The Sixers are preparing to start playing summer league games, specifically there usual stop in Orlando in about a week. Besides Mo Speights, and 1st round pick Jrue Holiday, the Sixers have also added ex Temple star Dionte Christmas to their summer league roster. Christmas whom many thought would go in the 2nd round of the draft because of his outstanding outside shooting and scoring touch(he torched Tennessee for 40 points and about 6 threes early last season in a upset win for the Owls), went undrafted. However, thanks his ability to hit threes and score at will at times, he could easily make the team, in fact if they'd had a 2nd round pick the Sixers might have taken him. Plus Sixers fans always love to cheer on local products, so he'd be hit with the wachovia center faithful right off the bat. So anyway get ready to hear the phrase its Christmas in July on highlights shows in the next week or so.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Blue Jays this afternoon and what a difference a day makes. J.A Happ got the start and was brilliant, allowing just 5 hits in the first complete game shutout of his career. Perhaps even more impressive is that he didn't allow a single walk in the game, and threw just 100 pitches. So he was rolling big time and so were the Phils, as they beat up on Toronto starter Brad Mills for 8 runs on 8 hits and eventually finished with 10 runs on 14 hits overall. They jumped out early with 4 runs in the 1st on 2 run homers by Jayson Werth and Pedro Feliz. They then added 1 in the 4th, on a double by Carlos Ruiz, 4 in the 5th on singles by Werth, Ruiz and Ryan Howard, and a sac fly by Eric Bruntlett, and finally 1 in the 6th on a solo homer by Werth to cap off the 10-0 win. Yeah Werth had about as good a day as Happ, with 4 hits, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBIs, to singlehandedly account for over half the Phils offense. I really didn't see this coming from Happ, although he really hasn't had a bad start since replacing Chan Ho Park in the rotation and I would say he's pretty much earned himself a spot in the rotation for the rest of the season and actually he has better numbers than anyone else in the rotation right now, at 5-0 with an ERA of 3.00. Seriously, how did Chan Ho Park beat out Happ for the 5th spot in the rotation during spring training anyway. I don't know if this win will carry over in to tomorrow for the Phils, but I don't see why not with the veteran Jamie Moyer on the mound. It just depends on whether or not the Phils can keep hitting for once. Anyway with the win the Phils move to 38-34 overall and back up to 1.5 games up in the NL East, as the Mets, Marlins, and yes, Braves all lost again today.
FLYERS NEWS
On day 2 of the NHL draft the Flyers actually made some picks although nothing significant. In the 3rd round they took goalie Adam Morrison and defenseman Simon Bertillson. In the 5th round they took goalie Nicola Riopel. In the 6th round they took center Dave Labrecque and left wing Eric Wellwood. Finally in the 7th round they took defenseman Oliver Lauridsen. Ultimately, none of these guys will be joining Flyers anytime soon if at all. In fact they're all 20 years of age or younger and will probably need at least 3 years to develop. Probably the best of all the picks would be the defenseman Bertillson who scored 31 points including 9 goals in 30 games with his Swedish team Brynas. God only knows about the rest of these guys.
Friday, June 26, 2009
FLYERS NEWS
The the first day or round 1 of the NHL draft was tonight. However, the Flyers did make any picks tonight because they traded away their first round pick(number 21) along with their 1st round pick in the 2010 draft, forward Joffrey Lupul, and defenseman Luca Sbisa to the Anaheim Ducks for future hall of fame defenseman Chris Pronger and young forward Ryan Dingle who will probably play in the AHL next season. Although he is now just one of the best defenseman in the NHL, rather than the best, Pronger is exactly what the Flyers needed, a tough as nails defenseman not afraid to intimidate others. He is the blue line leader the Flyers have lacked since Derian Hatcher's was felled by career ending injuries. Sure, they had to get rid of a lot to get him, but Lupul an average 25 goal scorer, was being grossly overpaid at 4 years for $4.5 million and thus was expendable and getting rid of him frees up the cap space the Flyers needed to sign a backup goalie and to re-sign Mike Knuble. Also both of the picks the Flyers gave up were late first rounders and in the NHL especially, late first rounders are always hit or miss and often take years develop before they can assume a role on the team. In fact Anaheim didn't even use that 21st pick they got from the Flyers tonight, instead trading it to Columbus. So ultimately all the Flyers really gave up for Pronger was Sbisa. Out of all the young defenseman on the Flyers he probably had the potential to become the most talented, but it would have