Phillies feeling lucky | Sports Daily Newsletter
Taking hits, winning games.
There’s the classic line about how it’s better to be lucky than good, but it’s been a strange season for the Phillies. They seem like they should, on paper, have a better record than they do, given the strength of their lineup. But some injury issues and new players not quite clicking have resulted in another tumultuous run through the first half of the season.
Against their division rivals, the New York Mets, the Phillies were down by three runs in the eighth inning. The movie script of a comeback would probably call for a grand slam to win the game. In real life, that didn’t happen, but what did was perhaps a more rare event, as twice in a row, Phillies batters got hit by pitches to bring in runs with the bases loaded.
It was a bit of a fluke, but the Phillies will take the win, regardless.
—Andrea Canales, Inquirer Sports Staff, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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It may have been presumed, but now it has been confirmed: When Bryce Harper is cleared to play defense, he will be a first baseman. Manager Rob Thomson said as much over the weekend when asked if the Phillies believe Harper will play the outfield this season. Harper is seven months removed from an elbow ligament reconstruction. Getting him back at a position would free up the DH spot for Kyle Schwarber, ranked as the worst defender in baseball by defensive runs saved, and increase the team’s flexibility at the trade deadline.
Andrew Bellatti has dazzled over his last 11 outings at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Could he help the Phillies now?
Next: After an off day on Monday, the Phillies open a three-game series at Wrigley Field at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday (NBCSP). Ranger Suárez (1-2, 3.50) will start for the Phillies. The Cubs have not yet named a starter.
If you are a Flyers fan, chances are you spent half of your weekend refreshing Twitter for updates on potential trades. While nothing has been finalized just yet, it sounds as if Danny Brière is continuing to work the phones on several veteran players including Kevin Hayes, Travis Sanheim, and Tony DeAngelo.
In the meantime, the Flyers also have a draft to prepare for. We had our three hockey experts put their general manager hats on and take a stab at making the Flyers’ first-round picks at Nos. 7 and 22.
One other name to watch is Gabe Perreault, who has shot up mock draft boards after smashing Auston Matthews’ single-season scoring record at the United States National Team Development Program. Olivia Reiner recently did a deeper dive on Perreault and quickly learned hockey is a family affair.
Julián Carranza was one of Inter Miami’s first-ever signings, but after two seasons, the Herons prioritized bigger, glitzier names like Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi and cast off the Argentine.
The Union pounced and the rest is history. Carranza tormented his old team again Saturday night, scoring a goal and forcing another one via an own goal in a 4-1 rout. The victory keeps the Union in third place in the Eastern Conference and Miami in dead last — Lionel Messi has his work cut out for him! Jon Tannenwald on Carranza and other big takeaways from the victory.
Next: The Union hit the road next weekend to take on Atlanta United (4 p.m., Apple TV-free, FOX).
Haason Reddick held his annual kids camp in his native Camden earlier this month and made a statement to Josh Tolentino that should have Eagles fans excited: “As crazy as it sounds, I feel as if there’s still more levels for me to tap into. I’m extremely excited and looking to build on another great year.” Coming off a monster season, that would be quite something for Reddick to make another leap in Year 2 with the Eagles.
Worth a look
Leading the way: Of course Philly had to have some of its most outstanding sports citizens open up the repaired I-95 bridge.
The thin line: Between dislike and love, one pitcher traveled the journey to become an ace.
Stars shining: The fault lies in the stars, not the sometimes lucky circumstances in which they were picked, Mike Sielski posits.
On this date
In 2003, the NBA’s all time leading scorer, LeBron James, was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. His NBA tenure of 20+ years has spanned playing against both of the most recent Sixers MVPs — Allen Iverson and Joel Embiid.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Gus Elvin, Aaron Carter, Olivia Reiner, Giana Han, Jonathan Tannenwald, Josh Tolentino, Alex Coffey, Stephanie Farr, Mike Sielski, and Scott Lauber.