Phillies season expectations

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Testing season is right around the corner,

and this is when confidence really matters.

When kids take time to review key concepts and strengthen their skills

before assessments, it can make all the difference.

IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now,

so they walk into every test feeling prepared,

capable and confident.

IXL is an award-winning online learning platform

that helps kids truly understand what they're learning,

whether they're building math confidence,

strengthening reading and writing skills,

or reviewing science concepts.

Designed for students from Pre-K through 12th grade,

IXL delivers personalized interactive practice

that adapts to your child's level and pace.

It's an easy, effective way to support learning

as the school year heads into its final stretch.

Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests,

proven in all 50 states.

IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US.

Make an impact on your child's learning.

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This is Attorney Amida Zari from Zari Law.

If you've been injured in an accident and feel like no one is fighting for you,

it's time to fight back.

Call Zari Law at 888-828-Hurt.

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Opening day is a Hurt's Day on the WIP afternoon show.

With Ike Spike and Fritz at the DeBora Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth

at Citizens Bank Park for opening day,

Ike it is beautiful out.

Baseball begins. How you feeling, brother?

I'm feeling pretty good, brother Spike.

We are at the ballpark.

Come on, man.

Bring the bell.

Game 1 of 162, Jackie baseball.

What's your song, Gidey, about, then, young man?

Yeah, I'm in a day.

I know you are.

I am as well.

Let's get one in a day.

Jackie baseball.

How long is it, boy?

144 sees in a Phil's baseball.

140.

144?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Feels like it might be a special one.

I see some beers flowing already.

70 degrees and it's time to sunny out.

Yeah, we all got our legs out.

Yeah, even Spike.

Even Spike.

One professional, as always, by Spike Asuka.

Hey, we're not in the studio.

As long as we're not in the studio,

I'm fine.

Well, as long as you never wear shorts.

You're letting your hair down an opening day.

Yeah, that's a good sign.

Yeah, I'm already so drunk.

Now I'm just kidding.

And it is a beautiful opening day.

Maybe this is just what I believe,

and it isn't the truth.

But it feels to me like opening day has been

49 degrees overcast and either rainy

or a little bit windy every year for the last decade.

The fact that we got a sunny, warm opening day,

I think is like a good sign.

Right?

Listen, last time it was this nice, it's probably 2019,

with Andrew McCutcheon.

First sending, went yard.

Reese Oskins ended the game with a Grand Slam against the Braves.

Oh, there you go.

His second biggest Grand Slam against the Braves.

And seeing the lineup, seeing the lineup out there.

It puts a little smile on you.

Yeah, we're back.

We're back.

215-593-94-94.

It is an abbreviated.

It only ends up mad at you myself.

There we go.

It's a no big air.

Yeah, we're on the radio.

It's no biggie.

No matter.

It doesn't matter according to eye.

It's opening day.

It's opening day.

Look, boba-shet, we don't even remember it.

Elite, not elite.

I don't even know what you're talking.

About I have a different t-shirt on.

The Dodgers?

They sent me the shirt.

I didn't know what it was.

Yes, the Dodgers.

I don't even know it.

No care about that.

I just met her.

Dodger, I just met her.

Right?

So, you know, the thing I think about going into this season.

And we would love to hear from you today.

As we, again, it is a short and show.

We will take you right up until the pre-game show.

The thing I think about today.

We brought up a bunch of times

and are the fillies in the Sixer Zone.

Where we're just, we're nothing counts

until the playoffs count.

And they've been in the playoffs every year since 2022.

Haven't been out of the first round

the last two years.

We've seen division wins.

We've seen 90 plus wins for consecutive seasons.

And none of it matters.

And you know what?

Having been through the Sixer's nonsense

as closely as anyone could have been through it.

I tell you that is no way to live.

And it's not how I will approach this filly season.

Did it too much with the Sixers?

The none of it matters until the playoffs.

That even that the playoffs are given,

that we just assume the fillies will be in the playoffs.

I am not watching this season that way.

