As I wrote here recently, out of the three young Phillies starters, I like Zach Eflin the best. He has proven he can pitch a complete game, can induce ground balls, not just strike out batters, and seems composed on the mound. I don't like Chris Young, the current philadelphia pitching coach. With better coaching, Eflin can stick with the team in 2020.
Witness Sunday night vs New York. Eflin pitched 7 effective innings, keeping his club in the game until they blew the 2-2 contest open, thanks to a bases-loaded double by Scott Kingery.
Nick Pivetta is a head case and deserves to stay in the minors. Vince Valasquez is too inconsistent and needs to move back to the bullpen.
A rotation of Aaron Nola, Eflin and a pair of new starters ( hopefully Garrit Cole is one) would be more competitive next season.
Salvaging one game from the Mets was big, as the Cubs lost and their wild card lead over the Phillies was cut to 2 1/2 games. The Nationals can't be caught for the first wild card spot. but the Cubs are vulnerble. They suck on the road.
Either way, if the Phils go get into the playoffs, I see them as one and done if they have a one-game playoff. Having Nola is great but facing Max Scherzer in Washington could be fatal.
The Phillies hit the road for 7 games, starting with an afternoon Labor Day game today at Cincinnati.
The Eagles get ready for their opener this Sunday vs the Redskins. I'll be there for the NFC East battle. I'll be making my selection later in the week, as well as my NFL picks. Last year I went 22-11 in both straight up wagering and against the point spread.
I'll also have my football predictions later this week.
The Birds will be seeing a familar face when they face the 'Skins on Sunday at the Linc. Running back Wendell Smallwood was cut by Philly and picked up by Washington.
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