- While the 76ers are deservedly earning the headlines lately with their playoff run, the Phillies are quietly winning, up 2 1/2 games in National League East. They won again last night at Citizens Bank Park, beating a wounded Washington squad, 4-2.
The Phils are in first with Bryce Harper not plaiyng to his potential and Aaron Nola still not pitching well. The defense has been shaky at times and the bullpen isn't always reliable.
Jarod Eichoff again pitched well, going a solid five innings. The bullpen was outstanding in closing out the game. Hector Neris has become as close to a closer as Manager Gabe Kapler uses.
Bryce Harper gets the hype, but the real heart and soul of this Phillies team is Rhys Hoskins. He is clutch and smashed another key homer last night, a three-run shot to put the team ahead in the 6th inning. Hoskins always seems to come up big when it's needed.
The Phillies are winning home games. They are beating division rivals. And they finally won a series opener. I wouldn't be shocked if Washington leaves town swept, down seven games in the division, and reeling.
I won't be surprised when Washington manager Dave Martinez gets fired. The Nationals are now five games off the pace in NL East. They are the walking wounded, with regulars Zimmerman, Soto, Turner and Rendon out. Yet Martinez did his share to help the losing cause.
Nats starter Jeremy Hellickson was pitched a fine game into the 6th inning, with nine strikeouts. After Jean Segura got a swinging bunt infield single, Hellickson was suddenly pulled from the game for a left-hander to face Harper. That turned out to be stupid, as Harper walked to make it first and second, with Hoskins up.
Instead of bringing in a righty to face Hoskins, Martinez allowed the lefty to pitch to Rhys, who promptly belted a low pitch deep into the left field bleachers. Game over.
Weather permitting the teams square off again tonight with Jake Arrieta pitching, for the Phillies. It's Jimmy Rollins Night, as JRoll officially retires as a Phillie. He may not be a Hall of Famer, but he is a Phillie great, with more hits than anyone ever to have played for the Philadelphia Phillies.Rollins deserves to be honored tonight. The Phillies organization always does ceremonies the right way, so it should be a treat.
Strange quirk in the schedule. The Phillies are 16-13, 31 games into the season and the Nats have visited Philly twice already. If Sunday's game is rained out ( the forecast is for over an inch or more of rain), the only time to add on a doubleheader is in July, the final time Washington visits.
Sunday will be nuts in South Philly. The Phils are scheduled to play at 1:05; the Sixers play Toronto at 3:30; and the Broad Street Run takes place Sunday morning , with parking lots and streets adjusted.
- The Sixers play Game 4 of their playoff series with the Raptors on Sunday afternoon. If the Sixers win and go up 3-1 the series may be over. A Toronto win means the series goes back to Canada with the series tied at 2-2.
I love to watch Joel Embiid play. He's fun to watch because he is having fun. He's unconventional and unpredictable, which means you never know what he will do. He can hit a a three-pointer. he can dunk with the best of players, or muscle an other center down low. he is athletic and graceful. He is an excellent foul shooter, rare for a big man.
As long as Embiid stays healthy he will go down as an all-time great. He is the cornerstone of the Sixer organization. He is still young, and sometimes immature, but he is honest and connects with the fans. He needs to eat better, cut out the fast food and take care of his body better. Like most young people, he doesn't think about one day being old and is living for today.
He is the guy you love to hate if you are the opponent but wish he was playing for your team. I'm glad Embiid is on the Sixers, hopefully for many years to come.
- The Eagles signed middle linebacker Zach Brown, who played for the Redskins last season. It's a one=year, low-risk deal. Brown is a great tackler. They needed someone to replace Jordan Hicks.
Corner back Blake Countless, who was cut by the Rams, was also signed, as a fourth corner/safety and a kick returner. He was a 6th round draft pick by the Birds several years ago. Countless can help with kickoff returns. Will DeSean Jackson return punts?
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