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  • Fightins Recap (4/12/26):

    Fightins Recap (4/12/26):

    Bombs Away in Baseballtown 💣

    After getting blanked the night before, the Reading Fightin Phils came out Sunday like a team determined.

    Final: Fightins 6, Yard Goats 3

    And this one? Powered by straight-up nukes. The Offense: On Fire. Reading didn’t just score, they launched four home runs like they were trying to make up for Saturday in one night. 

    Let’s run through the fireworks:

    Raylin Heredia – solo shot to get things going

    Dante Nori – first Double-A bomb, gave Reading the lead

    Carson DeMartini – absolute 445-foot missile (longest of the year)

    Dylan Campbell – snapped a slump with a homer 

    That’s not “manufacturing runs”… that’s “skip the small ball, we’re going yard.” And honestly? Respect.

    The Tone-Setter: Tucker Dealt

    Braydon Tucker was on a different level:. 5 innings, 10 strikeouts (career high 👀). Ten punchouts in Double-A? Yeah… that’ll play anywhere. He gave them exactly what you want after a shutout loss.

    Game Flow: Quick and Painful (for Hartford)

    Hartford scratched a run early thanks to an error. Reading immediately answered, built it to 3-1, and Hartford made it a little sweaty at 3-2. Then DeMartini said enough of this nonsense and the launched one to basically end it. From there, bullpen shuts the door, Campbell adds a blast for some more insurance, and everyone goes home happy.

    Takeaways:

    This lineup has legit pop – 4 homers in a Double-A game is no joke. DeMartini was cooking – 3 hits, 2 RBIs, looked like the best hitter on the field  Tucker might be a problem (in a good way) – 10 Ks will get you noticed real quick. Perfect bounce-back game after getting shut out the night before. Reading won their first series of the young season, and hope to keep that momentum going.

    The Fightin Phils are off tonight, and start the next series up in Somerset vs the Patriots tomorrow night.

    -Jawn Kruk

    Side Jawn Sports

    Twitter/X: @JawnKrukSJS215

    Instagram: @jawn_kruk

    Facebook: Side Jawn Sports

  • Welcome To Your Ballpark

    Hey gang, it’s your pal Jawn Kruk here. Apologies on taking so long to start the blog back up, just was tying up some loose ends after my battle with Cancer and getting used to being back at the day job. 

    I went to Opening Night on Saturday Night and the play on the field was not the only thing that frustrated me that day. Until the ruckus started around the removal of Harry the K’s, I really hadn’t noticed before just how much space in the Bank is covered with a sponsor’s name. 

    I get change happens over time, but my thoughts are that if you build a retro-style ballpark you should keep it somewhat nostalgic in a way. 

    The whole issue with the clock could have been avoided if they just put it over top of the structure that has Jackie Robinson’s league-wide retired Number 42 on it. When they take down the All Star Game logo next year, where the clock used to be, they could have just put up another sponsor there, or vice versa, put the clock back where it was and put a sponsor on top of that structure with Jackie’s number. Everyone wins. Woo hoo!

    Also, another thing the Phils could have done, was leave Harry the K’s the way it was, since the Ghost Energy logo and can logo are prominently displayed under the right side of the big scoreboard in Left Field. Also, they could have had “Harry The K’s Sponsored by Ghost Energy” as I saw someone on X say, which could have worked as well. I can’t lie, it was sad not seeing Harry’s name on that awning on Saturday. 

    Also, do we really need to see the Asplundh logo like, what seems like, infinite times along the Left Field wall? Do we really need LED screens lining the dugouts and scrolling advertisements? SeatGeek I love ya, but I saw your name on four other screens I think. Relax. Lol. 

    I sat in the Hall Of Fame Club, Oops sorry, the Cadillac Hall Of Fame Club, and I felt something was missing. Most of the memorabilia was gone, no more wall of baseballs, no more grass painted on the bathroom floors, etc., the look of it all just seems plain to me. Maybe I have to go up there again for another look, but at first glance I was not a fan. I also spoke with others of all age ranges who were not fond of the changes either.

