1 00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: Hi, Hello, Welcome back to Cardinal Territory. It's Friday the thirteenth, 2 00:00:08,080 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 1: very scary hours and not exactly the most fun time 3 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: for the Cardinals lately. They just lost their fifth straight 4 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:17,480 Speaker 1: game six o'clonkor to the Brewer Sunny Gray just did 5 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 1: not have his best stuff. But as we usually do 6 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:24,079 Speaker 1: on this podcast, we are looking towards the future. So 7 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: we have Cardinals pitching coach Dusty Blake on the show 8 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: today as our special guest. Super excited to break down 9 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 1: some of the pitching going on with the Cardinals and 10 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: just kind of pick the brain of one of my 11 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 1: favorite people in the orgs. Dusty. Thanks for joining, Yeah, yeah. 12 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me on. 13 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:40,279 Speaker 3: I don't know if MEBA and one's going to help 14 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 3: your ratings this week, but certainly appreciate getting a chance 15 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 3: to chat. 16 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: Well, we're going to do our best, right, We're going 17 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 1: to try our best, all right. We'll start just with 18 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 1: an overall synopsis of the pitching picture as we go 19 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: through June. We kind of knew this was going to 20 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:00,800 Speaker 1: be a tough month just given the lack of off days. 21 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 1: That's something we've talked about a lot on the show. 22 00:01:02,720 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 1: Cardinals don't have a ton, just two and all of June, 23 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,559 Speaker 1: and they're currently in the midst of playing what thirteenth straight. 24 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: So as you're mapping out June, what were some of 25 00:01:12,160 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 1: your concerns about, namely the rotation and overall just making 26 00:01:16,680 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 1: sure that they were staying healthy and staying effective. 27 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,119 Speaker 3: I mean, yeah, I think a big priority for us. 28 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 3: We've certainly committed to the six man opportunity or the 29 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 3: sixth day I should say more than six man the 30 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 3: sixth day window for those guys. We know it gives 31 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 3: them a chance to recover better. We know it gives 32 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 3: us an opportunity to work a little bit more between 33 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:42,480 Speaker 3: games on some areas that may need improving or more attention. 34 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 3: So finding a way to stay in that during this 35 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 3: stretch I think is helpful was certainly priority for us. 36 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 3: That's why we saw McGreevy come up. Gives us a 37 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 3: great depth opportunity to bring a guy up and have 38 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 3: a chance to win a game against a really good offense. 39 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 3: But yeah, just keeping those guys in a good spot 40 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 3: I think is a priority. That's what they've adapted to 41 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 3: up to this point. There's going to be stretches obviously 42 00:02:08,440 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 3: where we've had guys this year stay in that five 43 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 3: day but it's been proven over the course of the 44 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 3: last decade or so when you can give those guys 45 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 3: one extra day, not only can you get more out 46 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:19,119 Speaker 3: of that bullpen, but it gives them a better chance 47 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 3: to stay healthy. And you know, from a rotation standpoint, 48 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,120 Speaker 3: like we're pretty encouraged right now with what they've done. 49 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,919 Speaker 3: I think we're top five or six in quality starts. 50 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 3: I know those guys have given us an opportunity to 51 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 3: I think we're second the league and shutouts right now, 52 00:02:33,520 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 3: so I think they've given us some opportunities to be 53 00:02:36,440 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 3: in a great position to win games. We know when 54 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 3: we get quality starts, we're going to have a good shot. 55 00:02:41,200 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 3: I've never lost a shutout, so I think that's always 56 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 3: good as well. But finding ways to manage that along 57 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,120 Speaker 3: with obviously our bullpen certainly priority. 58 00:02:50,840 --> 00:02:54,360 Speaker 1: Well, let's focus a little bit about the rotation overall, because, 59 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 1: as you know, pitching injuries across baseball it's a problem, 60 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:02,119 Speaker 1: and you and Ollie we've talked about this a lot 61 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 1: on the show. We're intentional really dating back to spring training, 62 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,280 Speaker 1: about how this usage was going to go, how the 63 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,720 Speaker 1: six six day schedule was going to go, using Stephen 64 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,640 Speaker 1: Matts in the hybrid role, using McGreevy as a spot starter, 65 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: and knock on wood, You guys have done a really 66 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: nice job with your pitching injuries. One of the very 67 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: few teams who have not had a really impactful injury 68 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,720 Speaker 1: in your rotation. When you're looking through because I know 69 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 1: you don't take any days off even in the offseason, 70 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: when you're going into spring training and you're piecing together 71 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 1: what this is going to look like, the lack of 72 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 1: depth and triple A and how you're going to keep 73 00:03:35,160 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: your starters healthier, give them the best shot. What are 74 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: the things you're looking at and why was that so 75 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: important to do? 76 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 3: You're just looking at I mean, nobody's mid season