- Another win for the Phillies over the Giants last night at CPB, 4-2 With a 20-15 record, the Phil;s stay in second place in NL East, only 1/2 game behind Atlanta. Winning Washington won on the West Coast again last night, jumping ahead of losing New York, who lost to lowly Cincinnati.
- Aaron Nola was brilliant again, striking -out a career-high 12 Giants. He is swiftly becoming the ace of the staff, even with Jake Arrieta in the rotation. Nola is destined for the All-Star game with a record of 5-1, second most wins in the National League, and a terrific ERA sitting at 2.05.
Two things come to mind about Nola: Seems like only yesterday he had arm problems and there were whispers he may be injury-prone and never live up to expectations. Even in the best of times Nola was projected to be a solid No. 3 starter, maybe No. 2 at the most, but not an ace. He is proving all doubters wrong. Since he has developed his devastating change-up, which more than complements his above=average fastball and excellent curveball, he has stepped up in class.
- Carlos Santana continues to break out of his funk, blasting another homer and hitting two other balls hard on Tuesday night. Aaron Altherr slammed another homer, and Jorge Alfaro hit another long home run. The Phillies now have seven players with at least four home runs each, tied for the most in baseball.
- Hector Neris struck-out the last two Giants to save the win, but I still don't trust him, not after what I saw in Washington last Sunday. He should be on a short leash if he remains the closer. Manager Gabe Kapler must be feeling the same way, as he had Tommy Hunter start the 9th against San Francisco. Neris was awful when he imploded vs the Nationals and that shouldn't be forgotten so easily.
- Yet another stupid Facebook-only game Thursday afternoon when the Phils take on SF in the finale of their four-game series. It'a one thing to have games on Facebook to try and attract millennial baseball fans ( who really don't care about baseball anyway, and think the game is boring), but why not put the ballgame on regular TV. as well, especially for those who can't access Facebook? It's a greedy, jackass move by Major League Baseball.
- After a poor outing against the Nats last weekend, Nick Pivetta goes tonight. He usually pitches well at Citizens Bank Park.With Nola, Arrieta and Eflin pitching great, Pivetta and Valasquez need to step up and keep up, as Jared Eichoff lurks, close to coming of the disabled list.
- The Sixers try to extend their playoff series with the Celtics tonight in Boston. A win brings the series back to Philly for a wild Game 6 on Friday night. A loss and the team goes home, facing a summer full of questions and personnel decisions.
- Football season is inching closer. Eagles single-game tickets go on sale Thursday morning at 10 am. Like always, I'm sure, more than ever, all eight games wills ell-out within minutes.
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