Breaking ball and a cold. Strike three. Third strike out for Zach. He's going to just watch it go. A grand slam for Bryson Stott.

And there's a high fly ball. Deep right field. Hopper watches it fly.

From W. H.Y. This is your Friday edition of Hitting season of Philadelphia Phillies podcast.

My name is Justin Clue.

I write for baseball prospectus.

With me is Liz Rocher, the editor of Sabres Baseball Research Journal.

Hello, Liz.

Hello, Justin.

Well, the Phillies will be starting the second half of the MLB season in first place.

One of the best records in baseball, the best rotation in baseball, the All-Star Game MVP,

and a lineup and bullpen that are awaiting fortifications at the trade deadline.

And people want to see them, Liz.

An Inquirer's story today tells us that through the All-Star break, the Phillies averaged about 325,000 viewers per game within the Philly TV market on NBC Sports Philadelphia and NBC10,

according to figures obtained by the Inquirer.

That's more than any other team in baseball, including 20% more than the New York Mets,

the second most watched MLB team in the country on local TV.

That's courtesy of Rob Tourneau at The Inquirer.

Liz, did you miss the Phillies over the break?

Because it seems like everybody probably did if they're watching that much.

Actually, yeah, kind of. I didn't expect to. But, you know, it was an evening. I'm like, what's on?

Like, there's always baseball on. And I'm like, no, there's not. There's no baseball.

I was like, well, that, that stinks. I don't like it.

...