Now, Tim, take us through your mindset on how and why you decided to ambush our show that day.

Yeah, I mean, that was, I still feel bad.

Your director was like, we want you to go take the microphone from Tim.

And I was like, no shot.

And he was like, yeah, you're going to do it.

And then you can't see, but while you're interviewing Niger Morgan, the director was telling me to go grab the microphone.

And I'm just going, no.

how did you become a pitcher tim how did you go from catcher to pitcher who was the one that said you got to try something else

about me.

I know, right? And so I'm looking for something really cool because – Who was going to start a game? Drowin.

Drowin was going to start a game.

And I was just curious, when is the last time a team in the playoffs, or at least the championship series, that started three rookies in a series? And it only happened one other time in history.

Again, this isn't my nugget.

This comes from the Sport Radar Slack channel link that I have on my computer here.

And they said the other time was in 2020.

I mean, how rare is that to have that many guys that you would trust to get the final three outs of a postseason game?

about me.

I know, right? And so I'm looking for something really cool because – Who was going to start a game? Drowin.

Drowin was going to start a game.

And I was just curious, when is the last time a team in the playoffs, or at least the championship series, that started three rookies in a series? And it only happened one other time in history.

Again, this isn't my nugget.

This comes from the Sport Radar Slack channel link that I have on my computer here.

And they said the other time was in 2020.

I mean, how rare is that to have that many guys that you would trust to get the final three outs of a postseason game?

[laughs]

But sometimes I do these speaking engagements, and one of the things I tell them is, "You know, I think what set me apart personally, um, is that I was coming up the ranks, I wanted to play in the big leagues.

That was my goal.

I wanted to play in the big leagues.

I wanted to play in the big leagues." And, you know, there's some kids out there that they just wanna make their high school team, and that was it.

They're like, that was their goal.

"I just wanna make the high school team.

As much as we talk about the starting pitching, who got them there and didn't give up many runs at all, the bullpen as a pitcher in the analysis and watching them work and the moves that, that, that were made, give me all your thoughts on the way the bullpen performed a-and not just, like, individually with Ashby, but how do you just do this overall? It's amazing.

[laughs]

But sometimes I do these speaking engagements, and one of the things I tell them is, "You know, I think what set me apart personally, um, is that I was coming up the ranks, I wanted to play in the big leagues.

That was my goal.

I wanted to play in the big leagues.

I wanted to play in the big leagues." And, you know, there's some kids out there that they just wanna make their high school team, and that was it.

They're like, that was their goal.

"I just wanna make the high school team.

A- and not just, like, individually with Ashby, but how do you just do this overall? It's amazing.

But I, you know, normal fan watching isn't gonna get it or think it's that big of a deal, but I, I think there is some type of difference, uh, when that guy that's not used to sitting down and waiting has to wait

waitYeah, I don't know how many times, uh, Ma- Mason Miller did it this year, but I do know that even out in San Diego, Trevor Magill, even though they got swept in that series, Trevor Magill came out, uh, pitched a scoreless inning, and I think sat, came back out, I think it was extra innings, and still did well.

And in fact, they traveled to LA the next day, and then he actually pitched and I think got a save in that game.

So back to back.

One of them was multiple innings.

Um, so he had done it at least once this year.

I think he'd maybe done it another time.

Right.

Is there a name in the lineup that you're kind of pointing your finger to that goes, okay, if he could hit a three-run homer, then all that other stuff that they were doing in the regular season's only gonna be magnified?

Yeah, I think Contreras, Andrew Vaughn, uh, Jake Bowers, Bryce Turang.

I think those guys are the ones that all season long have come up clutch with a big homer, like out of nowhere.

Just when you think the game's out of, out of reach or they, they're not gonna be in it, uh, it's a game-shifting home run.

It could be in the third inning, it could be in the seventh inning.

But you know those games where you're like, it's completely momentum going one direction.

Those four names stick out.

Yeah.

Do they get a notepad out and study those games, or do they already know everything they would need to know about these two teams?

