* The Phillies are reported to be ready to hire Gabe Kapler, head of player development for the Dodgers, as their new manager.
On face value it seems like a stupid decision, typical of GM Matt Klentak. Let's face it- the front office fired Pete Mackanin to get their own guy. Kapler is a young, analytics guy. He has never managed a team, but supposedly is a good communicator and good evaluating young talent.
I don't understand not giving Joe Girardi at least an interview. You can't really call Girardi a "retread", bouncing from team to team. He just piloted a young team to the brink of the World Series. His firing from the Yankees was a surprise, so it seems Klentak & co. already had their mind set on Kapler.
Of course, the comparisons will be made to the actor- comic Gabe Kaplin, the guy form "Welcome Back Kotter." Since I really don't know the new Kapler, I'm willing to give him a chance before burying him and Klentak.
Klentak's neck is on the line now. Even team president Andy MacFailure said that "every general manager has a limited amount of managers". So, If Kapler fails, so will Klentak.
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The Sixers medical staff finally admitted- in a cleverly press release, timed late Sunday afternoon moments after the Eagles victory- that rookie No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz has a shoulder problem, and will be out "indefinitely." He has a problem with the scapula bone in the back of the right shoulder. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
It was pretty obvious with the naked eye that Fultz was hurt. He couldn't shoot. Yet the Sixers' doctors cleared him to play, anyway..
The entire organization is a disgrace and a joke.
The 76'ers play in Houston tonight against the Rockets.
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* What a wild Game 5 of the World Series last night! The Astros beat the Dodgers, 13-12 in 10 innings. They overcome a 4-0 deficit and Clayton Kershaw to get the victory.
It had looked like Kershaw had finally beat his post-season woes, after pitching well in Game 1 and in the series before against the Cubs. The Astros have a good, young team, especially their hitters, who are relentless.
Houston takes a 3-2 lead in the series, as they travel back to Los Angeles for the deciding game (s). Justin Verlander can give the Astros their first-ever world championship. The Dodgers have home field advantage . It's going to be a war in LA.
I picked the Dodgers to win in six. That won't happen. My heart is with Houston, so if they do close it out, it will be a satisfying conclusion to a great baseball season.
Chase Utley did not play in Game 5. Neither did struggling reliever Ken Giles. Houston pitched seven hurlers, but Giles stayed in the bullpen.
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