Philly Sports Weekly Roundup: August 15th-21st

Phillies

• Saying it was a rough week for the Phillies may be an understatement. After starting the week off winning 2 straight vs the Cinncinati Reds, a disappointing 1-0 shutout loss at the hands of Rookie southpaw Nick Lodolo would send them spiraling into a 4-game weekend affair with the NL-East-leading New York Mets. And spiral they would losing the first two games of the series 7-2 and 8-2 respectively, while “aces” Aaron Nola (5IP 5R) and Zach Wheeler (5.1IP 4R) would struggle to give the Phillies any aid whatsoever. Though a Saturday Night win would give the struggling Phils a boost of confidence after a nice showing from Bailey Falter (6IP 1R). Going into Sunday afternoons game, the Phillies knew they needed this win more than most. They certainly lived up to their name because we saw the Phils Fightin’ hard against the Mets, the weather, and their own bullpen. After two injuries to Corey Knebel and Seranthony Dominguez hit the Phillies bullpen just the morning of the game, plus some depleted and tired arms from the 3 games prior where none of the Phillies starters were able to go further than 6 innings, the Phils pen was stretched thin. When manager Rob Thomson was left with the choice between David Robertson and Sam Coonrod late in the game, he elected to go with Robertson who went 2 innings and earned a 6-out save for the Phils the night prior. That decision by Topper would prove to be a fatal one for the Phils as Robertson would allow a Mark Canha home run that put the Mets ahead 8-7. Despite some late-game heroics against Mets all-world closer Edwin Diaz, the Phillies would end the week on a disappointing note losing 10-9.

• The Phils started off the week by reinstating Sam Coorod from the 60 Day IL on Monday. Coonrod; suffered an Elbow Strain in late March and has been out since then, through 7.0 innings of work in AAA Lehigh Valley Coonrod gave an unimpressive 9.00 ERA. That may have been what made the Phillies give a second thought to calling him back up. However, Coonrod did hurl 2 scoreless innings of work on Friday night’s 7-2 loss to the Mets.

• The Phillies DFA’d pitcher Andrew Vazquez this week to make room for Centerfielder Bradley Zimmer on the 40-man roster. Zimmer was claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Through 77 games with the Jays Zimmer batted .105 with a .446 OPS. We got a glimpse of him this week and there wasn’t much to be impressed with besides a few nice catches that he would cancel out with a 2 run error in Sunday’s heartbreaker.

• Top Prospect Erik Miller was promoted from AA Reading to AAA Lehigh Valley. Miller is the Phillies’ top relief prospect, through 36.1 innings in Baseballtown he boasted a 2.23 ERA. There is a possibility we could see Miller this September if things turn out alright for him in AAA.

• A few updates were given on Bryce Harper this week as he continues his rehab. Harper continued to consistently take batting practice at Citizens Bank Park throughout the week, if all goes to plan Harper will begin a rehab assignment at Lehigh Valley on Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. All reports point to a possible return during the first week of September.

• A scary scene took place at Great American Ballpark last Tuesday as Brandon Marsh attempted to catch a Jonathan India home run over the centerfield wall but failed. He would land awkwardly and lay wincing on the warning track for minutes before eventually being helped to his feet by the Phillies Athletic Training staff. It would later be discovered Marsh suffered an Ankle Sprain along with a Bone Bruise, Marsh was placed on the 10-Day IL and will hopefully make his return sometime late next week.

• Finally, we couldn’t escape the week without more injuries. As Corey Knebel and Seranthony Dominguez would be placed on the 60 Day and 15 Day ILs respectively. Knebel was found to have a torn capsule in his shoulder and will receive Stem Cell treatment to fix it, in the meantime he is out indefinitely. Dominguez on the other hand, while not as serious will be an equal if not, bigger loss for the Phils. Dominguez is dealing with Tricep Soreness and the Phillies are hopeful the 15 Day timeline is accurate.

