Just when you give up on the Phillies they suck you in again by sweeping the Red Sox in Boston in a short two-game series. The Phils remain 2 games behind the final wild card spot,
After losing 2 of 3 last weekend to the lowly Padres, fans were ready to jump off the bandwagon.Now there is hope again, granted against a mere mediocre Boston club. They play a 3- game set this weekend, which should be interesting, Philly is 6-7 this season against the lowly Marlins. Taking 2 of 3 might suffice, althoguh the Phils need to sweep, even in Miami, to should fans this isn't false hope again.
Plenty of heroes in Boston, including the no-name bullpen, but Bryce Harper stands out. He hammered his 27th home run, along with 92 RBIs, clubbing the shot over the famed Green Monster in Fenway Park. Harper may not have the 3-50 homer season many hoped for, but he should end up with 35-plus and over 100 RBIs, not a bad year. I would take that for the next 12 years.
While many are thinking the Phillies may have turned their season around yet again, the starting pitching remains shaky at best beyond Aaron Nola. If only the front office believed in the team and had been more aggressive in trading for quality pitching at the July trade deadline.
The team may be able to go out after the season and buy more free agents, especially pitching help, but sustained success happens with a good farm system. Wise draft choices and solid player development are the keys for long-term success.
For now, with the Phils still 2 games behind in the wild card race, having a hot Harper in September would give the club an edge. He could carry the team down the stretch run to the playoffs.
Beyond Miami, the Phillies return home next week for series vs the weak Pirates and a really big showdown with the Mets.
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The Eagles play pre-season game # 3 tonight at the Linc vs Baltimore. They have been holding scrimmages with the ravens all week leading up to tonight's game. Normally this game would showcase many of the starters for a half or three quarters, but not this year. Seems like the trend in the NFL is not to play the starters at all, saving them for the regular season. It makes the pre-season even more boring and meaningless for fans.
I'll watch tonight until I get bored, which may be sooner than later. Feel bad for the ticket-holders who pay full price for the garbage by greedy owners.
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