form 77 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 3: in April and May so to have more opportunities to 78 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 3: work on the things that the game has given us 79 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 3: feedback with is really important for some of our more 80 00:03:54,880 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 3: veteran guys, like giving them some extra risks, really important 81 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 3: younger guys, opportunity to reset the plants the libators given 82 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,680 Speaker 3: those guys a look at, like how do I manage 83 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 3: my week? Like all right, what happened in this last game? 84 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 3: Like the league's going to continue to adapt to them. 85 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 3: When you see veterans successful pitchers, you know, it says 86 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 3: a lot about them because the leagues had a chance 87 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 3: to adapt and those guys have found a way to 88 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:24,640 Speaker 3: continue to leverage what they do well with younger guys 89 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 3: like you just don't know what that next adaptation will be. 90 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 3: We saw it a little bit with Polonte last year, 91 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 3: with the league's approach taking him the other way. We 92 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,640 Speaker 3: started adapting using the sinker a little bit more to 93 00:04:35,720 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 3: rieties and saw a really good counterbalance there. But going 94 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 3: back to you know, the question on the sixth day, 95 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:45,680 Speaker 3: like it gives them they may recover a little more effectively, 96 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 3: but it gives them more opportunities to work on what 97 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:52,359 Speaker 3: we're seeing, what trends that we're noticing that the league 98 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:54,960 Speaker 3: and offenses may be shifting to have a better approach 99 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 3: against them. And instead of being in that tight five 100 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 3: day window where you're limited in your side, more of 101 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,599 Speaker 3: a fitness session and feel the mound and try to 102 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 3: make sure stay sharp, like we can actively be intentional 103 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 3: about what that next step might be. So that's part 104 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 3: of it, you know, with more veteran guys and extra 105 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 3: day is always helpful, you know, with younger guys, more 106 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,479 Speaker 3: space in between to work and strategize as it is helpful, 107 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:21,599 Speaker 3: so that that was certainly part of it. 108 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 1: I think the feedback also, whether you're looking at the 109 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 1: veterans side or the younger guys like Polante and Libby, 110 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,159 Speaker 1: has been this is super helpful. I remember talking to 111 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: Miles in April where he said, you know, when you're 112 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:35,159 Speaker 1: on a five day rest schedule, you're getting you're doing 113 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: your bullpen, and you're just getting your work in, You're 114 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 1: not really you don't really have the chance to go 115 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 1: in and fix things and address things. And that was 116 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: important for Miles given how has April started, and that 117 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 1: was really important for Libby and Polante really across the board. 118 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 1: But the difference is that one day difference in the 119 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:55,159 Speaker 1: schedule when it comes to the workload and the bullpen 120 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:57,279 Speaker 1: and how you prepare them between starts. What are you 121 00:05:57,320 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 1: seeing there that you thought really helped this this rotation 122 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: in the early part of the season. 123 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I mean you can see adjustments that Miles 124 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:07,679 Speaker 3: has made as he's trying to attack hitters. 125 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 2: I'm not going to broadcast that. 126 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:12,159 Speaker 3: People can, especially our opponents can do their own homework 127 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:13,800 Speaker 3: there to see if they can figure that out. But 128 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 3: that's not easy, you know, midstream, that's not easy at all. 129 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 3: So again each guy has had something. Again, I don't 130 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 3: want to put their strategy and their game plan out 131 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 3: there because I think that's somewhat confidential to what they're 132 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 3: trying to do. And I don't know there's a lot 133 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 3: of value in that for us. But I just know 134 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 3: giving them that space to feel like I don't have 135 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 3: to just rush right into this next outing has been incredible. 136 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 3: They've all found some leverage opportunities inside of that. And 137 00:06:48,640 --> 00:06:53,160 Speaker 3: again you can't discount the just the extra day as well. 138 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 3: Like they we may only be throwing ten or fifteen 139 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,080 Speaker 3: more pitches in their side, but it is a higher 140 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 3: intensity and to have an extra day to recover from 141 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:00,920 Speaker 3: that think's really important. 142 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:02,280 Speaker 2: And again to. 143 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 3: Ali's credit, I don't know that a lot of managers 144 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 3: would be enthusiastic about this because it is a little 145 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 3: high maintenance, you know, like you do have to bring 146 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 3: somebody like Matsy in and out of a starting role. 147 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 3: We knew and have seen him manage that well, which 148 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,680 Speaker 3: is why we thought like that is certainly a big 149 00:07:19,720 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 3: piece to this puzzle. Early was knowing that he's bounced 150 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 3: from bullpen roll starting role and seemingly been unaffected by 151 00:07:28,840 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 3: that in a good way. 152 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:35,080 Speaker 2: Him being able to give us that range has been helpful, 153 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 2: but Ali signing off. 154 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 3: On it and being a supporter of you know what 155 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 3: this can do for us as we get through the 156 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:42,480 Speaker 3: course of a season. 