taken him at least a couple more years to harness that talent. Also Sbisa was never going to have the same 6-6 221 lb size and the intimidation ability of Pronger. Therefore, while some would say the Flyers gave up too much for Pronger, I think it may have been worth it. The only problem is that Pronger has only a year left on his current contract so if the Flyers want to keep him for a few years at least, they'll have sign him to a new deal, but it sounds like that won't be a problem. At any rate this clearly shows the Flyers are committed to winning a cup now rather than a few years from now because at 34 years old Pronger probably can only help them get to the cup for another 3-5 years. So let's leave it at this. If the win a cup in next 3-5 years, than this arguably the best trade they have ever made. Otherwise it is a huge bust. At any rate though with Ray Emery and now Pronger in tow the Flyers will at least be a fun team to watch next season.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled to Toronto tonight to begin a series with the Blue Jays. After getting demolished by the Tampa Bay Rays last night , they were hoping to bounce back tonight. Instead, it was only more of the same. Even Cole Hamels, who got the start tonight, couldn't save the Phils as he allowed 4 runs on 8 hits in just 4 and 2/3rd's innings of work. Meanwhile Ricky Romero sparkled for Toronto no-hitting the Phils for 6 innings, before losing it in the 7th. In all he tossed 7 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits. Thus, by the time the Phils finally scored a run in this one, it was the top of the 9th and too late mount any sort of comeback. All of the Toronto runs off Hamels, came in the 4th and 5th innings. In the 4th, Alex Rios singled in a run for a 1-0 lead, and in the 5th a 2 run double by Aaron Hill and a sac fly by Scott Rolen pushed it to 4-0. Later Toronto added 2 in the 8th on a single by Raul Chavez and a bases loaded walk issued to Hill to push the lead to 6-0. Finally as mentioned the Phils scored in the 9th on a sac fly by Jason Werth, but it was too late and they fell 6-1. So the Phils lose their 3rd in a row on the road for the first time all season. It really was just another terrible night for the Phils. They had exactly 3 hits all night long, 2 by Chase Utely, and one by Werth and everyone else, Ryan Howard(finally back at 1st) Pedro Feliz, Carlos Ruiz, Shane Victorino, etc; went hitless. Hamels had his worst start of the season thus far and he's now just 4-4 overall with an oddly high 4.44 ERA. Brad Lidge did get finally back into a game again tonight, but he threw a wild pitch and gave up those 2 runs in the 8th inning. They just don't look like the same Phillies team that won the world series with now. I don't know maybe it is just that they're stuck in interleague play, which is alway they're worst time of the year. Simply put they stink against american league teams, year in and year out. Especially against the AL East, which who they have been playing this year. So hopefully that's all that is going on with them right now, and as soon this series is over and they go back to playing NL teams they'll be fine. In the mean time, despite the loss they remain 1st in the NL East at just 37-34 overall, since the Mets(0.5 back), Marlins(1 back), and Braves(4 back) all lost tonight as well, thank God.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phillies completed their series with the Rays tonight and it wasn't pretty. Antonio Bastardo got the start and was touched up for 6 runs on 7 hits in just 3 and 2/3rd's innings. So maybe he's just not ready to be a part of the Phils rotation after all. Meanwhile the Phils put up 4 quick runs in the 1st inning, then um didn't score again the rest of night. Seriously it was like the whole team fell asleep. They made fielding mistakes(Jayson Werth badly misplayed line drive off the wall in right), base-running mistakes(Pedro Feliz got caught way off first on an obvious fly out with just one out at the time) and just a lot of really stupid mistakes. Suffice it to say they didn't play like world champions tonight. Doubles by Ryan Howard and Matt Stairs, and a single by Pedro Feliz put the Phils up 4-0 in the 1st inning, but it was all down hill from there. Tampa came right back with 3 runs in the 1st inning on a double by Carlos Pena and 2 run homer by Ben Zobrist. They scored 3 more in the 2nd inning on a solo homer by Willy Aybar, a double by Carl Crawford, and a fielder's choice. So before you knew it Tampa was ahead 6-4 and they never looked back. With 3 in the 6th on singles by Jason Bartlett, and Aybar, and 1 in the 7th on a fielder's choice, Tampa went on to win easily 10-4. Frankly I am disgusted with the way the Phils played tonight. Champions aren't supposed to play like this. Where's the heart? Where's the hustle? Wherever it is they better find it, because now after dropping to just 37-33 overall they lead the NL East by just a half a game.
