- Bad loss on Sunday, terrible series for the Phillies in Cincinnati over the weekend. After hitting 7 home runs in the opener on Thursday night, the team went cold offensively and lost 3 in a row to the last-place Reds. Embarrassing!
As they have done all season, the Phils struck-out 14 more times on Sunday afternoon. They aren't the only team in baseball whiffing too much. Players nowadays are trying to hit home runs, not making contact or putting the ball in play. That's analytics for you. In the modern day world of baseball it's OK to strike-out.Guys are taking uppercut swings trying to smash 500-foot homers ( think Jorge Alfaro).
- With their third consecutive defeat, the Phillies stagger into Boston 1 1/2 games in front of Atlanta. A shaky few days await as the team faces the red-hot Red Sox ( Boston is 37-14 at home this season) while the braves stay home to take on the lowly Miami Marlins. Aaron Nola tried to snap the losing streak tonight, with Jake Arrieta pitching Tuesday night. Boston comes to Philly for a two-game set starting August 14.
- I find manager Gabe Kapler's positive attitude annoying at times, especially after a rough weekend vs the Reds. Fans aren't stupid. We want honesty as well as passion, from our players, coaches and front office. For Kapler to say that starter Zach Eflin was "tremendous" yesterday ( he gave up 4 runs in 5 innings) was ridiculous and insulting to the knowledgeable Philly fans.
- The trade deadline looms tomorrow at 4 p.m. Will GM Matt Klentak make more moves to improve his first place, yet shaky club? Plenty of relievers still available, which would shorten the game and give effective guys out of the bullpen like Dominguez, Arano and Neshek a break. Klentak has just about ruled out getting a starter like Chris Archer, even though Eflin, Pivetta and Valaquez have been inconsistent at best lately. What about another bat such as Adam Jones in the outfield?
Klentak can't keep falling back on the "we are in first place" tag line. For how long? If Klentak fails to upgrade the team, how long can they realistically expect to stay on top? So far, getting Cabera from the Mets has been a bust, but I have faith he will help the team this summer. Klentak can pull the trigger when he wants to.
- I love Ricky Bottalico on the post-game show. He keeps it real most of the time and is honest. The regular broadcast team, especially Tom McCarthy, is getting better at being honest. I get it- they work for the Phillies, so they can't be overly critical But Ricky, who works for the TV station, can be more straightforward with his opinions and not worry about losing his job.Bottalico knows how the fans feel. He, along with Angelo Cataldi (WIP Sports Radio) are two of the best journalists in the city because they speak for the fans and usually get it right.
- The Eagles have the day off from training camp. They continue to look good in early workouts, especially QB Carson Wentz. Will he start opening night on September 6? Will he play in the pre-season at all? If Wentz looks healthy will the Birds shop Nick Foles? Less than 40 days until the championship banner is raised at Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles begin to defend their crown against the Atlanta Falcons.
- Brian Dawkins is enshrined this weekend into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Except a sea of green out there, as Eagle fans always travel well and should be well- represented this weekend as B-Dawk finally gets his due.
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