Who you are in the playoffs, a lot of times,

is developed by who you are during the regular season.

It is the ups and downs during the regular season.

It is the surprise players during the regular season.

It's the way that you got there matters.

And I don't think we can just close our eyes

and make pretend that the fillies will definitely be in the playoffs.

I think they will.

But I think the minute that we start doing that

is the minute that they start doing that.

And Joe asked in the hour we were on with Chilio beforehand,

does it matter to you if they win the division or not?

Now the end of the day, as long as they're in the playoffs,

it's good that they're in the playoffs.

But the truth is, is that I think that this team needs goals.

I think that this team needs to be motivated.

This team has not proven that they can just turn it on

or turn it off or coast or any of those things.

I think this team needs to be motivated by winning the division.

I think winning a lot of regular season games

it doesn't give you playoff wins.

But I think it is important for this team to do it.

And so this regular season, I will live with the ups and the downs.

I will get excited when they win eight out of nine

and think that this is going to be the year.

And I will be miserable when they lose four in a row.

And I'll think that it's all going to go.

I'm going into it with my heart open ready to be ready to have it broken

and then repair it again and then broken and then going into the playoffs

thinking that maybe this will be the year.

I'm not just going to wake up one day and go,

ah, well, we'll see if they beat the Dodgers.

It's no fun, it's no way to live.

So I'm excited for this Philly season because I think it could be special.

But mostly because I don't want to sleep walk through the next five months.

We don't want them to, so I'm not going to either.

Yeah, and I don't think most Philly fans are.

I mean, we may say something being pessimistic going into a season

just so we can have sort of a defense mechanism there.

In case things don't go our way.

But by and large, this fan base is a fan base

that has been breaded and has in their DNA of hope

and belief of doing the unthinkable at times.

And it's not that winning the division or winning the World Series

is necessarily unthinkable.

It's just that they aren't necessarily the favors to do it.

And winning the division I think does matter.

Sure, it matters to me that they win the division.

It's not necessarily the ultimate goal that I'm setting there.

But listen, as a baseball team, this guy, this much talent

infused upon it is nice to have something that sort of represent

how good you were during that time.

Even if it doesn't lead to the ultimate goal of winning the World Series.

In other words, being the best team in this division

where you have the New York meds and you have the Atlanta Braves.

All right, this isn't necessarily an FC South with the Saints,

the Bucks and damn Carolina Panthers and the Falcons.

All right, this is a very good division.

And to be the, I guess, the face of this division

for a five-year period, which you can almost consider

in today's sports landscape as an era.

I don't know if you get 10-year, 15-year arrows

with sports teams anymore.

They're going to team that's good for five years.

That's pretty much an era right there.

So this team has, from, at this point,

established that they have been the best team

of the last five years, six years around here.

So winning another division would give them what,

three or four out of six years, four out of five years.

It would be three, right?

It would be the third straight here.

Yeah, it would be third.

Third straight, but they, that the only three

that they've won during the first two or a wild card.

So only if you get three out of the five years,

you will still have that claim as the most consistent team

in this division would hire, obviously, goals ahead of you.

So we do this for every team at the beginning of every season.

But I always go back to these two teams,

the Eagles and the Phillies as the two teams

that we really leave ourself open and vulnerable to,

to have your heart broken because they don't meet expectations.

And they've earned that right.

Yes.

With their consistent winning.

They earn the pressure.

Yes, they've earned that.

We're back here.

Yeah.

And this is where we are.

It's the first game of the season.

We got great weather.

You know, the best thing about the early start to a season.

Is it the marching band that goes,

walks in front of you as you're doing?

I was trying to tell.

I'm trying to talk over everything.

All right.

One of the best thing is that you can enjoy the early portion

of the season and being just a baseball fan,

being happy that baseball is back,

being happy that now we got another sport

that we're going to pay attention to

that we're locked in on.

We just fill it up for your sports fans.

Our winners sports suck.

They suck.

They do suck.

They just do.

They do.

They do suck.

So we need something to have a whole band

and believe in and get excited about.

