Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Could Lonzo Ball fall to Sixers? Report says he must wow Lakers in workout

Embed from Getty Images

 

By Jack Fritz, Sports Talk Philly editor

I'm going to need a live cam on Lavar if the Los Angeles Lakers do indeed pass on his son.

Ever since NBA draft lottery night, the consensus amongst people in the business has been that Lonzo Ball would be keeping his outlier passing ability in Los Angeles to play for his hometown Lakers. Really, it seems like the perfect fit. Lonzo and the UCLA Bruins were like a reincarnation of the showtime Lakers and the logical next step would, seemingly, be to add their floor general to the mix next season. 

But a funny thing happened in the NCAA tournament.

Klentak: Phillies still have 'a lot of confidence' in Mackanin, McClure

Pete Mackanin and the Phillies are coming off of a 6-22 month of May. (Frank Klose/SportsTalkPhilly)

By Theo DeRosa, Sports Talk Philly staff 

The Philadelphia Phillies just finished up a 6-22 month of May by rolling over for a three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly Miami Marlins, but general manager Matt Klentak isn't ready to clean house just yet.

Klentak reinforced his faith in manager Pete Mackanin and maligned pitching coach Bob McClure in an interview with CSN Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury:

Phillies Rumors: Club may try Scott Kingery at different positions

The Philadelphia Phillies have strong organizational second base depth. (Brandon Apter/SportsTalkPhilly)

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Early in the 2017 season, I wrote about how the Philadelphia Phillies' strong organizational second base depth was a nice problem to have. However, with the team in the midst of one of the worst months of May in franchise history, the Phillies might not be in a position to have "nice problems." 

Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice spoke to an unnamed team official, who suggested that the team may try prospect Scott Kingery at another position with Cesar Hernandez currently manning second base at the major league level: 

Matt Klentak suggests Phillies won't send Maikel Franco to Triple-A

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has struggled in 2017. (Frank Klose/SportsTalkPhilly)

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Maikel Franco is back in the Philadelphia Phillies lineup this afternoon as they finish out their set with the Miami Marlins. General manager Matt Klentak says it will probably stay that way for the immediate future. 

Klentak, who did an in-depth interview with Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, responded to manager Pete Mackanin's public suggestion Wednesday that the Phillies have considered sending Maikel Franco to Triple-A Lehigh Valley: 

Phillies place Velasquez on DL, recall Ricardo Pinto from Triple-A

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia Phillies starter Vince Velasquez left Tuesday's game early with a right elbow flexor strain. It's the same injury that ended Clay Buchholz's short season with the Phillies in April. The Phillies will need a starter to replace Velasquez and Zach Eflin when the team hosts the Giants this weekend, but for now, they've decided to call-up Ricardo Pinto from Triple-A.

Phillies aim to avoid worst May record in 90 years against Marlins

Embed from Getty Images

 

By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Miami, FL — Things seem to keep getting worse for the Philadelphia Phillies. At the end of April, they were showing progress and some improvement, en route to an 11-9 record. Things have drastically changed though. Since they blew a 5-2 lead back on April 29 against the Dodgers, the Phils have won six and lost 22. 

Their May woes have come from all ends, with starters not pitching deep into games, the offense being inconsistent and the bullpen roles not being set in stone. It's safe to say, the Phillies are likely more than ready to get May over and done with and start June fresh.

This afternoon, in their series finale in Miami, Aaron Nola gets the ball against Marlins right-hander Dan Straily.

---

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (17-33)			Miami Marlins (20-30)
RHP	Aaron Nola		RHP	Dan Straily
	(2-2, 4.34 ERA)			(3-3, 3.83 ERA)

Fletcher Cox's Absence at OTA's was Overblown

Embed from Getty Images

 

By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

The Philadelphia media was abuzz last week due to the absence of Eagles star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox from OTAs. The common reaction from the media and the fan base was "that's not what leaders do," or "missing non-mandatory practices doesn't set a good precedent for the offseason and the upcoming season." 

Regardless, Cox reported to voluntary practice on Tuesday and talked to the media about missing OTAs last week. He had a pre-planned family outing, reportedly a vacation, and head coach Doug Pederson was told about it beforehand.

In a part of the yearly calendar where there isn't much to talk about with the Philadelphia sports teams, the media will do almost anything to grab at a storyline. Cox's "no-show" from OTA's last week was an easy serve for the starving headline-grabbing local sports hounds. 

Flyers Facing Big Month Ahead in June

Embed from Getty Images

 

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It's been a little more than eight weeks since the Flyers season came to an end, starting the long journey of the offseason.

The time that passes during the Stanley Cup Playoffs can typically be boring. There are over two months until the NHL Draft for teams that miss the playoffs. Free agency feels even farther away in mid-April. But with the calendar turning to June on Thursday, things will start picking up in a very busy month for the Flyers.

An Evident Double Standard in Eagles Absentees at OTA's

Embed from Getty Images

 

By Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

When the Eagles began OTA's last week, the fanbase was trying to understand the absence of Fletcher Cox from the first installment of voluntary workouts.

It turns out that Cox was attending a family function during the first set of OTA's, and he has returned for round two of voluntary workouts. 

Missing from both sets of workouts so far are defensive end Marcus Smith, punter Donnie Jones, and starting left tackle Jason Peters. 

The absences of Peters and Jones drew essentially no criticism from the media, while Smith and Cox have not been given a pass. 

Velasquez's injury overshadows Phillies loss

Embed from Getty Images

 

By: Rebecca Serad, Sports Talk Philly Staff 

Final: Miami Marlins 7, Philadelphia Phillies 2  ❖  Attendance: 16,241

MIAMI — Coming into tonight's game, the Philadelphia Phillies (17-33) were 12-12 against the rest of the National League East, including their opponent, the Miami Marlins (20-30). It was enough reason to hope that they could find a way out of their current funk. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Phils starter Vince Velasquez only threw 19 pitches, pitching an inning and a third, before having to exit the game with a right elbow flexor strain. To say this is concerning would be an understatement. The Phillies starters have been struggling all season, and the news that Velasquez will be heading to the disabled list as a result of this injury leaves more question marks for the rotation. With the exception of Mark Leiter Jr., the relievers did a good job of keeping the scoring from becoming laughable.

The lack of offense didn't help matters. The recently activated Howie Kendrick hit a homer, which was good to see, but one player cannot be responsible for all of the offense. The Phils have been scored four or fewer runs in their last 11 games. That is simply unacceptable.

Tonight's loss cements the Phillies' tenth consecutive series loss. The team is a horrific 6-24 in the last 30 games. Regardless of whether or not they lose tomorrow, they will have had one of the worst months of May in franchise history.

WP: Dustin McGowan (2-0, 3.86 ERA)  ❖  LP: Vince Velasquez (2-5, 5.58 ERA)