Eagles

• The Eagles took down the Browns in their second preseason showing this Sunday. It’s safe to say we saw a lot out of the Bird’s young guys. Deon Cain was one of the biggest standouts catching 5 balls for 66 yards, former Olympic Hurdler Devon Allen showed up big time as well with a 55-yard touchdown catch from Reid Sinnett. It was also nice for the Eagles to see some positive production from their second and third-string backs in Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell. Scott; ran for 33 yards on 10 rushes with a TD, Gainwell offered more of the same with 46 yards on 11 touches, and a 3-yard touchdown run. Gardener Minshew played most of the game for the Eagles going 14/17 for 142 yards, clearly proving he is the backup behind Jalen Hurts if that wasn’t already obvious. The one downside to this game was the terrible play from the Eagles defense who looked like the butter to the Browns knife. The Eagles didn’t record a single interception or sack in Sunday’s game and boasted just 1 TFL. It was a pretty good game for the Eagles, and it was nice to see some more from guys who are fighting for a spot on this roster, but this last week is when it gets real. We will see who wants it the most soon enough.

• The Eagles started off the week making a move that has been looming large for some time now. Howie Roseman would deal former 2019 2nd round pick JJ Arcega-Whiteside to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for Defensive Back Ugo Amadi. Amadi recorded 54 tackles and an interception in limited time for a struggling Seahawks team last season. He will look to compete for a spot in an already weak Eagles defensive backfield.

• The Eagles also made their initial preseason cuts. Dropping WR Lance Lenior, CB Jimmy Moreland, and S Jared Mayden. Granted all were injured and eventually brought back on the injury exemption list.

Flyers

• It was a quiet week for the Orange and Black, no moves and no new news out of Vorhees this week.

Sixers

• An agreement on the Grievance field by Ben Simmons his agency Klutch Sports last season in the wake of his trade to the Brooklyn Nets was come to this week by both parties. Though neither side elected to release details, it is rumored Simmons walked away with upwards of $20 Million out of his $33 Million dollar salary. Check out my article about the grievance and more on Simmons and the Sixers, here: The Ben Simmons Saga is finally over, but how did we get here?

• The Sixers entire 2022-23 schedule was released this week. Two big games to look out for will be the opening night matchup with the Celtics in Boston to kick off the year. Along with a game at MSG with the New York Knicks on Christmas day.

Union

• The Union had a 50/50 week per say, despite dropping Tuesday’s match to Dallas FC 1-0. The Boys in Blue were able to rebound nicely taking down DC United 6-0 in blowout fashion on Saturday. Let’s focus on Saturday’s game for a moment, the Union took down a lowly DC United team in style. With goals from Gazdag, Uhre, Burke, and a Hat Trick from one Julian Carranza who has proven to be an amazing pickup on the transfer market this summer. Andre Blake performed masterfully in goal and the Union now hold a 6-point lead over idle Montreal in the Eastern Conference. The Union have established themselves as one of the best teams in MLS this season and will look to make a push at a championship this season. All things are looking up in Chester!

Stars

• Nothing new from the Stars this week, but I’m sure we can expect some signings as the NFL preseason closes and players are left searching for jobs. But for now the USFL offseason trails on.

Wings

• The Wings resigned defenseman Ian Llord to a 2-year deal this week, the 37-year-old scored 2 goals in 15 games for the Black and Gold last season.

• The Wings resigned Alex Pace to a 2-year deal this week, the St Catharines native racked up 5 points (1 goal 4 Assists) last season.

• The Wings resigned Isaiah Davis Allen to a 2-year deal this week, Allen had 4 assists in 18 games last year for the Wings.

• The Wings signed Joe Restartis to a 3-year deal, Restartis is one of the best offensive players in the game. He scored 111 points (47 Goals, 64 Assists) for Albany last season.

• The Wings signed Defensemen Chad Tutton to a 2-year deal on Wednesday. Tutton had 8 points in 17 games last season for the Swarm.