And that's what the Phillies represent.

And I love it.

I do.

I love it.

That's why I'm happy right here.

Yeah, I finally got something

that I can be locked in on on a night-to-night basis.

And we actually come in the next day and talk about.

We talk about the Eagles enough as it is.

But at least we got it.

We got it.

This, we can actually get it to and sink our team here.

You're telling me that a beat returning last night

and beating the balls.

It's going to 150.

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.

Whether you love true crime or comedy,

celebrity interviews or news,

you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue.

And guess what?

Now you can call them on your auto insurance too,

with the name your price tool from Progressive.

It works just the way it sounds.

You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance

and they'll show you coverage options

that fit your budget.

Get your quote today at Progressive.com

to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive.

Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates.

Price and coverage match limited by state law.

Testing season is right around the corner.

And this is when confidence really matters.

When kids take time to review key concepts

and strengthen their skills before assessments,

it can make all the difference.

IXL helps reinforce what they're learning right now.

So they walk into every test feeling prepared,

capable and confident.

IXL is an award-winning online learning platform

that helps kids truly understand what they're learning,

whether they're building math confidence,

strengthening reading and writing skills,

or reviewing science concepts.

Designed for students from pre-K through 12th grade,

IXL delivers personalized interactive practice

that adapts to your child's level and pace.

It's an easy, effective way to support learning

as the school year heads into its final stretch.

Studies show kids who use IXL score higher on tests,

proven in all 50 states.

IXL is used in 96 of the top 100 school districts in the US.

Make an impact on your child's learning.

Get IXL now.

And listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership

when they sign up today at IXLLearning.com slash audio.

Visit IXLLearning.com slash audio

to get the most effective learning program out there

at the best price.

This is Attorney Amida Zari from Zari Law.

If you've been injured in an accident

and feel like no one is fighting for you,

it's time to fight back.

Call Zari Law at 888-828-Hurt.

That's what one call you can put a proven legal team on your side.

Zari Law has been serving the DMV for over 15 years,

proudly fighting for our local community.

I was born and raised right here in the DMV,

and my team is made up of experienced,

reputable local attorneys dedicated to fighting

for injury victims just like you.

Follow us on all social platforms at iZari.law.

That's a-z-a-r-i dot L-A-W.

Don't wait, don't settle.

Fight back with iZari Law.

With offices in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia,

my team and I are ready to stand up for you.

Call 888-828-Hurt.

That's 888-828-HURT.

And let us fight back for you.

I agree with you.

Squad douche.

It's been tough.

It's tough run from the workforce.

Yeah, well, how are you?

So Fritz, you know?

Oh, yeah, big fella.

No, man.

Yeah, so 2-1-5-5-9-2-94-94 Fritz.

I do want to- and I'm not teasing you when I do- Of course, I'm-

No, I'm not.

I can't- I can't talk about the baseball.

It's not being these.

No, I'm asking about your evolution over the last six weeks,

because you would admit, and I think all of this was genuine, right?

None of it.

You started off talking about 888-89 wins, lowered expectations.

Really think that the window is closed, but we're-

at least we can enjoy a baseball team with a couple of young guys.

And then in that time, I think it's been about six weeks, you know,

from right before spring training until now.

You've gone to, and when we said yesterday,

are they a real contender to win the World Series or punch or stance?

You said they could really win the World Series.

I see it.

So tell me about the evolution of going from everyone lower your expectations

to your expectations are as big as they've been over the last four years.

Yeah, right back where we were.

Yes, yeah.

So I think a lot of it has to do with- a lot of it has to do with the pitching side.

So I look at the starting rotation.

If I think Lazardo's going to finish top five inside, young, which I do believe,

Wheeler, the way that he's progressing, I think that's how to raise my expectations.

Because I thought maybe May and, you know, and who knows what he's going to look like.

But when every indication is that he feels exactly the same.

And even when he talks to the mid-day show,

when I think even he was trying to couch how good he feels.

Yeah.

I thought that that was- that was important.

The fact they might get real Zach Wheeler back.

