Sunday was a damn good day to be a Philly sports fan, with the Phillies, Eagles, and Union all finding the win column. Triple Dubs.
The Phillies avoided the sweep in Atlanta with a 9-4 win over the Braves. With the game tied 2-2, Alec Bohm ripped a clutch two-run double that opened the floodgates for a seven-run eighth inning. Rookie Andrew Painter continued making his case for the rotation, allowing just one run over five solid innings. They still lost the series, but getting out of Atlanta without being swept was huge.
The Eagles opened their season by surviving the Commanders, 24-22. Jalen Hurts threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while Dallas Goedert caught two of those scores. It wasn’t always pretty, and Washington nearly tied it in the final minute, but Moro Ojomo blew up the two-point shovel pass and saved the Birds from overtime. DeVonta Smith then recovered the onside kick, allowing Hurts to take a knee and officially seal it. Birds are 1-0. That’s all that matters.
The Union completed the Philly sweep by beating the absolute brakes off San Diego FC, 5-0. Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored a ridiculous backheel just before halftime, added another goal in the second half for his first career brace, and picked up an assist. Bruno Damiani scored, 17-year-old Malik Jakupovic buried his first MLS goal, and Andre Blake secured another clean sheet. The Boys in Blue have now gone 10 straight matches without a loss and are playing like a team nobody wants to see right now. Bring it. Doop.
Three teams. Three wins. One hell of a Sunday in Philly. LFG!
The Philadelphia Union return to Subaru Park tonight riding an eight-match unbeaten streak and looking to prove this turnaround is for real against FC Cincinnati. The Union have climbed into ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 27 points, only four behind sixth-place Cincinnati, while leading MLS with 18 goals since the World Cup break. Cincinnati brings plenty of firepower with Evander and Kevin Denkey, but Philly has momentum, Andre Blake protecting the net and a pair of midfielders who can change the game.
Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan has become must-see television, scoring in three consecutive matches and becoming the youngest player in MLS history to record a goal contribution in five straight. Danley Jean Jacques deserves plenty of love too. He now has four goals and one assist in 22 MLS appearances, proving he’s more than a defensive presence in the midfield. This is a measuring-stick game for the Boys in Blue: protect our pitch, grab the points, and keep climbing that Eastern Conference table. DOOP!
Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati Tonight at Subaru Park | 7:45 p.m. TV: FS1, Fox Deportes and Apple TV, Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Now, the Regroupin’
The Phillies damn near pulled off a five-run comeback Tuesday night, but apparently running the bases correctly was an optional part of the assignment. Andrew Painter got smacked around early, giving up five runs in five innings, before Trea Turner and the offense finally woke up. Brandon Marsh then got doubled off second in the seventh, and Edmundo Sosa cost himself a possible triple by watching his ninth-inning shot instead of hauling ass. Houston escaped with a 6–5 win, leaving Phillies fans wondering how a veteran team can still make Little League mistakes in the middle of a September playoff race.
The Phillies are back at it tonight against the Astros, with Cristopher Sánchez taking the mound against Hunter Brown at 6:40. After nearly erasing a five-run deficit Tuesday night, only to lose 6–5 because apparently running the bases correctly was optional, the Phillies need to clean up the nonsense and give Sánchez some early support.
Houston’s biggest bats were quiet in the opener, but the bottom of its lineup did all the damage. Tonight, the Phillies need to score before the sixth inning, keep the Astros in the yard and stop giving away outs like they’re free samples at Costco. With Sánchez on the mound, this is a game they should win—just play smart baseball and quit making September harder than it already is. Oh yeah, and P.S.- F**k Mattress Mack!
You know how someone you don’t like, or maybe you do like them but they just yap and yap, and you act like you’re listening, but you give them the “Word? That’s Crazy!” and you keep trying that until they stop or get the clue? Yeah, it’s kinda how Local and National Sports are right now, on both sides of that coin.
How about Dem Phils?
Look, I have been critical at times of “The Showman”, but when you get down to it, he is having a great year. Over this 15-3 run by our Fightins, here are his stats:
Batting average
.415 (27-for-65)
On-base percentage
.531
Slugging percentage
.585
OPS
1.115
Home runs
2
Doubles
5
RBIs
9
Runs scored
12
Walks
16
Strikeouts
14
Pretty phucking good, eh? Seems like someone is taking that “not elite” quote personally, and I believe he should. We signed him to bring us a chip, so it’s time to deliver.
