PHILLY SPORTS CORNER

Stop with Vince Valasquez already! I wish the Phillies would start using Valasquez as their closer, if not starting now, then in spring training.

As proven again last night, Valasquez can't go more than 5 or 6 innings as a starter. He threw 94 pitches on only 5 innings against Colorado Friday.

The Phils said they would rather him be a starter, pitching 160 innings a year as opposed to 60 as a relief pitcher. But right now, maybe he goes 5 innings per start twice a week, whereas , as a closer, he may pitch 3 or 4 times a week.

He can throw 98 m.p.h. , so why not let him throw fastballs as a closer and get strike outs a like he wants. The Phillies don't really have a closer currently. Hector Neris has been the man most of the eyar, but he's been inconsistent. He's much better as a set-up guy in the 8th inning.

Luis Garcia can be a closer. but he has faltered on this road trip in late innings. He's 30, so he wouldn't be the closer of the future.

GM Matt Klentak traded away a young, stud closer in Ken Giles. He is flourishing ni Houston, helping the Astros reach the playoffs this year.  I didn't have a problem with the front office trading Giles when they did. It's a luxury to have a prime time closer in the back of your bullpen on a bad team. How many times does he close?

My problem is in what Klentak got in return for Giles. Valasquz, Tom Eiselman, a pitcher at Lehigh Valley who started the International League all-star game yet has yet to see Philadelphia, and Brett Oberholtzer, who failed with the big club and was released.

So, that trade looks like a winner for Houston. Giles was only 25 when he was dealt, and under contract control for several years.

Anyway, Valasquez is proving he isn't a starter for this team in the future. He could make his case now, in this dreadful season, step up as Nola and Pivetta have. But he hasn't. In fact, he hurt his elbow earlier in the season.

Valasquez needs to go to the bullpen. I hope the Phillies are smart enough to see it for themselves.

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Aaron Alterr hurt his hamstring again last night vs. the Rockies. It's cool that he wants to come back before it's expected, but he and the organization have to think long-term with this guy. He's still young- 26- and has shown he's a keeper for the future. Why rush him back, especially when the games don't matter.

Altherr did enough to prove himself in 2017. He is definitely in the mix for an outfield spot in 2018. He has power, speed, is hitting close to .290, and plays smooth defensively.

We know what Daniel Nava can do. Plus, now that he is off the DL, he said be part of an August waiver trade. He is also on a 2-year deal an dis not part of the future.

I know that Dylan Cozens is only hitting in the .220s and is striking out a ton for the Iron Pigs. But he also has 23 home runs. Why not give him a shot with the big league club? Look what Nick Williams has done. See what you've got in Cozens so you know how to plan next season and beyond.

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Former Eagles coach Dick ?Vermeil is predicting that the Birds will go 12-4 this upcoming season. Hey, I think they are improved too and have a great chance to win the NFC East and make the playoffs ( I have them going 10-6). But 12 wins?

Interestingly, Ray Didinger, respected veteran journalist in the city, has them  for 8, maybe 9 wins. He cites the difficult schedule, especially the first two road games, as keys. He is correct on saying the secondary is a big concern. And Ray usually knows what he is talking about.

I see it in the middle. Dallas won't be as good. Washington has problems, and the Giants just don't seem like a contender to me.

But 12 wins? Great if they can do it. Just making the playoffs isn't good enough anymore. Securing one of the two byes is important. getting that week off at the end of the year is crucial for a long playoff run. Home field advantage is big as  well.

12 wins would do it. I just don't know if the Eagles are that close to the Super Bowl yet. I see them as needing another 1 or 2 good drafts, as Carson Wentz grows.

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Finally, I'll make my pro football predictions in a few weeks. But one thing I'm pretty sure about right now: New England will be tough to beat yet again.

They are brimming with confidence after their miracle comeback win against Atlanta in the Super Bowl last season. Tom Brady won't let them get over-confident, along with Coach Bill Belachek.

The AFC EAST is pretty much a cakewalk for the Patriots, as it has been for years. With Miami's Ryan Tannehill going down with a knee injury in training camp, the Dolphins are already up against the ropes. Buffalo is still mediocre and the pitiful Jets are just that, even worse than last year.

So, New England steamrolls through their division, gets home field advantage in the playoffs, and who wants to play in cold, snowy New England in January? They may have the greatest home field advantage in football.

Sure teams like Oakland, Pittsburgh, Denver always have a shot. but right now I can't see anyone beating the Pats in the AFC.