= Finally the Phillies fire Manager Gabe Kapler. He needed to go. Lack of discipline on the team. Bad in-game decisions. Stupid post-game comments. The players collapsed during the second half of both of his seasons.The bullpen was burned out. He needed to go.
GM Matt Klentek and President Andy MacPhail stay. They need to show results, as they only have one more year left on their contracts. Owner John Middleton once said that Baseball is a "results business." If he really believes that then both Klentek and MacPhail need to step it up.
But how much power do each have? Klentek "loved" Kapler so he didn't fire Gabe. Obviously Middleton did. So if the owner is undercutting his General Manager, how much power does Klentek have?
Same with MacPhail. He may have lobbied to temporarily save his own job, along with Klentek's job. But how much sway does MacPhail still have? His role ( whatever that is) must be diminished after his summer "If we don't, we don't" stupid comment.
Urgency and accountability need to arise, both on the field, the clubhouse and in the front office. Klentek should and probably will focus more on pitching this off-season.
The next manager ( Showalter? Madden? Girardi?) needs to be a better communicator and disciplinarian. Will he be another analytics guy . old-school guy or a mix?If Klentek has lost some power we will know for sure if the new manager has a different analytical viewpoint than Klentek.
Showalter makes sense since he is familiar to the front office in Baltimore. There will be more checks and balances with the front office. Klentek needs to be smart and aggressive to save his own neck.
First, re-sign catcher J.T. Realmuto. Address the pitching staff, both starters and bullpen, find a third baseman, maybe make a risky move ( trade Rhys Hoskins for pitching?) and strengthen the bench.
I would think a new manager will be picked sooner than later. Baseball Winter meetings start soon. Once the first skipper is hired the others will fall in line.
By the way, ex-pitching coach Chris Young, who was awful, officially was relieved of his duties. Supposedly Young will remain in the organization in some sort of analytical job. The young pitchers on the staff, especially Eflin, Valasquez and Pivetta, balked at many of his suggestions ( or orders) as they all regressed in the 2019 season.
I would hate to lose the great Ricky Bottalico as an analyst, but he would make a good pitching coach.Let's see how much freedom the new manager has in picking his coaches.
Most of all, experience counts. Klentek can't hire young, inexperienced puppets anymore. We know that doesn't work and they end up in over the head. Guys who have a winning track record make sense. The focus must be "win now" and make progress. One can't blame injuries anymore. Another disappointing season and both Klentek and MacPhail will be looking for work at this time next year.
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I like the Eagles this Sunday, 20-17. Minnesota always plays well at home under the dome. The crowd noise will be deafening. The Birds will be walking into a buzz saw. If they don't turn over the ball and score early to take the Vikings fans out of the game, things may snowball as the Vikings players latch-on to the growing momentum.
Limited the penalties too. Stop the run as Minnesota has one of the best rushing games in the NFL. They will try to control the clock, possess the pigskin and limited the times QB Kirk Cousins has to throw.
Sunday starts the first of three road games for Philly, thanks to the Phiilies, who were supposed to be in the baseball playoffs by now. I think the Eagles will win 2 of 3 on this road trip. Sunday in Minnesota, next Sunday night in Dallas and the Sunday after in Buffalo. The Bills game will be tough and a loss, the last of the three.
Then the Birds have three home games in a row, starting in November. Again, I think they win 2 of 3. They beat the Bears, beat the Patriots then suffer a letdown and lose to Russell Wilson ( who always plays well vs the Eagles)and Seattle.
The rest of the schedule is pretty soft, a time when the Eagles can stockpile victories and coast into the playoffs with momentum.
Step 1 is Sunday afternoon with the Vikings.
NFL Picks- Week 6
I went 3-0 last week in my picks. Here are my selections this week:
Cowboys -7 (at Jets)
Browns + 1.5 ( vs Seahawks)
Saints + 1 ( at Jaguars)
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The Flyers have started 2-0 this NHL season. last night goalie Carter Hart was spectacular in the 4-0 shutout over the Devils. Now the club travels to the West Coast for three road games. If nothing else, the squad will be exciting this season. The combination of young players and established veterans , along with the emergence of hart, should make Philadelphia a playoff team.
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