- Another big win for the hot Phillies last night, beating Baltimore 3-2. Zach Eflin moved to 7-2 on the season with another strong effort. He left with a blister on his index finger but claims to be OK> The shaky Hector Neris pitched in the 8th, while the reliable Siranthony Dominguez closed the 9th and got the save.
- Interesting..when Oriole Manny Machado was introduced he got a rousing ovation, and not only from the Baltimore fans attending. Phillies fans made the calculated move to cheer, telling Machado, "Join us in Philly!" Machado will be a free agent after the season. He may get traded sometime this month, as the Orioles will try to get something for their star shortstop before he walks. He would look great in Phillie red pinstripes now, either at shortstop or third base, but would the Phils give up prospects for a rental player? Machado will, almost certainly, test the free agent waters. He may like it in Philadelphia and decide to sigh an extension. Or, he may want to take his talents to Los Angeles ( looks like the Dodgers are interested as well).
- Ironically, as it appears the organization has given up on Mikel Franco, he is showcasing his talents for a potential July trade, by getting a pair of hits last night and literally saving the game in the 8th inning with a diving defensive stop of a hot grounder, throwing to first from on his knees to nip the Oriole runner.
- The last home game before the All-Star break occurs this afternoon, as Aaron Nola rolls against Baltimore. After today, the club goes on a 10-game road trip, with stops in Pittsburgh (3 games), New York ( 3 games vs the Mets), Baltimore ( a make-up game vs the Orioles), and Miami (3 games). Despite the road games, Atlanta has a much more tougher road ahead, playing the Yankees, Brewers, and Blue Jays on tap.
- With the win the Phils move to within 2 1/2 games behind the Braves. They have zoomed to a 3 1/2 game lead over the rapidly fading Nationals, who are 7 out of first. Maybe even as surprising as the Phillies' success is the Washington decline, now sitting at an even .500 for the 2018 campaign.
- There's an old baseball adage that whomever is in first place on July 4th generally goes onto the playoffs. Back in the day, when there weren't any divisions, teams went directly from July 4th to the World Series. Other variables have contributed to the change in philosophy, such as the schedule, travel, the DH, the wild card and more playoff rounds,etc...Still, about 60% of teams in first place on July 4 do go om to win their division, whereas 2/3rds of teams in first will at least make it to the playoffs.
If that holds true, the Braves, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Indians and Astros are happy campers on this national holiday.So then 4 out of 6 will make it to the playoffs, whereas two won't . Houston, New York and Cleveland are almost shoo-ins to make the post-season. Atlanta, Milwaukee and Arizona are not so sure. Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Seattle and San Francisco will have something to say about the final teams.
- The Sixers traded for Wilson Chandler of Denver. Not the big star Brett Brown was hoping top met. He will help but Brown stupidly boxed himself in with his "hunting for a star" comment, only to look foolish that LeBron, George, and probably Kawhi will not be coming to the Sixers. While they were chasing King James, they lost sight of reliable players like Bellinelli and Ilaysova. They are not a better basketball team, as of now, plus their front office remains a mess.
With Embiid and Simmons, the 76ers are still a good team. But have hte flyers and even the Phillies gone past the Sixers in terms of getting close to a championship?
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