157 00:07:42,520 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 2: We saw it a little bit last year as well. 158 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 2: But it's not convenient. 159 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:49,280 Speaker 3: You know, your bullpen does become short in a few 160 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 3: games if Mats has to jump in. We are calling 161 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 3: guys up to take some of these spots starts, So 162 00:07:54,920 --> 00:07:57,760 Speaker 3: it's certainly not the most convenient process. But when you 163 00:07:57,800 --> 00:07:59,960 Speaker 3: look at the return on investment with that extra day 164 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,360 Speaker 3: and given these guys an opportunity to demonstrate what they're 165 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 3: great at, I think it just doubles down on that. 166 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 1: You guys, the Cardinal's high maintenance. You don't say, never 167 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,520 Speaker 1: heard that before, no comment, no comfort, But it did 168 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,200 Speaker 1: work and to your point, and I think this is 169 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 1: why we saw Michael McGreevey take that spot start against 170 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: LA And I know Allie hinted at well more hinted 171 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: than that he would take another one because it had 172 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: for Steven Mats to do what he did and come 173 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 1: in and take in that role. It is a lot. 174 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: It does deplete your bullpen a little bit at the 175 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:37,120 Speaker 1: you know so, but it also helps rotation as you 176 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: pointed out, So you're just kind of picking your poison 177 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: on which area of your pitching side that you want 178 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: to be depleted at any given time. Now that we've 179 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: seen McGreevy a couple more time a couple times this 180 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 1: year and he continues to impress, it does seem like 181 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,560 Speaker 1: there is a more clear path and a path that 182 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 1: makes more sense into how you can keep using this 183 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 1: schedule for as long as you can because McGreevy is 184 00:08:56,920 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: now able to take these spot starts and you can 185 00:08:58,840 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 1: leave Matts in the bullpen. 186 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's some value in that, no question. 187 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 3: He's a massive weapon for us to be able to 188 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:07,079 Speaker 3: bring into that type of opportunity. 189 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:08,319 Speaker 2: Also as the. 190 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,680 Speaker 3: Year goes on, you would so when you think about 191 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 3: it early, when you look at the majority of pitching 192 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,720 Speaker 3: injuries being between spring training in May, like, that's where 193 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:22,200 Speaker 3: I think you're getting the most return on this strategy. 194 00:09:22,400 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 3: Not that we won't continue to get that because there's 195 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:29,800 Speaker 3: always an opportunity to improve on something, but being able 196 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 3: to cover that window where we see this injury spike 197 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:36,880 Speaker 3: every year. You know, as you're ramping into seventy eighty 198 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 3: ninety pitches in spring training and then you throw ninety 199 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 3: to one hundred for the course of the month of April, 200 00:09:43,520 --> 00:09:45,320 Speaker 3: and then you do the same thing in May. Like 201 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 3: at that point, as the season continues, as long as 202 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 3: you haven't had you know, we've seen had some rain outs, 203 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 3: obviously crazy amount of that, but like these guys aren't 204 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 3: continuing to push that threshold more so, it's easier to 205 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 3: adapt to that workload when you're not constantly pushing it 206 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 3: through a new layer each time out. So once you 207 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:10,480 Speaker 3: get through a couple months, is there value in staying 208 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 3: in a six day Sure? Is it as risky to 209 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,560 Speaker 3: not do it? I think as the season progresses and 210 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,160 Speaker 3: as you adapt to that workload as a starter more often, 211 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 3: you can have some more flexibility of being in a 212 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 3: five day. 213 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,120 Speaker 1: It's good stuff from Cardinal's pitching coach, Dusty Blake. We'll 214 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 1: be back to touch on just a random assortment of 215 00:10:31,040 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: pictures in our next segment, but first, our first spunter 216 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 1: of the day, a message from Chubby's crats. 217 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 4: You look different today? Do I see chubby shorts on 218 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:40,120 Speaker 4: your shoulder? 219 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 2: Oh? 220 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 5: This the sick design. I mean, don't even get it 221 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 5: twisted too, because the lining normally is like an SOS pad. 222 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 5: This lining that's in the center is so soft, so 223 00:10:52,240 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 5: smooth the outside. So many things to choose from on 224 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 5: chubby shorts dot com. 225 00:10:58,840 --> 00:11:02,959 Speaker 4: Facts and code foul for twenty percent off. I got 226 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:07,640 Speaker 4: the Tiger Sharks little blend of a tiger and a shark. 