    Look, I’m not here to be the old man on the lawn, I just would like at least some of the park to give fans that classic nostalgic look. I get the All Star Game is coming, but man, holy overdo in my opinion. That’s just this fan’s take. Anyway until next time, be well!

    P.S.- This was brought to you by an Apple Pro Max 15. 😉

    Jawn Kruk

    Side Jawn Sports

    X: @JawnKrukSJS215

    Instagram: @jawn_kruk

    TikTok: @jawn.kruk

    Facebook: Side Jawn Sports 

  • The Flyers Embark On A Four-Game Road Trip

    Who/What/Where:

    Flyers vs Lightning- 7pm

    Benchmark International Arena

    TV: NBCSP

    Radio: 97.5FM The Fanatic

    Situational vibes:

    Flyers: Blue-collar, defense-first identity. When they’re dialed in, it’s structured 5-on-5, forecheck, and good goaltending. When they’re not… it’s odd-man rush city.

    Lightning: Still dangerous as hell off the rush and on the power play. Even if they’re not in full “mini-dynasty” mode anymore, you cannot give these guys free looks.

    Goaltending battle:

    Flyers basically need their goalie to match or outplay Tampa’s starter to steal momentum on the road.

    Path to a Flyers win:

    Limit Lightning PP chances to 2 or fewer. Win the 5-on-5 battle by keeping chances against to the outside.

    Get one ugly net-front goal and one rush or broken-play goal.

    -Jawn Kruk

    thesidejawn.org

  • The Sixers Look To Steal The Bookend Of The Weekend Back-To-Back

    Who: Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons

    When: Sunday, Nov 9, 2025 — 7:30 PM ET

    Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena

    📺: NBCSP 📻: 97.5 FM The Fanatic

    Tidbits:

    Philly just beat Toronto last night and turns right around for the back-to-back with Detroit. Tyrese dropped 31, Joel had 29 in limited minutes. Fatigue is a factor here. 

    Detroit rolls in hot, winners of five straight, and currently sitting atop the East behind Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. 

    Who’s In/Out:

    For tonight’s game, the 76ers will be without Joel Embiid, Paul George, Dominick Barlow, and Johni Broome. For the Pistons, Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris, and Marcus Sasserare all out, Isaiah Stewart is doubtful, and Caris LeVert is probable. 

    Three keys for Tonight:

    Maxey vs. Cunningham. With Embiid out, this will be a duel of the guards to watch.

    Battle on the glass: Duran is a problem on the glass, and it’ll be up to the Sixers bigs to win the rebound battle without Embiid.

    Back-to-back Energy: The 76ers will need extra minutes from some of the starters and also fresh energy and legs off the bench.

    Overview:

    The Pistons are the favorites tonight on paper, with it being the tail end of a back-to-back, and also with Embiid sitting this one out, but if Maxey continues to cook and the rest feed off of his energy, and the Sixers put together four complete and solid quarters, they have a shot of snagging this one.

    -Jawn Kruk

    thesidejawn.org

  • Flyers Look To Keep Things Rolling At Home vs Toronto

    When/Who/Where: 7:00 PM ET, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, TV: NHL Network / NBCSP. Stream: ESPN+/Fubo. Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic. 

    Flyers are rolling at home and just handled Nashville 4–1, and Trevor Zegras has been cooking lately. 

    Toronto’s been wobbly (1-3-1 in their last five) lately.

    Probable lineups (subject to warmups)

    Maple Leafs (projected): Knies — Matthews — Robertson

    Maccelli — Tavares — McMann

    Joshua — Roy — Cowan

    Blais — Domi — Järnkrok

    Rielly/Carlo, Benoit/McCabe, OEL/Tanev, Stolarz in net.

    Flyers (projected): Tippett — Zegras — Michkov

    Foerster — Cates — Brink

    Grebenkin — Dvorak — Konecny

    Abols — Gaucher — Hathaway

    York/Sanheim, Seeler/Drysdale, Zamula/Juulsen, Vladar in net.

