PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Random thoughts on Philly sports...

* Good for Rhys Hoskins. Being forced to play left field ( his natural position is first base) only three days before being called up to the majors, then being thrust into the clean-up spot in the line-up, Hoskins blasted his third home run in two games last night vs.  San Diego ( another loss).

Fans are asking, why wasn't Hoskins called up sooner? Because, GM Matt Klentak is a jerk. He has no plan for the organization, no plan for the young players. He is winging it.

Needless to say, if manager Pete Mackanin is fried at the end of the year ( and he probably will), then Klentak needs to go too. I can't think of one thing he has done right, from trades to free agent signings to the way he has handled the club.

If Andy MacFailure and John Middleton have any guts they will show Klentak the door and monitor his  "exit velocity." I can't picture this guy taking the Phils to a championship, let along make trades or even picking prospects in next year's draft.

The organization is at a crossroads. Do we really trust Matt Klentak to do the right things?

* Iw ould love to see Hoskins, Alfaro, Williams and others do well for the rest of the season, if only to prove so-called "experts" in the media, such as Marcus Hayes, Todd Zelecki and Kevin Cooney ( all shills for the Phillies' organization)  are total idiots.

Most of the media have surprisingly sided with Klentak in his moves. Only media members such as Angelo Cataldi and Howard Eskin have been honest not to kiss the Phillies' asses.

* I pick the Eagles to go 10-6 this season, but i'd be lying if I said that coach Doug Pederson doesn't worry me. I like his aggressiveness but it's one thing to be aggressive and another to be stupid. When it comes to the big stage and a critical call id warranted, will he choke, like in the Cowboy game last season in Dallas?

I also didn't like the way Pederson defended his questionable moves afterwards, even when the media, fans, everyone knew he screwed up. Even after the fact, it was like he didn't at least learn from the stupidity.

I also don't like his play-calling at times. He tends to get too cute instead of sticking with what works and using his personnel wisely. Such as, the Birds went out and got RB LaGarret Blount to get the tough, 3rd down short yardage and goal line situations. In the first pre-season game against Green Bay Pederson tried to out-smart himself and not use Blount in those short-yardage downs.

Why even get Blount if your'e not gong to use him in those situations? it makes no sense.

Speaking of running, I also fear QB Carson Wentz is going to throw the ball 40 times a game again. The eagles need a consistent running game to eat up the clock, maintiain ball control and take the heat off Wentz. That all comes down to Pederson.

So while I believe the team is improved and should be competitive in the division, when the lights turn on during the big games, I see Pederson shriveling up and not being able to meet the challenge. I hope I'm wrong.

* I still can't believe the Sixers don't seem to have a policy regarding accessible seating. The Phillies and Eagles are awesome when it comes to accessibility and making sure disabled fans are comfortable and get their tickets without hassle. The Flyers have a different policy but still re very accommodating.

Not so the Sixers. Seems like the organization is sort of clumsy with all the increased volume of interest in the team. It's a business, which I get, but by the same token it's not right to rip the fans off, the same fans who suffered a long time with a team that sucked and an organization that was trying to lose on purpose.

*  I see Tommy Joseph as being traded after the season. He's still only 26 and n average player, but in the right package, a team should be willing to take him on. He has no place on the Phils if Hoskins blossoms as expected.

Freddy Galvis has played a lot of baseball the last two seasons. He may be wearing down a bit, as he is slumping. Ina few weeks, if not sooner, prospect J.P. Crawford should be up.We know what we have in Freddie, a tremendous defender, an average bat with surprising pop, and a leader on the field and off as  well.

What don't know what we have yet in Crawford,a t one time the franchise's prized prospect. Time to bring him up in September and see what he can do for a few weeks. Time to look forward to 2018 and beyond.

Unfortunately Scott Kingery isn't in the same boat. Because of service years issues, the Phillies probably won't promote him until spring training or even next May. Hopefully he forces their hand and comes up sooner then May.

Dylan Cozens, the Bash brother with Hoskins, should be called up. true, his average is low and he stills trikes out a ton, but isn't this the time to see what he can do? What do you have to lose?

I see Cozens hitting titanic homers at Citizens Bank Park, giving the fans something to watch and a home run hitter we haven't seen in ages (since Ryan Howard).

*  Five Sports Personalities in Philly I Really Like:

1 .Carson Wentz
2 .Joel Embiid
3. Pete Mackanin
4 .Brett Brown
5 .Howie Roseman

Five Sports Personalities in Philly I Really Dislike:

1 .Matt Klentak
2. Odubel Hherrera
3. Joshua Harris
4. Dave Hackstol
5 .Doug Pederson

Five Philly Sports Media guys I Really Like:

1 .Ray Didinger
2. Angelo Cataldi
3.Howard Eskin
4 .Ricky Bottalico
5. ( Tie).Seth Joyner, Larry Andersen, John Kruk

Five Philly Sports Media Guys I Really Dislike:

1 .Marcus Hayes
2 .Kevin Cooney
3.Todd Zelecki
4 .Sam Donnellin
5..Big Daddy Graham