227 00:11:07,920 --> 00:11:11,840 Speaker 4: It's beautiful, so don't wait for a very limited time. 228 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 4: Shop Chubby's biggest sale of the year forty five dollars 229 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 4: shorts and up to sixty five percent off select year. 230 00:11:17,760 --> 00:11:20,439 Speaker 4: Hit up chubby shorts dot com and grab your favorites 231 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,720 Speaker 4: before they're gone. If you miss the sale, then use 232 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 4: the FT code foul in lowercase for twenty percent off 233 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,080 Speaker 4: support FT. Let them know we sent you in the 234 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 4: survey asks and get ready to turn some heads. Summer's here, 235 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 4: dressed like it in chubbies. 236 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 1: Okay, super important question which picture? Actually? Which player on 237 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: the team is most likely to wear those shorts? 238 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 2: I mean I could see, I can see my I 239 00:11:50,120 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 2: mean Miles has a. 240 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 3: Broad range of what he's willing to invest in his wardrobe, 241 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 3: so I could see him having no problem with that. 242 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: That was a very nice wavepl I mean Miles uh 243 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:02,000 Speaker 1: style choices. 244 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 2: Hey, I respect it. I respect it. 245 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 3: He's got his own way of doing it, and there's 246 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:08,280 Speaker 3: a lot to be said for that. 247 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: No, he's definitely not shy, uh and is not afraid 248 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:14,840 Speaker 1: to make a statement. I know that about mine thinking 249 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 1: like maybe polane, but I think everyone would make fun 250 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,360 Speaker 1: of him if he did that. But I also like, 251 00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: I think they're making fun of him regardless. We just 252 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: had Plante and Levi on the show, and uh, it's 253 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: it's nice to see how he's just embraced the role 254 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 1: of just always being he joked about. 255 00:12:31,400 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 3: It's he's becoming more confident in who he is and 256 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 3: it's and it's okay that he. 257 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:39,600 Speaker 2: Just hear it. 258 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: Okay, Well, let's let's talk about some of your pictures here. 259 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:45,720 Speaker 1: We'll start with Ryan Helsley, who has been a hot 260 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: topic of sorts over the last ten days. You know, 261 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:52,040 Speaker 1: he did I think he blew four total saves last 262 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: year was phenomenal, just blew three in a row, so 263 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:57,600 Speaker 1: pretty uncharacteristic. We talked a little bit about this in 264 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: the last episode about the fact ball usage for Hellsley. 265 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,440 Speaker 1: What are you seeing? I mean, obviously a posy hitter 266 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 1: is are tea and off on it. The hard contact 267 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 1: rate has been there all season long. What are you 268 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:11,760 Speaker 1: seeing with Helsley's pitch mix, his fastball usage, and what 269 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 1: are you working on with him? 270 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, there there's a lot that you can look at 271 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 3: with that, you know, So I would start with early 272 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 3: in the season. 273 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,719 Speaker 2: There were some things in his movement pattern due to some. 274 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,400 Speaker 3: Working through ramp up spring training, things that we call 275 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 3: that he's had to adjust as he worked through like April, 276 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:37,560 Speaker 3: and he did a fantastic job of that. 277 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 2: If you look at. 278 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 3: Him for the last thirty days, I think his punch 279 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:46,480 Speaker 3: out rates thirty two percent, his walk rate is four percent, 280 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 3: and that's going to be near the top of the 281 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 3: league in both of those categories. That's what gives him 282 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 3: the best chance. You have a couple of those blown 283 00:13:56,040 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 3: saves where the difference was two singles that hit first base. 284 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:02,560 Speaker 2: You know. 285 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 3: I know the Babbitt has been talked about the shape 286 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 3: and the type of you can look at exit velocity, 287 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,719 Speaker 3: but you have to include launch angle and how we're 288 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 3: looking at that as well, when you look at the 289 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 3: type of contact, the chances of his babboit of the 290 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 3: course of May was they went ten for twenty on 291 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 3: his fastball. 292 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:28,760 Speaker 2: Are there situation? What's that right? It's not. 293 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:32,360 Speaker 3: But similar to some other guys on our team that 294 00:14:32,440 --> 00:14:35,480 Speaker 3: had low babbots early like those aren't going to sustain 295 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 3: like it won't, in my opinion, be a thing for 296 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 3: that to be able to hold over the course of 297 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:43,280 Speaker 3: the year. Once you look at it and again including 298 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 3: the launch angle and the type of contact that's being made. 299 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 3: Are there strategies that teams may be using to look 300 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 3: at that pitch more like potentially he's always in his 301 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 3: career thrown that a little bit more early in the 302 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 3: count and thrown his slider a little bit more later 303 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 3: in the count. 304 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 2: There are opportunities for him to mix more curve balls. 305 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 3: I would say the one area that didn't necessarily hurt 306 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 3: us routinely, but that has come up in a small 307 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 3: sample as he is throwing that pitch a lot when 308 00:15:14,720 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 3: he gets behind in the count, more so than he's 309 00:15:16,600 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 3: done in the past. 310 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: So that's an area that's been addressed. But but in general. 