Now, I do think the one thing I'm looking for with him is fatigue.

Just from the standpoint of starting hot and can he keep that up through August and September

with where the arm is at.

But at least it seems like we're going to get Zach Wheeler back.

Then you go to Sanchez being Sanchez.

What I saw from NOLA, even the World Baseball Classic Spring training,

the fastball, up a tick and a half.

You know, not- I didn't think he was going to pitch it with six again,

but I certainly had four ERA expectations.

And I think he's going to pitch it to an ERA below four.

So you have a starting rotation that rounds that like that.

I watch the bullpen, guys.

Alvarado getting back to 100 with the cutter looking like

the how it used to look and him looking the part, I think, was important.

Even a guy like Kyle Backus, who I know a lot of people may not know yet.

He was the strom trade.

No, he was- they traded.

I always screw that up.

Who was the strom trade?

So that was Jonathan Bolin, who also I think is going to be really good.

I mean, he's up to 99 the other day.

So he was like a 95-mile an hour guy.

And he's the fourth righty in the bullpen.

Or his curkering's the third.

And we'll see what curkering looks like, obviously,

with the injury and how everything shades up last year.

But even like a guy like Kyle Backus, who's a funky little lefty

and lefty sit like 150 something off of them last year.

So I think the whole bullpen and the arrangement of it

and the way that I love Brad Keller, Joanne de Ron.

So I think pitching wise, I think is the reason why

I raised like the floor for this team.

Because I have very hard time believing that they're going to lose many games

with both the starting rotation of the way it is

and the bullpen the way it is.

And then offensively, you know, stop- and I know a lot of how I feel

is based off spring training, which I know is hard to do.

But I think some things do matter in spring

and stop looking exactly the same as the end of last year

where he did bat 2.95 in the second half with the lowered hands.

He made him 3.75 in spring.

That was notable to me.

The Bryce Homer.

You're Schorber looking fine.

You know, a Dolly's with the swing change.

I just, there's an air of confidence about this team.

I know you don't want to get too confident.

Like you're just going to cakewalk to the postseason.

But I think the Mets doing what they did

and bringing in Boa was shit.

There's going to be a real friction point between those two teams.

Like I think the flow is going to be in the division,

but I think it's going to be decided by a game or two.

Like I think those two are going to be neck and neck.

I don't think the Braids are going to be that,

like I think they're going to be fine,

but they feel more 85, 86 wins than in the 90s

where I think the feelings are going to be.

They're cursed anyway.

Well, they get it.

They let it go for any freement.

Yeah.

This is the baseball gods catching up to the Braids.

Yeah.

And it's the right thing to do.

Yeah.

So I think where my raised expectations have come from

is you're seeing, you're seeing the same-ish offense.

But I really think pitching staff wise,

they're better than last year.

And last year was really, really good.

And I think the bullpen's going to take a step forward.

I mean, last year we opened the season

with Carlos Hernandez and Jordan Romano in the bullpen.

Now we got John DeRan as the closer.

So I think most of it comes from pitching.

I don't feel like they choked against the Dodgers.

I don't think it's as neck and neck as they like to,

but it was close, but blaming the two-two pitch

and think they're just going to come back here

and win that game.

Maybe you're going to win that game one.

Nothing was a bit of a stretch for me.

And they made little critical mistakes.

But I just have a good feeling about the group.

And I think that they're using the whole motivation.

If you guys ran it back again, maybe

it's something that could be a rallying cry for them.

Yeah.

And when they did run it back, they did.

When they're using it as a rally.

Well, the rallying cry is like, we know how this ends.

All they hear is we know how this ends.

We know how this ends.

We know how this ends.

And I mean, you went through it with, we know how this ends.

We know how this ends.

And you guys finally broke through.

And you got cheated out of a Super Bowl.

Everyone talks about it.

But that can be internal motivation for a club

that has a lot of aging veterans on it.

Well, and the thing about the pitching

being the way that it is.

And the, because when we're talking about running it back,

we're not talking about the pitching staff.

