* The Phillies won their Clearwater home opener yesterday after noon in warm, sunny Florida, beating Baltimore 9-6.
* Starting pitcher Zak Eflin looked sharp, going two inning. Eflin's key this season is to stay health and use his sinkerball to induce ground balls. His fastball isn't good enough to blow hitters away, but he's got good action on his sinker, which plays huge in cozy Citizens Bank Park. His past outstanding outings at Dodger Stadium, in Pittsburgh and up at Citi Field against the Mets shows he's got what it takes to grab one of the open spots in the rotation this spring.
On the other hand, Jake Thompson struck out three in his inning of work but still labored. control is his big issue. Thompson is lumped into the group of average-looking prospects like Pivetta, Eikhoff, Eflin, Lively, Eflin, Leiter Jr. and Velasquez to name a few.Some one needs to step up and take the bull by the horns. With jobs open, this is a great time to separate who wants it bad enough and who doesn't.
* Questions abound:
- Will Santana hit lead off? Hoskins second? Judge hit second last summer for the Yankees.
- When will Kingery play in Philly?
- Who wins back-up catcher- Rupp or Knapp?
- Will Altherr and Williams platoon in OF?
- Will Phillies sign free agent pitcher?
* The Phils host the underdog Yankees today in Clearwater. Will Stanton and/or Judge play for New York?
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Amazing! Since the Super Bowl, our two winter teams have gone an incredible 16-0-1. Ok, maybe the Flyers have been the best team in hockey since December 1. And maybe the red-hot Sixers are playing easier opponents. Still, I disagree with guys like Mike Sieski and Kevin Cooney, know-nothing writers who have been wrong before, who say this winning momentum has absolutely nothing to do with the eagles winning a world championship.
The players, coaches, owners and fans have taken a "why not us" mentality to sports in Philadelphia, now that the birds proved that the impossible can happen.
Both the Flyers and 76ers are young teams finally coming into their own. They will each make the playoffs and may even win a round or two. I don't believe this is merely a coincidence of luck and winning. It's a matter of confidence and enthusiasm. The city professional sports teams have both now. It's a new era in Philly sports. A new day has dawned since February 4. No looking back now. Savor and enjoy it- it's gonna be a long , fun ride!
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