311 00:15:21,960 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 3: You know, we know what's coming out of his hand 312 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 3: right now is at a really high level. It's frustrating 313 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 3: when you don't get the result on the field that 314 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 3: you want. The thing that doesn't get talked about. 315 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: Uh. 316 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 3: And I'm not saying this does or doesn't have an impact, 317 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:39,840 Speaker 3: but in a couple of those games, we are not 318 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:42,880 Speaker 3: in the lead and he's not in the game until 319 00:15:42,920 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 3: two outs on the off side. So there is a 320 00:15:48,440 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 3: balance between me. He's down there moving, he's down there throwing. 321 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:55,800 Speaker 3: But if if every time he got hot when you 322 00:15:55,840 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 3: know the tying run were on deck, but he's not 323 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 3: making it through the season. So there is some management 324 00:16:01,720 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 3: in all right, being close enough to being ready to 325 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 3: come into a game, which I think he's done a 326 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 3: good job. 327 00:16:07,520 --> 00:16:09,760 Speaker 2: It's just it's not something they get to practice a lot. 328 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 3: He came in, he threw strikes, he challenged guys, but 329 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 3: that is a tough scenario too. On top of everything else, 330 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:17,960 Speaker 3: when you take the lead with two outs, the next 331 00:16:17,960 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 3: guy doesn't get on base, and now you're in the 332 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 3: game less than a minute after you just took the lead. 333 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 3: And to his credit again didn't give up the lead 334 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 3: or we didn't give up the tie. 335 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 2: At least we didn't trail, and I. 336 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 3: Know that it's frustrating when you don't get those results, 337 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:39,760 Speaker 3: and that's part of what we're going to keep digging 338 00:16:39,760 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 3: in on. But I think the scenarios where those have 339 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,680 Speaker 3: happened would I would say, if he continues to make 340 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 3: some small adjustments with his usage, that we'll see what 341 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 3: we're used to seeing most often as we keep moving forward. 342 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 1: That's such a good point and honestly, something I didn't 343 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: really think too much about because with these comeback cardinals, 344 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: I mean personally, I don't start writing stories when you 345 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: guys are trailing until the eighth inning, because that's usually 346 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:08,119 Speaker 1: when this offense makes a push. And specifically I remember 347 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 1: Toronto both two games, Dance the Dodgers. Those things happened quickly. 348 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 1: The lead change of scenario changed very quickly in the 349 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:15,959 Speaker 1: bottom of the eighth and it is not a lot 350 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:18,720 Speaker 1: of time for your closer to amp up and get ready. Obviously, 351 00:17:18,720 --> 00:17:21,439 Speaker 1: Helsey's a professional, and you and Julio and KT and 352 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 1: poge I'll do a great job of communicating that. But 353 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 1: I think it's easy to just look at Helsey's usage 354 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:30,360 Speaker 1: from a two week window and say, okay, three blown 355 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 1: saves and a rub that's not good. But the scenarios 356 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 1: where those happened, I mean one was a single off 357 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: the bag that. 358 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 3: Led to you know, yeah, I didn't want to make excuses, 359 00:17:41,640 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 3: but yeah, like it's it's hard for those things to 360 00:17:44,720 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 3: feel like they're going to be routine as far as 361 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 3: a strategy team's using a strategy to hit a ground 362 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,159 Speaker 3: ball off second base won't be a routine thing. 363 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: Yeah. Yeah, he punched out three of that inning. Usually 364 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: that's that's great. So I understand. I think there's always 365 00:17:57,520 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 1: going to be a lot of focus on the closer 366 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: role matter what, because that is, you know, that decides 367 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:05,200 Speaker 1: the game. But I'm not ready personally to press the 368 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: panic button on Helsley yet. The metrics are the same, 369 00:18:08,160 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 1: the vlo is the same, spin is the same, just 370 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 1: getting hit a little bit harder. So that's me telling 371 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:16,920 Speaker 1: I've been having to do a lot of therapy sessions 372 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: on Cardinals territory over the last week. So that's it. 373 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: Just everyone relaxed about Helsley. Well, we'll revisit this in 374 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: a couple of weeks or so. For Matthew Libertor, And 375 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:28,959 Speaker 1: this is a question that's come up a little bit 376 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: more frequently as the season goes on with all e 377 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: during our pregame sessions. But I mean, we've gone on 378 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 1: and on about how intentional you guys were with giving 379 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: him a starting role, establishing that role as a consistent one, 380 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 1: and really giving him the opportunity to be a legitimate 381 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 1: major league starter at the same time, and you know 382 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 1: there's going to be ups and downs, and Libby's going 383 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 1: through a little bit of a down part right now. 384 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,440 Speaker 1: That's part of the season, that's part of the adjustment 385 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: period that you've all pledged to. But how are you 386 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 1: looking at monitoring his innings going forward because he is 387 00:18:58,200 --> 00:18:59,959 Speaker 1: on pace to have a career high in major leaguetings. 