SIXERS NEWS
The NBA draft was tonight and with 17th pick of the 1st round, their only pick in the draft, the Sixers selected UCLA point guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday was projected as a top 10 pick so I guess the fact that the Sixers got him can be considered a steal. The problem is that Holiday is a bit of a project. He has the potential to become a very good point guard in the NBA in a couple years and probably will be, but he's not ready to step in as the Sixer's point guard right now. Which means the Sixers either must be confident they can bring back Andre Miller for at least couple more years or they really don't plan on putting together a contender for a couple more years. Honestly, Thad Young and Mo Speights probably won't be good enough to elevate the Sixers into contention for a couple years anyway so perhaps getting Holiday was a smart pick. I just wish the Sixers were a little more committed to winning now instead of a couple years from now. Realistically though, with the Magic adding Vince Carter, and the Cavs adding Shaq, the Sixers probably weren't going to be able to get much farther this season or even next season, than they did last season. So ultimately, I guess I would say getting Holiday was a nice pick for the Sixers. In fact if the Sixers can bring back Miller then it would be the perfect learning situation for Holiday and maybe he could end up being a very good pick. Make no mistake is a very good player. At a big physical height of 6-3, with a wingspan of 6-7 he is a very good defender capable of wreaking havoc in the lane and he's also a good athlete and good ball handler. Also other than his one college season at UCLA, he has played point guard his entire life, so unlike Lou Williams he really is a pure point guard. The only problem with the Holiday is that he needs to work on his shooting. Once he gets that done though he could be a star. So who knows maybe the Sixers really are better after this draft.
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils continued their series with the Rays tonight. Joe Blanton got the start and pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits while striking out 10 in 7 solid innings. However, the Phils lineup went stagnant providing Blanton with just 1 run on 4 hits. Jimmy Rollins went hitless again, as did Shane Victorion, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz, and Pedro Feliz. Matt Garza pitched well for Tampa but not that well. It was really just one of those off nights for the Phils lineup. Still, through 7 and 1/2 innings it was actually enough to keep the Phils in it. Pat Burrell hit a 2 run homer in the 2nd inning and Jayson Werth slugged a solo homer just inside the foul pole in the 7th inning, but that was it, 2-1 Rays going into the bottom of the 8th. There J.C Romero took over for Blanton and got a couple outs before loading the bases, prompting Charlie Manuel to bring Chan Ho Park into the game. Park got Burrell to ground into what should have been an inning ending fielder's choice but JRoll flipped to 2nd instead of trying to get the slow footed Burrell at first, and Ben Zobrist beat the flip to keep the inning alive and allow a run to score. After that a 2 run single by Jason Bartlett and a 2 run double by Gabe Gross put it out of reach for a Phils comeback, with the score 7-1 Rays. So the Phils drop just their 10 game on the road, so they'll have to win tomorrow to avoid losing their first series on the road this season. I commented on this earlier but I just wanted to reiterate here that Brad Lidge is expected to return to the Phils bullpen which should help the Phils avoid messes like this one. By the way, Ryan Howard was still the DH for the Phils today so I don't know when he'll back at 1st base, but apparently he is over his recent bout with the flu, so it shouldn't be long now. So anyway the Phils drop to 37-32 overall now and to just 1.5 games up in the NL East.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
PHILLIES NEWS
The Phils traveled down to Tampa tonight to begin a series with the Rays. After 6 straight losses the Phils were just hoping for something, anything, positive and boy did they get it. What a difference the road makes. Jamie Moyer got the start and rolled through 6 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. Meanwhile the Phils just destroyed David Price, for 10 runs on 7 hits. Honestly the outcome of this one was only in doubt for about 3 innings. Price just kept throwing fastball after fastball and payed dearly for it. In the 1st inning alone the Phils scored 6 runs, on back to back doubles by Chase Utley and Ryan Howard(DHing for tonight, and probably back at first tomorrow) and a 3 run homer by John Mayberry Jr. In the 4th the Phils put up 4 more runs, on a fielder's choice, an RBI single by "the Flyin Hawaiian" , Shane Victorino and a 2 run homer by Utley for a 10-0 lead. It was pretty much over from there, although Tampa did finally score a run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Jason Bartlett, to cut the final score to 10-1. So the Phils improve 24-9 on the road now. Apparently all they needed to get back on track was to get the heck away from the Bank. Seriously, the Phils couldn't have played any better in this game and the Rays couldn't have played any worse. It was the complete opposite of all those games the Phils played at home and it simply defies all the logic I can think of. So anyway, after this impressive night, to say the least, the Phils move to 37-31 overall and now back to 2.5 games up in the NL East. In others news on the injury front, Brad Lidge apparently close to the returning to the Phils bullpen after a rehab stint tonight in clearwater. Raul Ibanez also appears to be on the mend after participating batting practice today. On other hand reliever Clay Condrey went on the DL today, joining already injured relievers Lidge and Scott Eyre. So Lidge either has to come back perfect very soon or the Phils need to go get someone in a trade, because Ryan Madson, J.C Romero, Jack Taschner, Chan Ho Park, and a couple of rookies just won't do as the Phils bullpen for long.
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