Well, number one, I got advanced scouts that are out there for months, you know, weeks, whatever it is to try and make sure they get everything.

That's why you ever see a guy like a Brewers guy bunt on a pitcher and the pitcher picks up and throws it into right field or, you know, down the line somewhere because some advanced scouts somewhere saw that this guy has trouble.

fielding his position.

And so then that gets put into, you know, all the data.

So when they're a guy comes in on the bullpen and they're all over huddled, you know, talking about the pitcher, they're like, Hey, can this guy feel this position? And no, he can't.

Yes, he can.

Hey, what do you make of the Yellich being anointed a captain thing? Vince is concerned that it's being done as a way to make him feel better about himself because it hasn't been a Yellich-type year.

Do they get a notepad out and study those games, or do they already know everything they would need to know about these two teams?

Well, number one, I got advanced scouts that are out there for months, you know, weeks, whatever it is to try and make sure they get everything.

That's why you ever see a guy like a Brewers guy bunt on a pitcher and the pitcher picks up and throws it into right field or, you know, down the line somewhere because some advanced scouts somewhere saw that this guy has trouble.

fielding his position.

And so then that gets put into, you know, all the data.

So when they're a guy comes in on the bullpen and they're all over huddled, you know, talking about the pitcher, they're like, Hey, can this guy feel this position? And no, he can't.

Yes, he can.

Hey, what do you make of the Yellich being anointed a captain thing? Vince is concerned that it's being done as a way to make him feel better about himself because it hasn't been a Yellich-type year.

Do they get a notepad out and study those games, or do they already know everything they would need to know about these two teams?

Well, number one, I got advanced scouts that are out there for months, you know, weeks, whatever it is to try and make sure they get everything.

That's why you ever see a guy like a Berber's guy bunt on a pitcher and the pitcher picks up and throws it into right field or, you know, down the line somewhere because some advanced scouts somewhere saw that this guy has trouble.

fielding his position and so then that gets put into you know all the data so when they're a guy comes in on the bullpen and they're all over huddled you know talking about the pitcher they're like hey can this guy feel this position and no he can't yes he can uh can this guy hold runners yes he can no he can't so like they're very well rounded and it's not just hey how do we beat this particular guy it's how do we beat all of them you know what are their weaknesses what are their strengths And then and then you have all this game prep, you know, but I think that's what's interesting about all of it is they don't really care who they play.

You know, I mean, I know guys will talk and, oh, I think we have an advantage here or here, but nobody really cares.

They're just doing their prep work on whoever it may be.

Hey, what do you make of the Yellich being anointed a captain thing? Vince is concerned that it's being done as a way to make him feel better about himself because it hasn't been a Yellich-type year.

I mean, there's only three captains across.

Do they get a notepad out and study those games, or do they already know everything they would need to know about these two teams?

Well, number one, I got advanced scouts that are out there for months, you know, weeks, whatever it is to try and make sure they get everything.

That's why you ever see a guy like a Berber's guy bunt on a pitcher and the pitcher picks up and throws it into right field or, you know, down the line somewhere because some advanced scouts somewhere saw that this guy has trouble.

fielding his position and so then that gets put into you know all the data so when they're a guy comes in on the bullpen and they're all over huddled you know talking about the pitcher they're like hey can this guy feel this position and no he can't yes he can uh can this guy hold runners yes he can no he can't so like they're very well rounded and it's not just hey how do we beat this particular guy it's how do we beat all of them you know what are their weaknesses what are their strengths And then and then you have all this game prep, you know, but I think that's what's interesting about all of it is they don't really care who they play.

You know, I mean, I know guys will talk and, oh, I think we have an advantage here or here, but nobody really cares.

They're just doing their prep work on whoever it may be.

Hey, what do you make of the Yellich being anointed a captain thing? Vince is concerned that it's being done as a way to make him feel better about himself because it hasn't been a Yellich-type year.

I mean, there's only three captains across.