Besides Harper getting hot, this team just seems to never give up lately, late come backs and what not. Something special happened in them damn cornfields and I’m all about it.
Nola and Painter pitching gems lately is VERY dangerous for other teams down the stretch and the playoffs should the Phils advance past the first round. Our Top 3 of Wheels, Sanchie, and Luzardo is dangerous already but if Nola and Painter keep dealing like they have been of late, watch our league!
Big Meech is back!
I was talking some shit briefly on Matty Mittens not being here not only in the U.S., but in the Philly area and at the team’s facility to work out and work on his game. Me personally, I think he should have just stayed in the area the whole offseason. Not only to work out and work on things, but to absorb the local culture. Glad to hear he is around and working out ahead of camp. I hope for great things this season.
Male Cheerleaders? The Nerve!
Look, would I love for all the cheerleaders to be hot chicks? Hell yeah, but male cheerleaders have around for a long minute. It ain’t nothing new. It’s just newer to the NFL. College Basketball and College Football have had male cheerleaders for a long while. My cousin was a male cheerleader for the University Of Kentucky and even was a coach after he graduated. Look, I don’t care if a fucking giraffe cheers, I’m watching the game for my team to win. For the old dudes popping veins out their necks at this, relax and enjoy the time you got left. This is not an issue.
Obama Needs A New Friend
This will be brief. Steve, you built a huge arena to not have to share with the Lakers. I loved that. Then you did some dumb stuff to circumvent Kawhi Leonard’s salary. You’re a fucking billionaire! Just pay the fucking guy! The trade goes through, and he only has to pay $700K even though he had no knowledge of the situation, so he says at least. You lose an All Star player, pay chump change 30 mill, but are suspended a year AND this…
📸: @nbaonespn/Instagram
You screwed your fans, Ballmer. Welcome to the Abyss. 🤷♂️
Who said Union guys don’t work?!
And how about the Union? Apparently somebody remembered to plug them back in during the World Cup break. Since returning, they’ve gone seven straight MLS games without a loss. Five wins, two draws, and 17 out of a possible 21 points, capped off by beating Red Bull New York 3–1. Yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty damn good response.
They came back from two goals down to beat NYCFC, then went toe-to-toe with Messi and Miami in a 2–2 draw. There’s some fight in this team again, folks.
And the kids? They’re doing more than just getting their feet wet. Cavan Sullivan has a goal or assist in four straight league games. He’s SIXTEEN. Meanwhile, Neil Pierre has four goals and an assist during this seven-game run. He’s a defender, by the way. Apparently he decided scoring goals was also in the job description.
I’m not planning a parade down to Chester just yet, but they’ve given us a reason to get excited again. Keep it going, boys. DOOP!
The Wrap Up
I really appreciate all of you that read these as I’ve started the blogs back up. Writing from my heart really brings me joy and I hope I entertain you as well as bring you joy. This blog was supposed to be a side project alongside my work for Drunk Phils Fans, but now it has become part of a full-time passion and brand. Stay tuned for the Fall, for my brand new podcast, with a great co-host. Love you all and appreciate you all.
I keep hearing rumblings about a new Eagles Stadium and where they would put it, and I’m all for it being somewhere else than the “Sports Complex”. Way back when the suit jackets matched your Grandmom’s couch, some stooges decided to put all of our stadiums and arenas in one place, thinking that was a GOOD thing. No. It’s complete chaos. I implore Jeffrey Lurie to build a new stadium elsewhere inside the city. I get he wants to have a dome, but I’m against that, since we do have some nice days here during Football Season. Make it a retractable roof. The “Complex” is too complex. For example, there is NO view at CBP. None. If you sit in seats higher you see the downtown skyline miles away. Other MLB cities have a view past the outfield, with PNC Park being the best, to be honest. Bottom line: Fuck people’s feelings, and build where you want. Birds fans will follow.
Where The Fuck Is Matty Mittens?
Ayo, Michkov, loved your Ben Simmons type video walking up steps, over there in Ruskieland, but it’s time to keep the rest of the Summer training close to home, eh? I’m talking about the home of your Flyers, Cuz. You need to work to get the most of that talent you have inside you. No more laziness. Work hard and be rewarded.
