bet... At a betting... Kiosk. Kiosk, if you will. Yeah. It was actually the windows out front by the ticketing windows. So... I knew that that was a thing, but I felt like that was just being coming common at the time. I had no idea that Chaseville was the first to do that. So just found that to be interesting. But last but not least, on September 12, 2022, Zach Galen established a franchise record with a 44-point... Or 44-in-a-third inning scoreless streak from August 8th through September 12th, surpassing Brandon Webb's previous mark of 42 innings in 2007. His streak was the third longest in baseball since 1988 behind Oral Hirschizer

44:29and Zach Grinke, both of who did it for the Dodgers. Man. How good would it be to have that, Zach Galen? Right now. Zach Galen, who in that point was, I believe, named the National League picture of the month for August. I want to say, is it what it was? Incredible. Incredible. And it's amazing how fast, you know, he has become a guy that you honestly can't rely on. So it's unfortunate. It sucks for Zach, and I wish this wasn't the case. I think we all do. I think we all wish that Zach Galen, you know, was still... Was it stuck? Was still this guy, you know, definitely. I mean, he probably wouldn't be on this team anymore. You stole it out of my mouth, David. I was like, you probably wouldn't be here on this one year deal this year. That wouldn't have hurt us, and we would have had 20 million more dollars to play with. So it would have been good for everybody. In other words, if he continued to maybe be good at pitching. I'm okay with living in the like the sacred timeline that I live in, right?

45:35But I wish I could just get a peek at these other timelines, Damon. True. I just want to... The multiverse. Just let me look in the multiverse and see what the, you know, Zach Galen shoved through the rest of his career. Diamondbacks look like right now. The multiverse where Major League Baseball doesn't allow the Dodgers to get a fraudulent media right steel that allows them to spend at twice the power of every other team in their division. Oh, Shohei is in prison in this timeline. Oh my god. The Diamondbacks have five world series, champion chips. Yeah. Insane. We're a dynasty. Not that long ago, we were voted one of the best franchises, not just in baseball, but in all of sports. That's crazy. All right, moving on. We're going to take a quick break. And on the other side of this break, we're going to talk about the future of this team. And take a look at some of the prospects down on Snake Farm. Don't you guys go anywhere. You are watching the pH and next Diamondbacks show. We'll shout out to Game Time, of course, for always giving fans the advantage

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47:39So once again, when you get to check out, there are no surprises at all. Take the guesswork out of buying MLB tickets with Game Time today. Download the Game Time app, Create an Account, and use code pHNX for $20 off your first purchase. Turns to apply, again, Create an Account and Redeem Code pHNX for $20 off. Download the Game Time app today. Damon, what time is it? Game time? It is Game Time. You are right. And Kim Cavalero is here for you if you are looking to buy or sell a home. And there are plenty of amazing real estate agents here in Arizona. But one is at the top and that is Kim. Previously, Kim Cavalero has been working in the Arizona business realm for over 25 years. And now she is helping Arizona families with both buying and selling. With a network of investors, builders, and developers, she'll give you insider insight on property potential, helping you see opportunities that others may miss. When you work with Kim, your interests are always her top priority. You'll never get passed off to another agent. And I know sometimes when you are looking to work with the person whose name is on the business, that can be frustrating. But Kim will help you out and she will be with you every step of the way.

48:43She has proven strategies to help both buyers and sellers secure the best possible terms. And right now, if you are an Arizona Cardinals fan, she's got a deal for you. You buy or sell a home with Kim Cavalero. You will score big now through January 10th when you buy or sell any home with Kim. You'll receive two lower-level tickets to Arizona Cardinals home game of your choice, plus a $100 gift card of your choice, and a PHNX die-hard membership. I might buy a house just to get that. You know, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me. So call Kim today at 480-489-5012. That's 480-489-5012, and tell her PHNX sent you. Oh, Damon, there's a lot going on. And you know, I got a... Caesar talking about putting Carlos Santana's glove, and where is it in the hall? I missed that. The comment went away on the side, but in the rafters. Is number in the rafters? I think it should just be a picture of the purple glove.

49:46You know, the way that the Seahawks unveiled that banner that I see on social media, that's actually just a funny meme, but we'll move on from that. Diamondbacks, of course, don't have a lot of pitching prospects. Right now, it should be a Reno that we really want to discuss. But I did find one, a left-handed starting pitcher who's been having himself a good season with the Aces, at least in a very short stint. But let's take a look once again at our prospects down on Snake Farm. One guy who I feel like we really haven't talked about, and who is kind of conundrum for me as far as what his future holds is, is Christian Robinson. He continues to just be very consistent this year. His numbers at Triple E Reno don't necessarily blow you away, but they are still pretty good. 271 batting average, 819 OPS. He has 55 RBI this year. He has 14 home runs, and he has 22 stolen bases. And just the thing with Robinson is it's getting to the point where like,

50:47we really haven't seen him much at a major league level, or really know what he can do. And he's 25 years old now. It's going to be 26 by next baseball season. So I just don't, I mean, I feel like it's almost time for the Diamondbacks to make a decision here with Robinson. And at least maybe give him some opportunities at a major league level to see what he can do. You know, I don't feel like there's a ton of time left for him to make the majors. So I don't know, but he still had a very, you know, a tumultuous career with the Diamondbacks. He's really done a great job of getting things back on track. And it would be great to see him just to get that opportunity. Meanwhile, Avery Short is the one picture I could find in the organization at a AAA level that had a sub for ERA. So good for him. And bad for everybody else, but he does have a 3.970 RA since being promoted to the AAA Reno

