- The fun, fantastic Phillies sweep the Pirates in their 4-game series. First time the Phils have swept a 4-game series from Pittsburgh since 1983. They are now 14-7 on the season, only 1/2 game behind the Mets for first place in NL East. They are 9-1 at Citizens Bank Park, with six games left in this current home stand.
- Aaron Altherr didn't start again yesterday but ended up going 3-3 and getting the game-winning hit in the 11th inning ( his first walk-off hit in his career). After looking listless most of the game the team came alive late, rallied once again and beat Pittsburgh.
The Bucs came into Philadelphia with a 12-6 record and first place in NL Central. They limp out of town 12-10 and behind both St. Louis and Milwaukee.
- Big games coming up this week at home as the streaking Phillies face a team with an even better record (15-6), the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona made the playoffs last year, getting swept by the Dodgers. They are leading the West. They always play well in Philly, led by All-Star Paul Goldschmidt.The Phils have been beating up lesser teams, like the Reds, Rays and Marlins. Now let's see how they match-up with a really good club like the D-backs.
Atlanta comes to CBP this weekend, after beating the Phillies 4 out of 6 games in Atlanta early in the season. The Braves should be close in the division, so revenge will be on the Phillies' minds.
- Manager Gabe Kapler is smiling more and seems much more relaxed. OK< it was probably premature to call for his firing after the first few games of the season when Kapler was relying heavily on analytics and making odd baseball decisions. I think the reception he got from the media and fans during the teams' initial home stand was a wake-up call for Kapler. He is managing to blend analytics ( now called "information") with common sense and old-school managing. He is still platooning players at an alarming rate, but has stabilized the bullpen. As long as he keeps winning his quiry style and personality will fly in Philadelphia.
- The Flyers surrendered an embarrassing 18 goals in three playoff home losses to the penguins. They simply didn't deserve to win. How can a team play so well in 2 of 3 games in Pittsburgh yet look so damn bad at home? The Pens intimidated the young Flyers.After going up 4-2 yesterday afternoon, when it looked like the series would shift back to Pittsburgh for a deciding Game 7, the Flyers choked.
- As stated previously, the Flyers aren't going anywhere without a true No.1 goalie and a new coach. They were too inconsistent all season, often without emotion.
- Both the Sixers and Flyers are young, upcoming teams. Between our two winter teams, why do the 76ers look so confident and the Flyers looked so passive? Talent has a lot to do with it. But in Nolan Patrick, the Orange and Black have a high draft selection. Both squads are sprinkled with veterans. So why have the Sixers' vets ( like Reddick and Bellinelli) stepped up while the Flyers' vets ( Simmonds, Giroux) were invisible in the playoffs? Why is one team practically unbeatable at home yet another looked jittery in front of their home crowd?
-Speaking of the red-hot Sixers, they can finish the heat Tuesday night in South Philly. I think they will. Who is gonna stop them? If Embiid isn't playing well, Simmons steps up. And so on and so on.
- The Eagles reworked guard Brandon Brooks' contract to free more cap space. Howie Rossman is gearing up for the draft later this week. Look for more wheelin' and dealin'.
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