We Out After A Couple Asswhoopings? Really?
I get it folks, you got a little deflated after those couple of Phillies Asswhoopings out there in Seattle, but look, we didn’t get swept, and we have won 10 or our last 12, so keep the faith and stop being like a marblemouthed WIP caller and jumping ship over a couple of mulligans. We will be fine. We have the Angels and Diamondbacks coming up, and I fully expect at least 4 or 5 wins out of those series. Keep the faith, my friends.
No Flag On The Play
The NFL announced it is getting rid of the Pro Bowl Game and will just recognize players with the award from here on out. Part of me is like “Fucking Finally!”, because it hasn’t been a product to watch since players stopped hitting, and actually playing the game. I miss guys like Brian Dawkins and the late Sean Taylor laying dudes out, and players playing for pride and that game check and having fun, and trash talking. Once that ended, the product went sour. The other part of me is like “Nooooo!”, because I’ve always wanted the Pro Bowl to return to those days, so more people would watch. Once they stopped trying to compete with each other and actually play, it was a wrap. Then came the joke of moving the game to Orlando, and then finally the nail in the coffin, the “Pro Bowl Games” including a flag football game with the Pro Bowlers. Horrible. If it ever comes back, they need to swallow the whistle and let ‘em POP!
A Thankful Conclusion
I just want to thank all of my friends and followers on Twitter and Instagram, you’ve been a rock for me post chemo, and even though I wanted to blog months ago during chemo and only popped a couple out, y’all supported me. I will never forget that, and I love and appreciate you all. I hope you enjoy the blogs and content I’ll be cranking out from now on. Fuck Cancer and God Bless You All! Look out for my new podcast with a special co-host, come Fall/Winter! Be well and kick some ass!
Hey folks, it’s been a little while since I’ve gotten to blog. Life has been hectic this summer with my day job, little health things(I’m fine), busy schedule, etc., but I wanted to get back to it and start back up with a little short blog about recent events in Philly Sports and such, and I hope you enjoy!
Bird Sh*t 🦅
So, I see Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown hugged today. Aww, ain’t that cute? Personally I could not give two sh*ts to be honest. AJ could invite Jalen over and bake him muffins, they both could never speak again, they could talk sh*t on each other for life, I DO NOT CARE. It’s irrelevant. AJ is on the other team now, along with his drama. Yes, he is a great WR, but we will be just fine over here. Oh, and just like AI said, it’s PRACTICE. Settle down, folks.
Is It October Yet? 🏀
It’s very heartwarming to see LeBron, Jaylen Brown, and Maxey all working out together daily recently. I think they all understand that they, along with Embiid and Edgecombe and the rest of the team, can do something special this year, and they want to get some work in early to get familiar with each other before training camp and start to gel a little earlier. Would love it if Embiid and Edgecombe and some of the others maybe could join them, but hey, I’ll take it. I haven’t been this excited for a Sixers season in an offseason for a very long time. Great things will happen this year in that arena. Is it October yet?
How About Dem Fightins? ⚾️
Six in a row and two sweeps. I’m tellin’ ya, there was something in that damn corn! I’m liking what I’m seeing these past six games, and what a gem from Nola last night! If we can get THAT Nola down the stretch, and Painter can give us at least five innings minimum(He has been pitching decently since his recall), that would be a huge boost for the rotation and not put a strain on the shaky bullpen. I’m not too too excited yet, but I’m liking 6 in a row. Give me at least two out of three vs the Cards this weekend, and then I’ll start feeling a lot better. It’s time to catch fire.
Snow Paterno? ❄️
First of all, I got that heading from my buddy Christian, so I cannot claim it, but I do think it is effing hilarious. I have never indulged in the white powder, nor will I ever, but imagine if you did, and you aren’t going to a shady place for it, but a frat house. You knock on the door and a dude named “Pablo Pledgescobar” opens the door after you tell the password (Bruh), and you see him with a cardigan on and he is strapped. Please, people, keep the memes and the jokes coming, because the fact that these nerds were running a little cartel out of a Penn State frat house is mind blowing and hilarious. What is not hilarious for them, is that Daddy’s money won’t help them get out of this. Life lesson there, “Pablo”
After getting blanked the night before, the ReadingFightin 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.
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. 😉
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.
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.
