- The Phillies say it's no time to panic and they are OK.. But it was a brutal loss last night to Washington How many times this season have we said "Wow, that was a brutal loss!". One strike away from winning 7-6. Dominguez ( who looks tired and may have been used too much early in the season), gives up a double and a walk-off homer to blow the game. ThePhillies lose their 4th game in a row ( all to NL East division rivals) and fall to 3 games behind suddenly streaking Atlanta.
- Let's be real ( which Kapler and the rest of the Phillies front office is not)- the organization really didn't go full-in to win this season. Didn' get Machado. Didn't get Hamels ( who, as I predicted, is brilliant for the Cubs). Didn't get a real closer. The results are showing now as the team fades, not only from the NL East but from wild card contention too. They now have 3 teams ahead of them for the 2 wild card spots. Not going to get any easier.
But why should we be surprised? This team is better- record-wise- but poorly constructed and over-evaluated. They have 3 first basemen, and their first baseman of the future plays in left field. Their second baseman of the future, who they gave tins of money to before the season began, plays out of position and is used sparingly now. Their defense is horrible, not only because guys are playing out of position, but because of poor fundamentals, which we saw way back in spring training. Kapler was so into analytics and positive thinking that he forgot to work on the fundamentals like bunting and catching the ball.
They rarely use their speed or move runners. Their live-up is in disorder, as Santana hit clean-up most of the season yet his average is hovering around .215. Hernandez is not a true lead-off hitter. They strike-out way too much, when simply putting the ball in play could score runs. Their starting pitching which has carried the club all year, is wearing down. Their bullpen, overrated by Kapler and Klentak in my opinion, is showing it's true colors when the chips are down. Too many inconsistent guys like Neris, Neris, Garcia and Arano.
The Phillies gave us meaningful baseball late into the season. It's not too late to get close again and make September important. Don't waste the good feelings you've built all seasonwith bad baseball now. But this time of year separates the pretenders from the contenders. Maybe the Phillies just aren't hat good, or aren't ready yet to take the next step?
- If there ever was a must-win game, it's this afternoon. Nola takes the mound against Scherzer, in a classic pitchers' duel. Nola needs help form the offense to snap the bleeding before heading to Toronto for the weekend. We get another shot at Washington next week at home. Don't allow them to sweep and make up 3 games in the pennant race.
- Pre-season game #3 for the Eagles tonight at Clleveland. Game 3 is always the key one, as most of the starters should play at least a half. Foles needs to lead a drive and score. It would give fans confidence that he was just rusty last week against New England. Two bad performances may start to plant seeds of doubt, pre-season or not.
It would also be nice to see some injured players return, but guys like Wentz, Sproles and Peters may not go until at least Opening Night on September 6. Hungry Birds is what I want to see tonight- desire and hustle, not fat and sassy Eagles, like Vitai admitted he was last week.
- The 2019 Baseball schedule is out. Here are some Phillies' highlights and league highlights to look forward to:
Home and home series with the Red Sox. AL Central- Royals, Indians, Tigers on road. Twins, White Sox and Tigers at home. Home & Season Opener in March vs Atlanta. Season ends at home against Miami. Labor Day ( vs Braves) is only home game on a holiday.
Yanks and Bosox play two games in London ( Red Sox home games). A's and Mariners open season in Japan. Mike Trout plays first ever game in St. Louis, the only city he has never played in. Yankees make rare visit to Dodger Stadium in August. All-Star Game in Cleveland for record 6th time. Cubs and Pirates play in Williamsport.Rangers play their last game in old ballpark in late September before moving into new stadium in 2020.
- Well, it will be all-Eagles all the time soon unless our baseball team gets it's act together. It may be anyway, with Opening Night fast approaching on September 6. Bad timing for Phillies to go in the tank. Hard enough to compete with the birds on the sports pages. With Flyers and Sixers training camps not far off the Phils are in danger of being forgotten until spring training next February unless they wake up soon.
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