Everybody knows we're talking about the lineup, right?

Is they're really going to have a chance

to prove everybody wrong because it really does come down to them.

I don't think that there's some sort of wiggle room

in terms of how good you think the pitching is going to be.

But I think the, the floor is pretty high, right?

I mean, we can depend on Sanchez.

I think we can, unless he's hurt, we can depend on Lazardo.

Right.

And once Wheeler's back, I'm sorry, like I'm depending on Wheeler.

And I think the, the bullpen, you can depend on the bullpen.

So if this team, and we're talking,

when we're talking about it in the one o'clock hour,

if this team is, you know, in July,

if they're three games over 500,

it will be because of the offense.

It will be because of the offense.

So, so they have an opportunity.

Those guys have an opportunity to elevate the ceiling

from this team doesn't come from the pitching.

It comes from the hitting.

The floor comes from the pitching.

And the ceiling comes from the hitting.

They could be, you know, I said 97 games.

If they are, like they, I think they were set square,

the seventh most runs in baseball last year.

If that ends up right around the same,

I'm sorry, they could be upper 90s and wins,

as long as they don't go backwards in offense.

I agree with you.

It's a very good baseball team.

And I like the fact that so many guys have

a little extra pressure on them this year.

The pressure?

I don't mind it.

I really don't mind it.

You know, look how trade responded

when he came off of a bad year

to win in a batting title, right?

Schwarber in a contract year.

Look what that led to and what his production was last year.

I didn't like the Thumbbrowski comments.

I'll go to my grave saying it's something he shouldn't have said.

And he knows he shouldn't have said it.

But such is he said it.

And if that means Bryce has a little bit of extra chip

on his shoulder and a little bit of extra motivation,

you know who's going to benefit from that?

Us, I don't give a damn.

Like, yeah, it's not a bad thing if he has a chip on his shoulder.

I think Thumbbrowski would be thrilled.

Yeah, exactly.

If he knows it, even if that wasn't his intention,

if that was the result, he'll take the heat that came with that.

If it produces what he opened to produces with Bryce Harper.

Alec Bohn, we talked about that.

We know what's there with him.

We know who's in the waiting waiting to get in that position.

As soon as he gets healthy as the organization is focused on a youth

movement as well in this lineup, I think the dynamics

of this team this year is in the perfect position for us

to really get a chance to make a ultimate decision on who's

bright light players and who aren't.

And it is time to move on from guys.

Like, the pressure is there with this team this year.

And that's a good thing.

I don't think it's a bad thing.

I don't think it's a negative pressure.

I think it's more or less.

We as a fan base have said, you know what?

We've been sitting here supporting you, believing you.

We could three and a half million through the gates.

Every year, it's time to actually come through.

It's time to actually come through.

And if you go down swinging, pun intended,

but from the standpoint of not just go down by striking out,

but I mean, go down saying you fought tooth and nail.

Yes, you just got beat by a better team.

And then it's just, it's just not our time.

It doesn't mean it'll be any less disappointing,

but it's more acceptable when we know you did your best.

The coming up small, going out in the whimper,

not playing smart, fundamental, baseball,

those type of things are hard to accept.

It's time to get it done.

If you're the Phillies, the talent is there.

Two and five.

How many more pre-game speeches do I got to give to them?

Just get down there.

Yeah, he goes down there and say,

do you want to end up on WIP with two schmucks?

I'm ready to go down there and get strike.

You get three pitch strike out.

Now you're just going to get the batter's box, man.

Throw something for me.

Two and five, five, nine, two, ninety four,

ninety four, Violet and Virginia.

Let's go.

You're on WIP with some Violet.

Hey Violet.

Hey Violet.

Hey, how are you?

Good.

What's up Violet?

Hello, I'm so sorry.

Hey, how are you?

I'm so excited.

I've had the silly gear on and I'm putting up all my

silly flags and I had my silly fanatic with me.

There you go.

Now you're in Virginia.

Are you from here?

Oh, I think we've asked you that before.

I believe, right?

