PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

My current take on Philly sports..

PHILLIES-

* The team goes for seven losses nia row tonight in Boston. Once again Jerad (Overrated) Eichoff couldn't hold a four-run lead. Then the bullpen blew it as disappointing old guy, Joquin Benoit gave up a game-tying homer to Handley Ramierz in the 8th inning. The Phils would go on and lose in 11 innings, 6-5.

Even when the Phils scored 4 runs in the 1st inning last night, one had the sense they were going to choke somehow. They just can't match-up with good teams like the Red Sox, who chipped away, stayed close and came out on top.

Pete Mackanin made a questionable move late in the game, using reliable reliever Pat Neshak for only 7  pitches of a 1-2-3 7th inning, then failing to let him go back out in the 8th. When asked why not let his best relief pitcher this season pitch a tie game into the 8th inning Mackanin stupidly muttered "I didn't want to use him up."

For what? So Neshak can pitch in a meaningless game tonight? You have a chance to finally win a freaking game and you're worried of "using a guy up" when he has only thrown seven pitches?

Mackanin's managing has been shaky at best this entire year. He's lucky he got that contract extension when he did.

* Howie Kendrick may give you an extra bat in the line-up, but at second base he is brutal, committing his third error there in only 15 chances. Makes you appreciate Cesar Hernandez. By the same token, Scott Kingery should've been called up from Reading to man second base until Hernandez returns.

The Phillies must have zero confidence in these prospects-and scouts and coaches- to not do what the Yankees are doing, going with the kids. New York is up in American League East, and rookie Aron Judge is leading the way, hitting 22 homers already.

* Speaking of the future, the organization drafted outfield Adam Haseley from Virginia with the 8th overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft last night. Haseley is said to "have all the tools", hitting for average, power, runs OK. Said one scout, he reminds you of a Mickey Moniak, another outfielder the Phillies drafted at no.1 last June.

The club seems to be drafting all of the same kind of players. They took yet another outfielder in 2015, selecting Cornelius Randolph, who lead draft guy Johnny Alverez said at the time he was "the best hitter in the draft.

Randolph is hitting .240 this season and has been battling nagging injuries during his first two years in pro ball.

The Phillies took right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard in the second round. He is described as a "power pitcher." topping off anywhere between 91-96 mph. Both of the first two picks were college players, which the organization seems to be in favor of for more immediate help. Moniak and  Randoloh were both drafted out of high school. Maybe they have higher projected ceiling but this team needs help now, not  five years from now.

* The media in Philadelphia has been soft on the Phillies organization during this destined 100-loss season. Guys like Todd Zelecki, Jim Salsberry and even broadcaster Tom McCarthy often find excuses for the Phillies'  bad play, afraid to mention that this group of players may just  not be good enough.

Give credit to Ricky Bottalico for being brutally honest during his post-game rants on Comcast. Someone needs to be honest. If only Stan Hockman was still around.

EAGLES-

So, it sounds like the Birds did reach out to WR Jeremy Maclin .It came down to the Eagles and Ravens for his services and once again the Eagles were shunned. Baltimore needs a good receiver. Mackin signed a 2-year deal. Interesting how the organization has been talking up how good WR Nelson Aglohor has looking in early OTAs., yet the birds were willing to add ex-Eagle Maclin,

Mandatory OTA's today, then after this week, the players are off until mid-July and training camp. Malcontent Marcus Smith finally came into camp, after missing time  during the early OTAs. He's not going to make the team now anyway.

MORE-

As predicted, the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship last bight. Golden State beat on the Cavaliers in five games.

Which brings up \an interesting thought: Which current champion has the best shot of becoming a dynasty? The Warriors, Cubs, Penguins or Patriots?

The Pens have already won two in a row, a mini-dynasty. As long as Crosby stays healthy Pittsburgh has got a chance.They could win more cups but there are rising stars in the league, like in Edmonton, so it won't be easy.

The Patriots stole the Super Bowl from Atlanta last February. In the weak AFC East, the Pats should continue their long run into the playoffs.As Brady goes, so go the Pats. So, it's conceivable they could win again.

The Cubs are already having troubles in NL Central. It's really hard to win the World Series in consecutive years. They should make the playoffs, but the Dodgers and Nationals will have a big say about who represents the National League in the East.

The Warriors stand the best chance of going on  championship run. The NBA is current;ly a watered-down league full of bad and mediocre squads. Steph Curry isn't old yet. Unless another basketball power emerges or Golden State simply gets bored and takes their crown for granted, I can easily see the Warriors winning it all yet again in 2018.