388 00:19:01,520 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean there's a couple of things in play there. 389 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 3: I tend to evaluate pitches throwing more than innings. Some 390 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 3: guys can have eight to ten pitch innings, other guys 391 00:19:14,600 --> 00:19:18,120 Speaker 3: can have higher pitches person So I think you can. 392 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 2: Get a little bit of the gray area when you're 393 00:19:21,760 --> 00:19:22,920 Speaker 2: looking at just innings pitch. 394 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 3: If you're looking at just total in game pitches, I 395 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 3: think that's really what evaluates the workload the best. 396 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 2: So that's one thing we're looking at. 397 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:34,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's a pace that he's working at right now 398 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 3: that we have some ideas and how to make sure 399 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,640 Speaker 3: we can extend his season without having to cut him. 400 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 2: Off or cut him short. I think one thing that's 401 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 2: important to remember. 402 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:47,119 Speaker 3: This is a guy that has started his most of 403 00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 3: his career, and so if he stayed at the pace 404 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 3: he's at right now, he would only be he would 405 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 3: be around or less than fifteen percent plus at the 406 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 3: workload he had twenty three, I want to. 407 00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,360 Speaker 2: Say, which is not a long time ago. 408 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,000 Speaker 3: So he's built up to a pretty high workload over 409 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:11,720 Speaker 3: one hundred innings as recent as twenty three. So being 410 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 3: able to readapt to that after last year not quite 411 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:20,440 Speaker 3: the same category as somebody that's just taken a guy 412 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 3: that's been in the bullpen for three or four years 413 00:20:22,320 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 3: and saying we're going to now make this a starter. 414 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 2: Libby got a lot of work in twenty three. 415 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:30,480 Speaker 3: He's been a high workload guy the majority of his career, 416 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,639 Speaker 3: so we really last year is probably more of a 417 00:20:33,760 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 3: one off in the workload than what this year. 418 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:36,479 Speaker 2: Would be for him. 419 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 1: Makes sense, and I think that's something that Ollie has 420 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,719 Speaker 1: echoed as well. The difference between innings quality innings, pitches, 421 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: quality pitches. Yeah. I message to see how Libby continues 422 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: this month and hopefully gets back on track. One last 423 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,159 Speaker 1: pitcher I want to talk about. In spring training, I 424 00:20:51,200 --> 00:20:53,200 Speaker 1: remember sitting down with a bunch of the coaches and 425 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 1: going through what I thought the bullpen would look like. 426 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: And I did not have Kyle Leahy on my list, 427 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:01,639 Speaker 1: and all three of yours and pitching coaches said I 428 00:21:01,760 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: need to talk to you because Kyle lay was your guy. 429 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:08,120 Speaker 1: And after I remember speaking with you and you told 430 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: me to look at a bunch of different things for 431 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: Kyle Lahey and I said, oh, wow, I'm really not 432 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: that smart because. 433 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:13,880 Speaker 2: He should be in the bullpen. 434 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:15,679 Speaker 1: And I know that's someone that you poured a lot 435 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 1: of time and investments in. When you see what Kyle 436 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: lay is capable of doing, what, how have you evaluated 437 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:22,639 Speaker 1: him as a reliever so far? And what do you 438 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:23,640 Speaker 1: think is next for him? 439 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:26,880 Speaker 2: I mean, I think the first thing for young guys 440 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 2: that's always tough is. 441 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:35,159 Speaker 3: Like this is their dream and it's so hard not 442 00:21:35,320 --> 00:21:39,320 Speaker 3: to protect against what got you here or what got 443 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 3: you this opportunity. And this doesn't just I mean there's 444 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,359 Speaker 3: several young guys in our bullpen that have this mentality, 445 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:47,479 Speaker 3: which is part of what's helped him. 446 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 2: But they're they're of the. 447 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 3: Growth mindset, so they're not trying to hide from the 448 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:55,360 Speaker 3: bad things that may happen during a game. 449 00:21:55,359 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 2: Or during a performance. 450 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:59,440 Speaker 3: They don't want to just think about only good things 451 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 3: that happen and then if I stay positive, this will 452 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:02,480 Speaker 3: go my way. 453 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 2: They're all adaptable. 454 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,440 Speaker 3: Kyle certainly falls in line with that, and I think, 455 00:22:08,480 --> 00:22:10,440 Speaker 3: as a guy that had not pitched up here a lot, 456 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 3: to have that mindset, I think was impressive for me 457 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 3: early he has been able to make small adjustments to 458 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 3: his pitch shape. He's certainly motivated to continue to find 459 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:28,120 Speaker 3: daily improvement and find edges that give him a better 460 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 3: advantage moving forward. He's curious, and again I think those 461 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 3: things just put him in the conversation with a big 462 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:36,359 Speaker 3: league pitcher. 