Yeah, I grew up right outside of Philly.

I grew up in Ragnar.

Okay.

Not far from Villanova University, actually.

Yeah, you know, Devin Caini calls it Delco,

but we all know it's the main line.

Exactly right.

Yeah.

Well, you know what?

I always say I'm not the one that had money.

My parents worked for people that had the money.

There you go.

There you go.

But that's okay.

Oh, my God.

I'm so excited.

And I can't wait to see Sanchez get like one of my favorite

pictures.

I mean, I love S'mores, but I absolutely love Sanchez.

I love when he gets in the zone, you know, how he kind of does

his little shimmy with his shoulders.

I can't wait to see that.

Oh, my God.

Well, it's really exciting and we all know that if Wheeler was

healthy, Wheeler would be the opening day started.

It said Christopher Sanchez is an absolutely appropriate, well-earned opening day

started.

Oh, I love it.

Oh, I love it.

And what a journey from the last four years to see where Christopher Sanchez started to

coming into the season.

What preseason, Saiyung, he's brought third or fourth and a skeens, he got rocked

today.

Oh, skeens got rocked.

Yeah.

Out of the first sending five runs.

Really?

Yeah.

Now, O'Neal Cruz misplayed a ball in front and centerfield.

But it doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter.

It's not just might be a year away from being like that guy.

I didn't want to say about the Wheeler situation.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What's it?

Go ahead.

I'm sorry.

No, I don't want to say.

I don't want them rushing him back.

You know what I mean?

Like, I wanted to be on his terms.

Like, don't rush him back.

No, I don't.

I think if anyone is rushing, it would be Wheeler.

I think it is on his terms.

Yeah.

I think it's on his terms.

And thank you for the call, Violet.

I think what L.A. said yesterday was, if they wanted to rush it, he could be pitching

right now.

Sure.

You know, he feels good enough to where it seems like they're not rushing him.

If anybody is rushing, my guess would be it would be Zach Wheeler that they have to

hold them back and say, relax, you know.

You mentioned the Sanchez run here.

It's crazy that we're talking about him in this way.

Yes.

I mean, it was, they traded Curtis Mead for him.

And Curtis Mead was, it turned into a top 100 prospect, to fill his fans, like, I can't

believe we gave up Curtis Mead, never trade with the raise, the raise or geniuses, Curtis

Mead de-affayed by the white socks yesterday.

Meanwhile.

The worst team in baseball.

Meanwhile, Chris Sanchez opening day starter, like, when he came up, he had no idea where

the ball was going.

He walked the ballpark.

I remember, I remember distinctly, a game down in Arizona in like 22, maybe 21, where he

had bases loaded and he walked in the run and I was like, there's no way this guy can

mentally handle pitching at the big league level.

And like, four years later, he's turned into, he came second in sight young last year

and it is the opening day starter.

And I would say one of his best traits is that mentally, he does not let things unravel.

You know, he, if there's any pitcher on the staff that I'm confident with, if he opens

up the inning, you know, allowing two hits that he's going to settle in and in that inning

get out of the inning.

It is Sanchez.

He's the guy that never lets things, you know, unravel like that.

So it's, it's, it's awesome.

What a success story for him and, and he is a, he is, and the fact that we know he's

going to be here to at least 34, at least, or 35 is awesome.

The whole road to, I mean, besides Wheeler, we'll see what happens when the rotation is,

is set through 20, 31, I mean, the start of,

the tie-on.

Luzardo.

Yeah.

Sanchez.

Nola.

Painter.

We hope.

We hope.

We hope.

Two on five.

Five nine two.

Ninety four, ninety four.

This is the WIP afternoon show live from the DeBora Heart and Lung Center broadcast booth

at Citizens Bank Park.

We will take you right up until game time.

This is the WIP afternoon show with Ike, Spike and Fritz.

It is beautiful out.

I took my dogs for a very long walk today.

I'm sure your dogs will be outside more too, and dogs and cats rule can be your home

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I'm Brian, I work at United Health Care.

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