    Couturier skated this morning; status trending positive but keep an eye on warmups. 

    Things to watch:

    Matthews vs. our top checkers.

    Keep Toronto to one-and-done rushes.

    Don’t overcook at the blue line.

    Flyers enter off the big Predators win, Toronto is coming off a 6–3 loss to Columbus.

    -Jawn Kruk

    thesidejawn.org

  • Another Game at Home For The Fly Guys

    Who/When/Where:

    Flyers vs Preds (Thu, Oct 30, 7:00 pm ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena, TV: NBCSP, Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic)

    In goal: Dan Vladar starts for the Flyers, Juuse Saros for Nashville. 

    Roster shuffle: Samuel Ersson hits the IR (lower body), Aleksei Kolosov recalled to back up Vladar,

    Preds injuries: Roman Josi (upper body) and Adam Wilsby (lower body) out/DTD. 

    Projected lines

    Flyers top six: Tippett – Couturier – Konecny
    Foerster-Cates-Brink

    Preds top six: Forsberg – O’Reilly – Evangelista Haula – Stamkos – Marchessault 

    Tidbit:

    Home-ice mojo: Flyers are 5–1–0 at home to start the season.

    3 Keys:

    Own the slot vs. Forsberg/O’Reilly: Keep that line on the outside.

    Shoot early and often on Saros: Create traffic and capitalize on second chances.

    Special teams discipline.

    -Jawn Kruk

    thesidejawn.org

  • Load Management Strikes Early, Embiid Out

    Who, When, Where:

    Magic @ 76ers, 7:00 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena

    Who’s In, Who’s Out:

    Sixers OUT:

    Joel Embiid (left knee – injury management), Paul George (left knee – surgery recovery), Jared McCain (right thumb – surgery recovery), Dominick Barlow (right elbow laceration), Trendon Watford (left hamstring – injury management) per the NBA’s official injury report. 

    Magic OUT:

    Moritz Wagner (left knee – injury recovery); Jamal Cain and Colin Castleton (not with team). 

    Philly is 2–0 to start the season behind Tyrese Maxey and promising rookie minutes from VJ Edgecombe, but they’ll be short-handed tonight. 

    Orlando is 1–2 and hitting the road for the first time, and the core runs through Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

    Theee things I’m watching:

    -Maxey vs. Magic roster length

    -Rebounds By Committee with Embiid out

    -Keep Banchero away from the line.

    -Jawn Kruk

    thesidejawn.org

  • Quick Preview of Tonight’s Flyers Matchup In The Great North

    Quick Preview of Tonight’s Flyers Matchup In The Great North

    🚨Who/When/Where: Flyers at Senators, 7:00 PM ET (Canadian Tire Centre). 📺: NBCSP.  📻: 97.5 FM The Fanatic

    🚨Recent News: Flyers come in off a 5–2 win vs. the Kraken and a 3–1–0 homestand; Ottawa has started out at 2–4–1. 

    🚨 Projected Flyers lines: Konecny–Couturier–Tippett, Zegras–Dvorak–Michkov, Foerster–Cates–Brink, Grebenkin–Abols–Hathaway. Cam York–Sanheim heading up the D lines. Dan Vladar is getting the nod in net. 

    🚨 Senators injuries: Brady Tkachuk (thumb)

    🚨 Flyers injuries: Rasmus Ristolainen (triceps) and Oliver Bonk (upper body)

    🚨 Players to watch: Owen Tippett and Cam York hopefully carrying the momentum. 

  • TIP OFF TIME IS FINALLY HERE!

    TIP OFF TIME IS FINALLY HERE!

    The Big Fella Returns!

    🏀 Game basics:

    Matchup/Venue: 76ers at Celtics, TD Garden at 7:30 pm ET.  📺: NBC Sports Philadelphia 📻: 97.5 FM The Fanatic

    🏀 Who’s In / Out:

    Sixers: Joel Embiid: IN, Paul George: OUT (knee surgery recovery), Trendon Watford (hamstring) OUT, Jared McCain (thumb) OUT.

