Steve Phillips

And so I think they've really found something with Bartlett there.

And what's been great is when they get a chance to win these low scoring close games, they're winning them.

You know, those are games when your offense isn't there to be able to out pitch the opposition and to win two to one at back to back days is huge.

Those are games that can easily pivot and go in a different direction if your bullpen isn't getting the job done.

These games right here have been some of the most pivotal games in their season before you expect them likely to turn things around.

Yeah, for sure.

I think Springer's starting to come out of it a bit.

But I think Vlade needs to be the guy that when your best player plays unpredictably, it makes everybody unsettled.

But when he starts to play like you expect him to play, everybody's like, oh, okay, good, now we can be ourselves because our best guy is being himself.

And so I do think there's been some of that effect.

And I think Springer struggles early.

You know, we're part of that, too.

Now, Springer has played better since coming back after missing a little time with the foot and coming back into it.

And, you know, and then if they get Kirk back and they get Barger back, then you start to get, you know, Barger's kind of high energy guy, too.

You know, he brings a lot of that.

Kirk just gives you that big two out hit, that strike hit that he drives to right field and drives in a run.

And so, you know, and when he hits a double and he rolls into second base, I think that, you know, there's some part of that celebration that everybody's sort of smiling, laughing, and enjoying it.

But it does feel like they're starting to come out of it.

And there is a haze that happens when you win and you go there.

And, you know, there's a part of it that feels like, okay, we're just going to do what we did last year.