Other than just Cooper Pratt showing up and maybe putting pressure on him, what made Joey Ortiz all of a sudden just become a hitter?

Well, I, I think he's a, a fantastic player.

I, uh, number one, and I think it probably was getting to him, and it should too.

It should.

E-every player is gonna go through this at some point in their career, where you look over your shoulder and somebody's coming.

And I think he knew that.

I think that was kind of burdening him.

You're ready to go.

Mizorowski right now when you get to a playoff rotation again we have a month left injuries can happen all this stuff can happen I'm just saying like as we sit here right now outside of Mizorowski I would say Henderson's probably the second best pitcher in this rotation as we sit

I think so.

And what a fun contrast, right? You see Jacob Mizorowski, who's 6'7", throws 100 plus miles an hour.

His extension down the mound, he has trouble with the mounds because he's putting his feet and having to do things that most guys don't even get to that part of the mound at all.

And then you got Logan Henderson, who pitches the next day.

He's six foot.

Very little extension across the board.

Simple question, what changed?

But how big was it to go in and get three out of four at Dodger Stadium this past weekend?

Well, I think it, it kinda shows the, the mindset of a baseball player.

Um, you know, y- you...

They wake up on a road trip, and they have to remember, "Okay, what city are we in?" You know, that's how baseball players are.

They're just like, "All right, where am I? Okay, I'm in San Diego.

And who are we facing tonight? Okay, so we got this." And you start doing your game prep, and then you start getting yourself ready.

Uh, and then you go out there, and you play the best you can.

Right.

Just what are the vibes?

Yeah, it can go one or two ways.

It's usually pretty depressing at times, but you've got to make it fun somehow.

So even though you're losing, it doesn't mean there isn't some bright sides.

If Andrew Vaughn's on the mound for the first time, guys are on the top step checking it out, supporting their guy out there because he's going out there because things have not gone well at all.

I remember there was a game that was kind of like this earlier in the year, and I can't remember exactly what Gary Sanchez did, but he did something.

I don't know if he was like challenging or on a pitch that was like in the dirt or something.

So do you trust what you've built? Or do you see that shiny prize and think we could have three guys, Scooble, Miz, possibly Kyle Harrison, that makes a very formidable roster of starters that can go six-plus innings in the postseason?

Just what are the vibes?

Yeah, it can go one or two ways.

You know, it's usually pretty depressing at times, but you got to make it fun somehow.

So even though you're losing, doesn't mean there isn't some bright sides.

You know, if Andrew Vaughn's on the mound for the first time, like guys are on the top step, checking it out, you know, supporting their guy out there because he's going out there because things have not gone well at all.

I remember there was a game that was kind of like this earlier in the year, and I can't remember exactly what Gary Sanchez did, but he did something.

I don't know if he was like challenging or on a pitch that was like in the dirt or something.

So do you trust what you've built? Or do you see that shiny prize and think we could have three guys, Scooble, Miz, possibly Kyle Harrison, that makes a very formidable roster of starters that can go six-plus innings in the postseason?

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It's probably more common than you think.

Oh, it is common.

It actually happens a lot.

Yes, agreed.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

This is, we hear it from other teams all the time, you know, like whether a storm's going through or whether, it could be anything is like capacity.

Is the day off beneficial on a West Coast trip when you're coming from the Midwest or the East Coast to have that day off in between? Or as a player, would you rather just play straight through and get out of there and get home? Or do you like the day off to kind of, I don't know, reset, readjust your body to the time frame, whatever else, and then go back and have another series?

Do the Brewers have an edge going up against him because they know him as well as they do?

Maybe.

Here's one thing about Freddie.

I was teammates with him a long time ago.

he rises to the occasion.

So he knows that he's going to be pitching against people that know everything about him, a catcher that's caught him before, knows all of his tricks, the defense that's seen all of his pitches for years, and he is going to come out with some sort of plan That is great.

It doesn't matter what season he's been having before.

Why not bring him back to a familiar setting and maybe he can be a fourth or fifth guy for you?

