Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Roy Halladay, while wearing a Phillies jersey, pitched tonight

In four seasons with the Phillies, Roy Halladay became a fan-favorite. (Kevin Durso/SportsTalkPhilly)

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

You weren't seeing things earlier tonight - that was a slightly heavier Roy Halladay pitching on ESPN 2 in the National Baseball Congress World Series: 

Will we always be cool with detrimental effects NFL has on brains of former players?

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Just over five years removed from Junior Seau's tragic death, the most talked about story during the first week of NFL Training Camp wasn't the 2017 season. It was a discussion about the effects that the 1987, 1997 and 2007 seasons had, are having and will have on former NFL players. 

Last Tuesday, the Journal of American Medical Association published perhaps the most damning study about the effects that playing in the NFL has on player's brains. The most noteworthy finding in the study was that of the 111 brains of decesased NFL players, 110 of them had CTE. 

After reading the full study, I was left with one perplexing thought: will we always be OK with the detrimental effects that playing in the NFL has on the brains of former NFL players? 

Phillies trade Joaquin Benoit to Pirates

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

Prior to this afternoon's non-waiver trade deadline, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak completed one more trade. 

The team agreed to send veteran reliever Joaquin Benoit and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher Seth McGarry: 

Phillies complete four-game sweep of Braves

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By Nick Mandarano, SportsTalkPhilly staff writer  

Final: Philadelphia 7, Atlanta 5  ❖  

PHILADELPHIA — Nick Pivetta pitched 6.0 strong innings of baseball and was backed by some early offense to help him reach his fourth victory of the season. The Phillies put up a four-spot in the third inning to grab an early lead, which they never lost. After Pivetta's exit, the Braves threatened, scoring three runs in 0.1 innings against reliever Jesen Therrien, but it wasn't enough.

Five Phillies combined for nine hits in the ballgame. Hyun Soo Kim, who debuted for the Phillies today after arriving as a part of the Jeremy Hellickson deal, started in left field and walked in each of his first three plate appearances before striking out in his final at-bat.

The win concludes a four-game sweep over the Braves and marks the fifth straight victory for the Phillies, who will open a three-game series in Anaheim against the Angels tomorrow night. It's the first time the Phillies have swept the Braves in a four-game series at home since 1949 and the first time against any team since they were in Milwaukee in 2014.

WP: Nick Pivetta (4-6, 5.42 ERA)  ❖  LP: Mike Foltyniewicz (9-6, 4.08 ERA)  ❖  SV: Hector Neris (10)

Allen Iverson chose gambling in Chicago over his Big 3 game in Dallas on Sunday

 

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After missing his Big3 game on Sunday in Dallas, TMZ Sports has reported that Allen Iverson was out having a little too much fun at a casino near Chicago Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

Allen Iverson Hit Casino Hard Before Blowing Off BIG3 Game https://t.co/hKNg0CjH0z

— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) July 31, 2017

Luwawu-Cabarrot has patellar tendonitis, won't play with French National Team

By John Wetzel, Sports Talk Philly staff 

Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer reported today that Timothé Luwawu Cabarrot will be sidelined with patellar tendinitis and will not be playing with the French national team in the upcoming FIBA Eurobasket tournament. 

#Sixers' SG @timcabs is reportedly no longer training w/ the French national team due to patellar tendonitis. He'll miss #Eurobasket. pic.twitter.com/InNolMg6Ja

— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) July 31, 2017

Phillies Rumors: Club 'not shopping' Herrera, Franco

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By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

With just hours until the MLB's non-waiver trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies don't appear likely to make a shocking trade. 

According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, general manager Matt Klentak isn't shopping center fielder Odubel Herrera or third baseman Maikel Franco: 

Flyers Slated for 16 Nationally Televised Games in 2017-18

The NHL and NBC Sports released the list of nationally televised games for the upcoming 2017-18 season. As usual, the Flyers are well-represented.

The Flyers will play 16 games that will be televised nationally in the 2017-18 season, including four weekend games on NBC.

Phillies aim for fifth straight victory against Braves in Monday matinee

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By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia, PA — The Philadelphia Phillies (38-64) have been playing much better baseball of late, winning four straight and seven of their last 10. They conclude their series against their NL East foe, the Atlanta Braves (48-55), this afternoon at 12:35 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park. Atlanta has lost seven of their last 10.

On Sunday afternoon, the Phillies walked off against Atlanta for the second straight game. Vince Velasquez hurled seven shutout innings in one of his best starts in Philadelphia and Freddy Galvis slapped the walk-off single in the ninth, sending the Phils to their fourth straight win. 

Nick Pivetta will take the mound for the Phils in the series finale. He'll be opposed by Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Atlanta Braves (48-55)			Philadelphia Phillies (38-64)
RHP	Mike Foltynewicz		RHP	Nick Pivetta
	(9-5, 3.82 ERA)			(3-6, 5.73 ERA)

Flyers Goalie Pipeline, Led by Carter Hart, Provides Bright Future in Crease

(Kevin Durso/Sports Talk Philly)

By Jeff Quake, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

Throughout the past few decades, the Flyers faithful have witnessed the frustration of their beloved Orange and Black goalie tandem. Sure, they have had two good backups before, but the last time Philadelphia has had a legitimate goaltender was when current GM and former Flyer Ron Hextall was behind the pipes.

Ever since Bernie Parent retired, the Flyers have been trying to get back to the glory days of goaltending. Fortunately for them, the NHL Draft has served them well throughout recent memory.