Philly Sports Weekly Recap (Week Of August 29th-September 4th)

Phillies

• Is the sky falling? That is the question many Phillies fans have found themselves asking after a turbulent 1-5 week out on the west coast. The swing saw the Phils drop 2 of 3 to a bottom-tier Arizona squad then, proceeded to get swept by the San Fransisco Giants, a team that has been out of playoff contention for weeks. The week did however start off great, well for the first 4 innings of it. The Phillies jumped out to a 7-0 lead in game one in Arizona but blew the lead in just 2 innings losing 13-7. The next night was no better as the Dbacks beat doors off a knackered Phillies squad with little to no contention 12-3. Game 3 proved to be the polar opposite of the first two as the Phillies would explode for 18 runs setting a new season high in hits and runs scored. Headed into San Fransisco with a newfound confidence that would soon be taken away, the Phils dropped game 1; 12-1. Game two was a different story as the Phillies attempted to put up a fight but couldn’t hold on as Brad Hand walked in the go-ahead run sealing it in the 6th inning as the Phillies neglected to score another run. Finally, the week would end on a sour note with a Wilmer Flores walk-off two-run shot in the bottom of the 9th of Sunday’s 5-3 loss. The Phillies now sit just 2 games above the Milwaukee Brewers for the final wildcard spot. It is safe to say something will need to change soon if the Phillies want to break their 11-year playoff drought.

• The Phillies have acquired RHP Vinny Nittolli from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Catcher Karl Ellison. Nittolli was never a member of the Blue Jays 40 Man Roster which intern made him eligible for trade. The Righty was added to the Phils bullpen shortly after and made an appearance on Sunday in San Francisco where he hurled one scoreless inning.

• The Phillies 2023 Spring Training schedule was released. The games will begin on February 25th when the Phillies will play split-squad games Vs the Yankees and at the Tigers. It will end on March 28th vs the Toronto Blue Jays at BayCare Ballpark.

• Former Phillies GM Lee Thomas died Tuesday at the age of 86 while undergoing treatments at the hospital. Thomas served as the General Manager of the Phillies from 1988-98 and oversaw the 1993 NL Pennant Team. He acquired players such as Lenny Dykstra, John Kruk, Curt Schilling, and Mitch Willaims. He was also responsible for drafting the likes of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, and Pat Burrell who lead the Phillies to their second World Series in franchise history.

• The Phillies recalled RHP Vinny Nittolli, and C Donny Sands from AAA Lehigh Valley to comply with the MLB’s September Call Ups. Many were surprised when Darick Hall wasn’t recalled for September. It seems the Phils want Hall to get everyday ABs in Lehigh instead of being a pinch hitter for the big club. Still, a confusing decision, as Hall would be a nice bench piece to have during a pennant race.

• Shortly After it was announced Zach Wheeler would begin to throw bullpens in San Fransisco. The Phillies reportedly had a setback in his recovery and will now need to wait another week to begin his rehab program.

• Nick Castellanos reportedly strained his Oblique in game 1 vs San Fransisco. He was placed on the IL after an MRI showed substantial damage. Daulton Guthrie was recalled from AAA Lehigh Valley to take his place. Castellanos is now out for the next 2 weeks at the least, another huge loss for the Phillies in their race to October.

• The Phillies have DFA’d INF Luis Garcia to make room for Daulton Guthrie on the 40-man roster.

Eagles

• The Eagles have acquired Defensive Back Chauncy Gardener Johnson from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 5th and 6th round pick. Johnson is 24 and is regarded as one of the best young DBs in the game. Though he will demand a hefty paycheck come years end, I believe the price will be well worth it if he continues to produce at such a high level

• The Eagles have made their cuts to reach a final 53 man roster, they are as follows; WR Greg Ward Jr, TE Richard Rodgers, DT Rennell Wren, CB Josh Blackwell, RB Jason Huntley, QB Carson Strong, C Cameron Tom, S Jaquiski Tartt, QB Reid Sinnett, CB Mario Goodrich, DT Kobe Smith, DT Marvin Wilson, OT Le’Raven Clark, LB JaCoby Stevens, CB Tay Gowan, CB Mac McCain III, S Andre Chachere, OG Jack Anderson, TE Noah Togiai, S Anthony Harris, WR Devon Allen, and WR Deon Cain.

• The Eagles have claimed QB Ian Book off waivers from New Orleans. The second-year guy out of Notre Dame will serve as the third-stringer behind Jalen Hurts and Gardener Minshew this season.

• The Eagles have traded WR Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2024 4th and 2023 7th-round pick. The burden of the Eagles 2020 1st round pick has finally been lifted off the shoulders of GM Howie Roseman. However, this does now mean the Eagles are down to just 4 wide receivers on the 53-man roster. We will see what Howie and company decide to do next to possibly change that.

• The Eagles have waived Linebacker Davion Taylor and resigned him to the practice squad. With this move, the Eagles have now rid their roster of all top draft picks from 2020. Taylor had a minimal role on the team as is and most likely would not have contributed as well as the Eagles may have wanted, if he had been kept.

• The Eagles have signed the following player to their practice squad; S Andre Chachere, WR Britain Covey, WR Devon Allen, WR Deon Cain, RB Kennedy Brooks, TE Noah Togiai, LB Chrisitan Ellis, CB Mario Goodrich, DT Marvin Wilson, OT Le’Raven Clark, Qb Reid Sinnett, C Cameron Tom, OG Kayode Awoskia, S Anthony Harris, and DE Matt Leo.

• Jason Kelce has been a full participant in practice nearly all week and has shown no signs of fatigue or further injury. The hope is that Kelce will be ready for game 1 in Detroit next week.

• The Eagles have voted their 2022 captains, they are as follows; Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Darius Slay, and Jake Elliot.

• Miles Sanders returned to practice this week for the first time in nearly 2 and a half weeks. The hope is that he will be ready for week one, but there have been no announcements on his status as of yet.

• The Eagles have claimed RB Trey Sermon off waivers from the San Fransisco 49ers. Sermon was reportedly a target of the Eagles during the draft but never fell to them, they will get a second chance with him now.

• Andre Dillard suffered a Nondisplaced Forearm fracture in practice this week. He will undergo surgery and it is hoped he will be available by week 5-6.

• The Eagles have released Tight End Jaeden Graham from the IR.

Flyers

• The offseason continues for the Orange and Black as there is no new news to present as of late.

Sixers

• The Sixers announced that they will hold Training Camp in Charleston South Carolina at the Citadel, from September 26th-October 2nd.

Union

• The Union had yet another great week going 2-0 and gaining 6 points in the race for the Supporters Sheild. They end the week tied with LAFC at 60 a piece but will look to continue their push as they still have 4 games remaining. Wednesday’s win over Atlanta United was one of the most physical Soccer games I’ve seen played in a while, the Union however fought hard winning 4-1 over AU as Nathanial Harriell scored his first MLS goal. The Boys in Blue ended the week on a great note shutting out a top-ranked New York Red Bulls team that was on a 4-game-win streak. Andre Blake shined in the cage as usual, while Daniel Gazdag scored his 18th goal of the season.

Stars

• Nothing new from Phillys newest squad, but ill be sure to everyone updated if any big new breaks from Stars camp.

Wings

• The Wings have signed Ryan Wagner to a 2-year deal. Wagner scored 8 points in 17 games for the Wings last season.

• The Wings have signed Blake McDonald to a 2-year deal. McDonald was signed from an open tryout and will look to make a name for himself with the Wings.

• The Wings have traded Jonathan Gagliardi to Vancouver for a 2025 3rd round pick.