    Celtics: Jaylen Brown questionable (hamstring). Jayson Tatum is out long-term (ACL)

    🏀 What to watch:

    -Embiid’s usage & rhythm First real minutes that matter since surgery.

    -Maxey’s tempo vs. Boston’s guards, Maxey’s pace and touches in the paint.

    -Wing scoring without PG

    With Paul George out, shot creation on the wings, (Oubre, etc.) become the swing factor. If secondary scorers hit open treys, it eases the load on both Embiid and Maxey. 

    -Impact of VJ Edgecombe. Showed a lot of confidence in the preseason, hopefully that carries into the regular season as well.

    🏀 Summary: I think with Tatum out long term, and Brown banged up, and with Boston not having much depth, the Sixers need to and should capitalize tonight and seal the deal for the W. So, clap your hands, and stomp your feet for your 10, 9, 8, 76ers!

    -Jawn Kruk

  • Flyers Fly High: My Take on Last Night’s 5–2 Win Over Seattle

    Flyers Fly High: My Take on Last Night’s 5–2 Win Over Seattle

    A Fun Night At The Big Celly

    It’s been a while since watching the Flyers felt fun from start to finish — but last night’s 5–2 win over the Seattle Kraken delivered exactly that. From a multi-goal night to crisp passing and a goalie who actually looked calm under pressure, this was one of those games that makes you remember why you put up with all the heartbreak in the first place.

    🟠 Offensive Firepower Returns

    The boys came out buzzing. Tyson Foerster and Owen Tippett each lit the lamp twice — Foerster on the power play, Tippett at even strength — giving the Flyers’ offense some real bite. Cam York quietly had a career-high three assists, and suddenly that top-six forward group looked like they could roll with anyone.

    For once, the power play actually looked dangerous. Pucks were moving quickly, shots were finding lanes, and players were crashing the net instead of doing laps around the blue line. When the Flyers play with that kind of tempo, they’re tough to stop.

    🧤 Vladar Steady in Net

    Dan Vladar might not have faced a crazy workload, but he made 21 saves and looked sharp doing it. The defense in front of him was solid too — tighter gaps, better backchecking, and fewer of those “what were they thinking?” giveaways that have haunted recent games.

    It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step in the right direction. You could actually feel a sense of structure out there, and for Flyers fans, that’s something to celebrate.

    ⚠️ Still Some Work to Do

    Now, before we start engraving the Cup, let’s keep it real. The Flyers were streaky at times — dominant stretches followed by little lulls where the energy dipped. That’s been a recurring theme, and consistency is the next big hurdle.

    The bottom six didn’t generate much offense either. It’s great when the top guys are hot, but playoff teams get goals from everywhere. And while the power play finally cashed in, the penalty kill still has its “close your eyes and pray” moments.

    💬 The Fan Perspective

    From a fan’s point of view, this was just one of those feel-good games. The kind where you don’t clench your jaw every time the puck crosses your own blue line. The Xfinity Mobile Arena seemed loud, the team looked confident, and the young core — Tippett, Foerster, York — all delivered.

    It’s not just about the win, but it’s about how they won. Fast, aggressive, and smart — three words that haven’t always described this team.

    🔮 Looking Ahead

    The Flyers have shown flashes like this before, so the real question is whether they can sustain it. Beating Seattle is nice, but let’s see how they handle tougher opponents on the road. If they can bottle that same energy and discipline, things could start to get interesting.

    For now, though, enjoy it. Nights like this remind you why we keep watching, because every so often, the orange and black show us what they’re capable of.

    Final Score: Flyers 5, Kraken 2
    Standouts: Tyson Foerster (2 G), Owen Tippett (2 G), Cam York (3 A), Dan Vladar (21 Saves)
    Next Up: Keep that momentum rolling and prove this wasn’t just a one-night thing.

    Sources: Reuters – Flyers vs Kraken Recap