- Another win for the Phillies on July 4th, their fourth in a row, and a sweep of their brief two-game series with the Orioles. It's the first time the team is 10 games over .500 since 2011. They start an 11-game road trip to Pittsburgh ( 3 games), the Mets ( 4 games, including a doubleheader on Monday), Baltimore ( 1 game, a make-up form a rain-out in may), and Miami ( 3 games) before hitting the All-Star break.Beatable clubs but still, on the road.Pittsburgh has never been a destination lucky for the Phillies. The Mets have had their number for a while now. Who knows about the one game in Baltimore or the three against the poor Marlins.
- Speaking of the All-Star Game, Aaron Nola should not only make the team but conceivably, should start . He is 11-2, tied with Jon Lester of the Cubs for the league leader in wins. Rhys Hoskins should be there, especially if he continues his hot streak. It would be Hoskins' first Midsummer Classic. One can argue that reliever Siranthony Dominguez should make the staff. If Odubel Herrera picks it up again one could justify Herrera on the squad. Maybe Zach Eflin if he continues to pitch well. He is 7-2 right now.
- Manny Machado told sportswriter Jim Salsbury that he wouldn't rule out signing an extension this summer with a contender. Machado likes the make-up of this 2018 Phillies team, and he has connections with the front office. The question is, do you trade for Machado now, and give up prospects, with the hopes he live help you get into the playoffs this season, or take a chance and wait til the off-season and only spend your money and not young players. But what if Machado make his grand tours of interested baseball towns, ans ends up falling in love with , let's say, Los Angeles?
- Either way, it's time for do-nothing General Manager Matt Klentak to do his job. No more saving money and building assets. Time to act and finally be a GM. Let's see how shrewd he is on the free agent and trade markets.He can really change the way fans look at him in the city by being proactive and landing Machado sooner than later.
- Another Philadelphia writer had a great idea of the Phils trading for ex-Phillie Cole Hamels and putting Vince Valasquez in the bullpen where he belongs. Imagine the fire balling duo of Valasquez and Dominguez late in games out of the 'pen?' Hamels should still be effective for several more years after this one. He would be yet another great mentor for the young pitchers.
- Machado says he would rather play shortstop now, as opposed to third base. No problem. Even if they intend to unload Franco at the trade deadline, Kingery can play the hot corner, while candidates such as rookie Alec Bohm , veterans Mike Moustakis and Adrian Beltre all have eyes for the position. Play Machado wherever he wants, and building around him.
- A month now and the Sixers still don't have a real GM. Meanwhile, this off-season has been a bust. Brett Brown went "star hunting' and ended up short, signing marginal talent like Wilson Chandler and Amir Johnson. What a disappointment!
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