- Proud of Rhys Hoskins, who made it to the second round of the Home Run derby in Washington last night. Hoskins blasted 17 homers in Round One and slammed another 20 in Round Two. Kyle Schwarber hit 21 and made the Final Round, only to lose to Bryce Harper. Just to have a guy in the competition was great PR for Hoskins and the Phillies.
- BarStoolSports reports that Machado to the Phillies is a done deal and will be announced Wednesday morning. He may walk for free agency at the end of the year, but for at least two months, Machado gives the Phils a better chance to win the NL East and make the playoffs. The Phillies will have exclusive rights to talk to Machado for those two months and try to work out a long-term deal. Machado would also fill the ballpark. Machado would give the Phillies the bat they desperately need in their line-up.
But hold on...this morning reports say that the Dodgers have emerged as favorites to land Machado. What a bummer it would be, after getting excited, to see him go west? Maybe the reported offer of Medina, the Phillies' No. 2 prospect, Franco plus more wasn't enough? Or maybe LA just has better prospects to give Baltimore?
Failing to get Manny, after reports thrilled the fan base over the last 24 hours, would mean the Phillies organization has failed again, and we are back to square one- the team still needs help.
This may drag out more, which is killing to the fans. In the end, if they trade for Machado, there is so much to look forward to for the rest of the summer. If he does go elsewhere, it will be a major letdown but life will go on. The Phils are still in 1st place and would need to make the team better in other ways. With the huge payroll that Philly has been hoarding for years, chances are we would sign him after the season for big bucks and for many years.
- The All-Star Game is tonight. Time to review the baseball season at the unofficial halfway point of the year..
National League
East
Phillies 53-42 -
Braves 52-42 .5
Nationals 48-48 5.5
Marlins 41-57 13.5
Mets 39-55 13.5
Notes: Phillies are the surprise team in baseball. despite their flaws ( poor defense, shaky bullpen,sporadic hitting) they are in 1st and on the cusp of getting Manny Machado. We wanted an exciting, meaningful summer,with key games in September, and the Phils are giving us just that.... Atlanta has young talent, with more on the way from the best farm system in baseball. Injuries have slowed down the braves recently, but they should be neck-and-neck with Phila. and Wash. down the stretch. The Phillies and Braves play 7 games in the last two weeks of the season...Washington has been disappointing, underachieving with a .500 record. They still have the talent to make a run, a 5 1/2 games isn't insurmountable. Could be Harper's last year with the Nats. Strasburg should return soon. They miss Ryan Zimmerman I picked Wash. to win the NL out of spring training. That prediction doesn't look good.. ... Marlins showed fight in their weekend series with the Phillies, but they are cooked....New York is embarrassing, the same team many experts picked to win the division.
Central
Cubs 55-38 -
Brewers 55-43 2.5
Cardinals 48-46 7.5
Pirates 48-49 9
Reds 43-53 13.5
Cubs are finally raising to the top and have the most experience and talent to win the division again.. Milwaukee has flirted with 1st for most of the season, as they did last year. Cards are hanging around, like always, but they are slowly fading. Pirates are finally catching up to losing McCuthen and Cole.The Reds are out of it again but are building a strong core for the future.
West
Dodgers 53-43 -
Diamondbacks 53-44 .5
Rockies 51-45 2
Giants 50-48 4
Padres 40-59 14.5
Dodgers were once 9 1/2 games out of first and have slowly climbed on top. If they get Machado, look out.... Arizona has a solid squad and should hang for the lead or wild card all summer...Colorado has had an up and down season . I say they miss the playoffs this time...San Francisco is my surprise pick to hang in there for a playoff spot...San Diego is still rebuilding.
Division winners- Phillies, Cubs, Diamondbacks
Wild card winners-Brewers, Dodgers
Championship series-Dodgers over Cubs
American League
East
Red Sox 68-30 -
Yankees 62-33 4.5
Rays 49-47 18
Blue Jays 43-52 23.5
Orioles 28-69 39.5
Boston is proving to be the best team in baseball and is pulling away form the Yanks. New York will win over 100 games as well but may have to again settle for a wild card spot. Tampa Bay has rebounded from a bad start but are still out-classed...Toronto are Baltimore are also-rans.
Central
Indians 52-43 -
Twins 44-50 7.5
Tigers 41-57 12.5
White Sox 33-62 19
Royals 27-68 25
Cleveland is the class of the division. They were my pick out of spring training to win the World Series. With little competition in the division, they can cruise to the playoffs...Minnesota will try for a wild card spot again....After a good start, Detroit is fading, as expected. Chicago and Kansas City are playing out the string.
West
Astros 64-35 -
Mariners 58-39 5
A's 55-42 8
Angels 49-48 14
Rangers 41-56 22
Houston is trying to shake surprising Seattle. the Astros are on a different level. Seattle is making a strong effort for at least a wild card spot. Ditto Oakland, who are 13 games over .500 at the break...Trout going another season without a World Series...All of the young talent that Texas once had is gone. Was Hamels worth it?
Division winners-Red Sox, Indians, Astros
Wild card winners-Yankees, Mariners
Championship series-Indians over Red Sox
World Series winner-Indians over Dodgers
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