463 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,120 Speaker 2: And again it's not saying that our other guys don't 464 00:22:39,160 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 2: demonstrate that. 465 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 3: It was just something that was pretty palpable being around 466 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 3: him early on before he had a lot of opportunities 467 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 3: up here. And when you see guys like that, the 468 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 3: biggest thing is they get better. Like they just they 469 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:55,120 Speaker 3: will improve every inning you give them. In spring Train, 470 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 3: and every opportunity you give them in a game, good 471 00:22:57,160 --> 00:23:00,439 Speaker 3: or bad, like they will improve as a by product 472 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:04,200 Speaker 3: of that. You don't always see it immediately, you know, 473 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,879 Speaker 3: you can think of it like if your goal is 474 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:09,800 Speaker 3: to melt an ice cube. You know you can get 475 00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 3: the room from ten degrees to twenty degrees to thirty 476 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 3: degrees and you won't see any progress, but you've made progress, 477 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 3: and then now you get to thirty, you're only a 478 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:21,600 Speaker 3: couple degrees away from really starting to see the return 479 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 3: on all that work. That's kind of a way here, 480 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 3: along with several other guys, like that's their approach, like 481 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:29,479 Speaker 3: they're going to constantly be working on things. You may 482 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:33,040 Speaker 3: not see it in the next outing, but there will 483 00:23:33,160 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 3: be a return on that over time. And guys who 484 00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 3: find a way to continue to get better with their 485 00:23:37,880 --> 00:23:41,439 Speaker 3: opportunities and don't just try to protect against success because 486 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 3: sometimes there's a lot of. 487 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 2: That as pictures you don't control. 488 00:23:45,000 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 3: I think give you the mental edge that you need 489 00:23:48,320 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 3: to be competitive up here, and then stuff wise, like 490 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:52,080 Speaker 3: what's coming out is hands pretty good. 491 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:54,919 Speaker 1: I swear every time I talked to you, you hit 492 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 1: me with a different analogy. I'm like where is this going? 493 00:23:57,520 --> 00:23:59,840 Speaker 1: And then you've better the analogy and I'm like, oh 494 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: that it actually made a ton of sense. Yeah, so 495 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:04,880 Speaker 1: good stuff. Well, today we're gonna take a quick thirty 496 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:06,520 Speaker 1: second break as we hear from Arena Club, and then 497 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 1: we'll wrap up with pitching coach Dusty Blake. We'll be 498 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: right back. 499 00:24:09,400 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 4: I just want to say, before Arena Club, if you 500 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:16,080 Speaker 4: were trying to very actively buy sell trade, it was 501 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:19,399 Speaker 4: very complicated and used a lot of mail that was unnecessary. 502 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:20,720 Speaker 5: I don't know I even know how to do it, 503 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:22,440 Speaker 5: but I'm glad we have Arena Club now because it's 504 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 5: a one stop shop for everything card related. 505 00:24:24,600 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 4: It is and right now you can get twenty percent 506 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 4: off your first slab pack or your first card purchase 507 00:24:29,840 --> 00:24:33,360 Speaker 4: by going to Arena club dot com. Slash foul, use 508 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,960 Speaker 4: code foul. If you're a collector, you've got to check 509 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:38,080 Speaker 4: out Arena Club. 510 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:39,119 Speaker 2: Go get after it. 511 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 1: Those are guys up at foul Territory. And speaking of 512 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:46,359 Speaker 1: foul Territory, Dusty, your bestie Allie Marmel is joining the 513 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:48,680 Speaker 1: Foul Territory gang today. So for those of you watching, 514 00:24:48,720 --> 00:24:51,480 Speaker 1: you can catch it live or you can rewind. Should 515 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:53,640 Speaker 1: be some good stuff. I actually do remember him telling 516 00:24:53,680 --> 00:24:56,359 Speaker 1: me yesterday he was doing that, and then I completely forgot. 517 00:24:56,640 --> 00:24:59,879 Speaker 1: So there we are, all right, Dusty, before I let you, 518 00:25:00,240 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: because you do have to get to the ballpark. A 519 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:07,080 Speaker 1: big start for Eric Fetti. You've been with the organization 520 00:25:07,119 --> 00:25:10,719 Speaker 1: since twenty twenty one, took over as pitching coach, had 521 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:14,399 Speaker 1: pitching coach in twenty twenty three when you not not 522 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,960 Speaker 1: a great year for really anyone, twenty twenty three, but 523 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:20,600 Speaker 1: there were a ton of difficulties that I think you 524 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 1: had to face behind the scenes. One being that was 525 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:26,200 Speaker 1: the first year that Baseball expanded their schedule, so we 526 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:28,679 Speaker 1: were no longer playing the Division eighteen times. You were 527 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:32,680 Speaker 1: really scouting twenty nine other organizations. You were doing so 528 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:35,879 Speaker 1: with a limited staff because when Mike Maddox moved on, 529 00:25:36,320 --> 00:25:38,679 Speaker 1: you were promoted to his spot, and while you did 530 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:40,880 Speaker 1: get some help from our pal Packie Elkins, the game 531 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:44,920 Speaker 1: planning coach, no one backfilled your role. So it was 532 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:48,320 Speaker 1: basically double up, not triple, the amount of work and 533 00:25:48,440 --> 00:25:51,040 Speaker 1: a time where the team itself was really struggling. So 534 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:53,240 Speaker 1: I can't imagine twenty twenty three was like the most 535 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:53,919 Speaker 1: fun year for you. 536 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 2: But showed their confidence in me to do a lot. Yeah, 537 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:03,600 Speaker 2: take it all, and anytime you struggle, you get something 538 00:26:03,640 --> 00:26:03,920 Speaker 2: out of it. 539 00:26:04,119 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 3: So there were certainly frustrating times with that season, but 540 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:11,520 Speaker 3: we are better off with our plan and process now 541 00:26:11,640 --> 00:26:12,399 Speaker 3: having gone through that. 542 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 1: So how have you seen that plan develop over the 543 00:26:17,400 --> 00:26:20,360 Speaker 1: last two and a half seasons, because as we sit 544 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 1: here now in twenty twenty five, it looks like the 545 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:24,359 Speaker 1: Cardinals pitching picture is in a much better spot. 546 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:28,000 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, there's you can't discount. 