PHILLY SPORTS CORNER- PHILLIES, FLYERS

- Damn straight Gabe Kapler deserved to get booed yesterday during the home opener. The fans had the perfect opportunity to voice their anger and frustrations when Kapler pulled Pivetta in the 6th inning. It was the right move, but Kapler was finally the target for the fans' wrath after a season-opening road trip of bad moves and poor decisions.

You're never sure if Kpaler reads the paper or listens to the radio. So the fans unloaded while they had the chance. There were boos during the pre-game introductions, but PA announcer Dan Baker briskly moved over the boos ( did Baker do that on his own or was he told to quickly move on?).

I think the lusty boos which rained all over Citizens Bank Park  were also targeted for the front office, specifically geeky GM Matt Klentek and the whole concept of analytics. It made be the future of sports, but fans are telling Klentek and Kapler to also use  old fashioned common sense as well.

What made the boos cool was that as Kapler stood on the mound and made a pitching change he had no where to hide. He had to hear the boos. He heard them again as he walked back to the dugout.

If Kapler didn't come off as being arrogant, if he admitted his mistakes and vowed not to repeat them, maybe the fans would cut him a break. Not his fault he is doing on-the-job training- that's Klentek's fault. But Kapler doesn't think he was wrong in pulling Aaron Nola on opening day, and would do it again.

You only get a chance to make a first impression once. Kapler blew his shot. It's gonna take a helluva lot of winning to make the fans have faith in Kapler now. I think the boos will continue until fans see that analytics and all of these odd moves are resulting in wins.

- Franco and Hernandez had good games in the home opener, as the Phillies shutout Miami 5-0. Franco was only a double away from the cycle. Hernandez was on base five times. Walks were more prevalent than strikeouts. Pivetta pitched great with nine strikeouts. The much-beleaguered bullpen pitched great.

I still think Scott Kingery needs to hit at the top of the lineup, using his speed and energy to set the table. Kingery played right field yesterday but could shortstop  be his future, especially if J.P. Crawford continues to struggle?

- Nice to see the team being aggressive, stealing bases and putting pressure on the  opposition. Playing small-ball and stressing fundamentals should be key.

- The Phillies organization always does ceremonies well. Before the game a video tribute to Roy Halliday was  shown.It's just the first of a season-long  tribute to Doc, culminating in Halliday being inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame  in August.

- It's stupid to have baseball in winter-like weather. If Baseball insists on starting the season so early, why not have all games out west and down south for the first two weeks? No home opener should occur before April 15th at the least.

- Eagles head coach Doug Pederson threw out the firs pitch and tossed a perfect strike to Rhys Hoskins. Pederson got the biggest cheers of the afternoon, followed by an Eagles cheer.

- Nick Williams is frustrated about playing time and was quoted after the game that "Maybe the computers are filling out the lineups". Williams is a young player who has the right to voice his honest opinion, but it's not a good look. Are other players equally frustrated but not as verbal? Since Klentek hasn't made trades to clear the crowded outfield situation, Kapler is shuffling his players, trying to keep all fresh and give them enough at-bats to stay sharp. If Williams plays better in the chances he does have to play he may play more. Many of the hitters have struggled early,  Give Williams credit for being honest, if to a fault.

- The Flyers won a big game last night, defeating Carolina, but still not clinching a playoff spot. They have one game left in the regular season, Saturday afternoon at home vs the lowly Rangers. One point  gets them into the postseason. Florida, trailing the orange and black by four points, has a game in hand, playing Buffalo then finishing at Boston. Goalie Brian Elliot returned form injury and struggled but I'd rather see him in the nets than any other goalie on the roster.

- Meanwhile the Sixers clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight in South Philly. Both teams ar etied for the No. 3 slot in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. The 76ers go for 13 wins in a row.

- What a sports weekend! Tonight it's a big Sixers game vs LeBron and the Cavs. Saturday it's the Flyers in the afternoon and Phillies at night. The Sunday it's Jake Arrieta's debut with the Phils. Include the Masters golf tournament all weekend.With the weather feeling more like January then April it will be a good weekend to chill and watch great local sports.