51:50Aces 1.500 Whip, which is not great. He does have 0.8 home runs allowed per 9 innings, which is very good. But he has four walks per 9 inning, which is not good right now. But like I said, he is the only picture in AAA Reno with a sub for ERA besides Luke and Baker, who is in a picture. So take that for what it's worth. Last but not least is Tyler Locklear, the future at first base for this team. He could be, feels like he's getting much better. And his progression is coming along nicely. Plus, let's be honest, I mean, Locklear, it felt like he got called up a little prematurely, suffered an injury. Has had some major league time this year, but it really does feel like, you know, a little bit more seasoning, perhaps a little bit more time. And AAA could definitely get him to that point where, you know, he could be the every day first basement of the future for the debax. And that's not bad. Hard to imagine considering right now he's hitting 296 with 10 home runs, 46 RBI and an 871 OPS for the aces.

52:59I don't know. What do you think, Damon? About Locklear's future as a first baseman for this team. Do you think it's possible or do we just need to? I mean, there's still a whole, there's still a whole lot that position. So I guess hypothetically, he still has a chance. He'll get a chance in spring training next year. But I would imagine that he's going to have to have a pretty damn big spring training to make the team. Not only that, but after this year's failures and the 2027 being a mess aside from that. Hard to imagine that this Diamondbacks team wants to roll the dice again with having such potential limited production out of first base. Yeah, you would imagine that they definitely attacked that position in the off season. But I would have said that last off season two and they didn't. And I said that about the trade deadline and they didn't. So I don't, maybe it's time for me to stop trying to guess when they're going to try to make upgrades at positions they vary obviously to upgrade. Well, and I mean, they're going to have to address the starting rotation as well.

54:01That's something they have Brandon Fought. They have Edward Rodriguez. They Brian Nelson and outside of that are Merrill Kelly too. So I mean, at least in 2027, things were locked down in Corbin Burns. So that's five guys, I guess I forgot. They actually do have five guys if those guys can stay healthy. Yeah, I imagine that overall addressing the, the lack of offensive production has to be a priority this off season. And I hate that we're already even bringing that up. And this is going to be a ridiculous off season in general. I can only hope from a personal perspective, from a professional perspective. And just as someone that loves the game of baseball, that this is not this, this CBA negotiation, this off season does not become as bad as many people are expecting it to be. I mean, perhaps that scary, like, we're going to lose the entire season kind of thing. It's just another negotiation tactic to put that fear out there amongst us baseball fans.

55:05But it's working. I'm terrified. I won't lie. And also, you know, I do think that with how good Eduardo Rodriguez, has been this year kind of sucks now to think about perhaps losing 2027. So let's, let's, let's make sure that doesn't happen. That doesn't happen. Roll the Faudi's okay with the starting rotation on paper. Speaking it out loud into existence, I definitely agree. But again, they do have Mitch Bratt. They do have cold drake. Both of those guys got some very important time this year. And that will be, you know, that will be their depth for next season. David Hagamon, by the way, continues to look incredible in the minor league. So of all the guys, the Diamondbacks traded for this, that, that trade deadline last year, Hagamon might end up being the, the best one of the crop. So pretty good, pretty good. But it still feels like they did, did a good job with adding to this team. And outside of that, things don't look really good for their pitching prospects right now,

56:06currently, in triple E Reno. Let's hope that gets better. Let's hope also that this Diamondbacks team finishes this season strong, because they need to win every single game. And it starts tomorrow, again, against the Texas Rangers. We will be back tomorrow with a 12 p.m. show, a rare Friday, 12 p.m. show. So make sure to join us for that. We're going to preview the series with the Texas Rangers, as well as screw it. We're going to do a mailbag Friday. You're going to answer questions. We missed Monday. People want to ask questions and we want to answer questions. So we'll have a special mailbag Friday episode coming to you tomorrow. I hope you guys all enjoy that. Mailbag Friday, baby. Yeah. And on on every Friday, it's we go to the mailbag. Yeah. Do I have to come up with a new thing? Can I still say the shark week thing and all the other stuff? You might have to switch it up, but I might have to come with a whole new thing. Well, join us for that. And then when you do, maybe you'll get to see if I have a whole new spiel. But again, appreciate you guys so much for joining us.

57:09Thank you guys for your time. You can follow us on social media. I am at cap underscore caveman with a K. I behave myself on social media. Damon is that Damon dog with a DAWG. This guy still doesn't work and we did add new batteries in it. So we're pretty sure the spring inside is broken. We're going to have to fix that. But bark bark. And he does not behave himself online. He very much does not behave himself online. He thrives on not behaving himself online. So if you want some in Damon's word, come get some. Especially pause cool, cool bro. Cool bro. Oh, yeah, I'll fight cool. Yeah, you're ready to fight you cool, bro. Again, love you guys. Thank you guys so much for your time. Of course, our show is at pH and X underscore D backs. But as always, all roads lead to at pH and X underscore sports on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Like I said, come back here tomorrow. We're going to talk about the Rangers. We're going to talk about how the Diamondbacks are given away at Merrill Kelly, Bobblehead that should have a little tiny cold drink and a little tiny Mitch Brett on it with a tiny David Hageman on Merrill's shoulder.

58:11That's what I would have done for the Bobblehead. But that's only because I'm a marketing genius. So we're going to talk about that. The series and everything else and answer your questions tomorrow. So make sure to come back. Until then, love you guys so much. Thank you for joining us. Behave yourselves, unlike Damon online. And remember kids, baseball is fun. But it is so much more fun when you finish the season strong and don't miss the playoffs for the third consecutive time.