547 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:31,520 Speaker 3: Obviously, Julio was with me in twenty three and was 548 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 3: a great resource for us continuing to communicate and how 549 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:40,120 Speaker 3: to navigate the season day by day, month by month 550 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:45,520 Speaker 3: better as we went adding Dean key Caver to our staff. 551 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:49,440 Speaker 3: It doesn't he's like a Swiss army knife. It's not 552 00:26:49,680 --> 00:26:52,919 Speaker 3: just you know, one thing that he's invested in with us. 553 00:26:53,040 --> 00:26:55,960 Speaker 3: But a primary part of his role is to create 554 00:26:56,640 --> 00:27:00,480 Speaker 3: kind of an outline of an advanced scout and wholly 555 00:27:01,000 --> 00:27:02,879 Speaker 3: help with that, and then KT actually helps with that 556 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,000 Speaker 3: sum as well. But the time it takes like every 557 00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 3: game I'm going to have a plan for our starting pitcher. 558 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 3: We're gonna be great at what we're good at We're 559 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:14,920 Speaker 3: gonna lean into our strengths. We're gonna know what those 560 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 3: guys may struggle with and where to mix in some 561 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:22,560 Speaker 3: of the supporting pitches in our arsenal. We do the 562 00:27:22,600 --> 00:27:25,160 Speaker 3: same thing with our relievers, where we're gonna meet with them, 563 00:27:25,280 --> 00:27:27,560 Speaker 3: go through the lineup to make sure, okay, we've got 564 00:27:27,640 --> 00:27:29,639 Speaker 3: a generic report. It's good to know kind of what 565 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,440 Speaker 3: this hitter's personality is. It is important to have that, 566 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 3: but then to individualize it with each guy's what's so 567 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:40,919 Speaker 3: massively important as well, like the overall kind of get 568 00:27:41,040 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 3: generic reporse more to just give us a profile on 569 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,520 Speaker 3: who this guy is, what he wants to do. If 570 00:27:46,560 --> 00:27:49,439 Speaker 3: it's something that we do well, well, we'll take our 571 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 3: chances because typically it's going to go our way if 572 00:27:52,600 --> 00:27:55,359 Speaker 3: it's what our strength is. But in general, like the 573 00:27:55,800 --> 00:28:01,040 Speaker 3: the laborious, you know, time frame of putting that report together, 574 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 3: it's ours on hours and for Dean to kind of 575 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 3: step in and take a big part of that responsibility 576 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 3: just freeze me up to be I guess more global 577 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:16,639 Speaker 3: and how I'm managing this role, which gives me way 578 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 3: more opportunities to have space to address like the more 579 00:28:19,920 --> 00:28:20,760 Speaker 3: meaningful things. 580 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:21,679 Speaker 2: That are right in front of us. 581 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,520 Speaker 1: Well, so far, so good. I think this year the 582 00:28:25,640 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 1: rotation specifically has maybe overperformed projections. I'm not saying who 583 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:34,600 Speaker 1: projected them to be low. Definitely not me. Never and 584 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 1: the bullpen, you know, when you have such a good bullpen, 585 00:28:36,920 --> 00:28:38,960 Speaker 1: a lights out in twenty twenty four to be able 586 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 1: to find someone of the same success, I mean that 587 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 1: relief corporately carried you guys in May. Like we talked 588 00:28:44,560 --> 00:28:46,080 Speaker 1: about the beginning of the show, June was going to 589 00:28:46,120 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 1: be tough, it was going to be a stretch. I 590 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:49,840 Speaker 1: don't think we're at the like, tear everything down in 591 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: panic level. I think these are kind of the highs 592 00:28:51,680 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: and lows of the baseball season. But it is really 593 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 1: interesting to see how this pitch is developed, and it's 594 00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 1: ahead of the curve in my opinion at this point 595 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:00,560 Speaker 1: this season. Howd to you, guys. 596 00:29:00,560 --> 00:29:04,000 Speaker 2: You do a nice job doing our best, and inevitably 597 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,360 Speaker 2: you have up and downs throughout the season. You're not 598 00:29:06,440 --> 00:29:07,040 Speaker 2: going to dodge that. 599 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,960 Speaker 3: So it's just making sure you stay connected to the 600 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:12,440 Speaker 3: things that give you the best chance to be successful. 601 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:15,880 Speaker 3: And as we're noticing trends, like we said, we're finding 602 00:29:15,960 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 3: the right ways to adapt to those things. 603 00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:17,920 Speaker 2: As we go. 604 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:21,760 Speaker 1: Well, hopefully we see some success from Eric Fetti tonight. 605 00:29:21,840 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 1: Cardinals could really use to get back in the win column. 606 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:27,240 Speaker 1: That would be that'd be good for the Saint Louis Club, 607 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:29,440 Speaker 1: So we'll keep our fingers crossed. DOSSI thank you so 608 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: much for doing this. I know I ask you for 609 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:35,360 Speaker 1: a lot, and I know it's you have such a 610 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:37,239 Speaker 1: busy day going on, and so for you to take 611 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 1: any kind of time, I really do appreciate it. Cardinal Territory, 612 00:29:40,800 --> 00:29:43,680 Speaker 1: we will be back at the end of the series. 613 00:29:43,800 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 1: I believe Ernie will be back with me, and hopefully 614 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:49,840 Speaker 1: we're previewing at least a serious split. We'll find out though. 615 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:51,800 Speaker 1: For Dusty Blake, I'm Katie who thanks as always for 616 00:29:51,880 --> 00:29:53,960 Speaker 1: watching Cardinal Territory. We'll be back very soon.