What do you expect to see from him?

I think he wanted to pitch.

I think he wanted to pitch against Skeans in Pittsburgh, and they're trying to limit some innings, and there's really no guidebook on how to do that.

Uh, they can look at what, you know, the Pirates tried to do with Skeans a few years ago.

Um, but, but they know that he's gonna reach and exceed his innings limit of whatever they set in place.

So, uh, this was one of those ways.

Do we give him rest now so that he's, uh, maybe more online for the second half? You know, even though it's not really a half.

Do the Brewers have an edge going up against him because they know him as well as they do?

What do you expect to see from him?

I think he wanted to pitch.

I think he wanted to pitch against Skeens in Pittsburgh, and they're trying to limit some innings, and there's really no guidebook on how to do that.

Uh, they can look at what, you know, the Pirates tried to do with Skeens a few years ago.

Um, but, but they know that he's gonna reach and exceed his innings limits of whatever they set in place.

So, uh, this was one of those ways.

Do we give him rest now so that he's, uh, maybe more online for the second half? You know, even though it's not really a half.

Do the Brewers have an edge going up against him because they know him as well as they do?

What have you taken away from watching Ortiz as his offensive game has really picked up?

up?Yeah, I, well, he's been going out early a little bit.

Several times I saw him, especially at home.

Didn't see as much early hitting on the road.

I know the, uh, they did maybe once in Arizona, maybe once in St. Louis.

But between rains and tarps and things like that, some of these guys didn't get the swings on the field that they usually get.

Uh, but what I've seen from Joey is that he just, the strikeouts are, have plummeted.

What's the biggest difference, you know, maybe other than the velocity of Mizorowski, but what's the biggest difference between those two guys right now if there is a significant difference between those two guys, Mizorowski and s- and Skeens?

What, what's he missing? What's, what's that, that 10% or 5% or whatever that's maybe kinda getting in his way right now?

I think it's throwing strikes.

When you go back to yesterday's game, it was, it was a tough watch.

He was grinding every single at bat, 20 plus pitches every single inning.

Um, and the stuff is too good to be throwing that many balls.

It really is.

There's guys that have half of his stuff that flip it up there for strikes more often than not.

I gotta go find something else to do one way or the other." To stick with it and then to get up here, that, to me, that's a pretty cool story from a fan perspective.

At what point do you start looking towards the minors to say, hey, maybe some of these guys can come up and start helping us?

Well, I mean...

There's plenty of quotes out there where you don't mess with a winning streak, and this team is playing well, so why mess with anything? But I understand that there's a lot of forums out there trying to say, hey, you need to do this and you need to do that, but that's not our job.

that's Matt Arnold's job.

He's done a great job.

And he's going to determine the time to make changes.

And you feel bad for some guys.

But once you get to the postseason, do you still have to look and go, you've got to find somebody that's going to be a real threat that everybody that you come up against in the postseason fears?

Um, does that good fundamental baseball lend itself to being a resilient team?

Well, if you're only relying on the home run, then if I'm a pitcher coming into the game, all I gotta do is keep you from hitting the home run.

So the other stuff needs to come into play for the Brewers, and they make pitchers throw 20, 25 pitches every inning.

That's when they're doing their most damage because they're getting in the bullpen early in the series and just wreaking havoc.

And when they get on the base paths, even before they steal, because of their style of play, uh, pitchers are al- already worried about 'em.

So I...

And when you have that many ways to beat another team, you, you're not reliant on just one thing.

Mm.

How impressed were you with that performance?

Yeah, I mean, I think he's been hurt before in other games.

First batter gets him, and it's like, okay, and then he settles in.

But I tell you, you're getting ready for one of the biggest games of your life outside of, right, all-star game or playoffs.

And, like, you're starting opening day.

You have all of this stuff.

All these guys have worked so hard in the offseason.

Do you have a thought as to what direction this whole thing is going to go before it's all said and done as we kind of watch this 2026 season unfold?