Playoff Baseball?

The regular season is coming to a close and the playoff picture is almost set. However, the question on many individuals’ minds is who will take it all this season. Which team will be the one at the pinnacle of the mountain when it is all said and done? Some teams have shown what they can do, and others like the Nationals have fallen from the top spot. The question is now, who can hold on long enough to get into the playoffs and get hot. There are several possible teams but two teams stand out to me as the possible World Series contenders when it is all said and done.

Blue Jays

I don’t  think there has been a better team or a more fun team to watch since the MLB Trade Deadline. With additions such as Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, this team now officially looks like the team to beat in the AL East. The New York Yankees have slowly lost their 1^st place standing and the Blue Jays currently lead the division. There is no surprise regarding the success of the Blue Jays offense. But what is shocking has been how well their pitching has kept it together. If the Blue Jays can keep their pitching strong and their bats alive, there is no doubt in my mind that we will see them in the World Series.

Pirates

I believe that this will be the season that will shock the world. I think the Pirates are finally putting everything together to not only reach the Post Season, but the finally play in that World Series game that they have hoped for. The Pirates have had the bats all season, and the great pitching of Cole. It has not helped the Pirates playing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, but this team has truly kept it together. They have beat every team that has stood in their way so far, and have the goal of winning it all. I truly think that if the Pirates can keep all the cogs in motion they will be World Series contenders.

Though there are several unbelievable teams such as the Cardinals and Royals, who have dominated their divisions. I do not think they will be able to keep it going in the long run. What my hope is that we get to see competitive playoff baseball. Nothing is more fun to watch then a no name player take center stage in their biggest moment of their career! So enjoy the playoffs!

-Brett

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Season- 4

Charlie Batch Former Steelers QB -- 1.16.15 1st (35th)

Eric Crouch 2001 Heisman Winner -- 1.19.15

Jim Jackson Flyers and Phillies Commentator -- 2.6.15 4th (38th)

Tim Kerr Former Flyers Right Wing -- 2.6.15 4th (38th)

Jeff Ruland Former 76ers Center -- 2.20.15 5th (39th)

Eric Valent Former Phillie & Current Scout -- 2.27.15 6th (40th)

Brian Propp Former Flyers Wing -- 3.6.15 7th (41th)

Billy Cunningham NBA Hall of Famer and Former 76ers Head Coach and foward/center -- 3.21.15 8th (42th)

Jim "The Rookie" Morris Former Tampa Bay Relief Pitcher-- 3.27.15 9th (43rd)

Jason Bergmann - Former Nationals Pitcher -- 3.29.15 10th (44th)

Paul Bako - Former MLB Catcher -- 4.12.15 11th (45th)

Mike Lieberthal - Former Phillies Catcher -- 4.17.15 12th (46th)

Shawn Estes - Former MLB Pitcher -- 4.24.15 13th (47th)

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Season- 3

Scott Eyre Former Phillies Pitcher -- 8.29.14 21st (1st) show

Reggie Wilkes Former Eagles LB -- 9.5.14 22st (2nd) show

Troy Vincent Former Eagles CB -- 9.12.14 23rd (3rd) show

Keith Van Horn Former Sixer SF -- 9.19.14 24th (4th) show

Jesse Boulerice Former Flyers Protector -- 9.26.14 25th (5th) show

 Jamie Moyer Former Phillies & Hawks Pitcher

Keith Jones Former Flyer Wing -- 10.3.14 26th (6th) show

Frank Coonelly Pirate's President -- 10.10.14 27th (7th) show

Mark Saltveit - Tao of Chip Kelly -- 10.17.14 28th (8th) show

Steve Grogan Former Patriots QB -- 10.31.14 10th (30th) show

Mike Bantom Former SJU Forward -- 11.10.14

Mel Owens Former Rams LB & Current Lawyer -- 11.11.14

Jerry Sisemore Former Eagles OT -- 11.14.14 12th (32th) show

Chris Therien Former Flyers Defenseman -- 11.21.14 13th (33th)

Mike Bartrum Former Eagles LS -- 11.21.14

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Season- 2

Vince Papale former Eagles WR -- 1.24.14 9th(2nd) Show

Dick Jerardi from CSN Philly -- 1.24.14 9th(2nd) Show

Steve Mix Former Sixers Forward -- 1.31.14 10th (3rd) Show

Jim Salisbry Phillies Insider -- 2.7.14 (4th) show

Dick Vermeil former eagles head coach -- 2.14.14 12th (5th) Show 

DeAndre Bembry SJU MBB Player -- 2.21.14 13th (6th) Show 

Bob Kelly Former Flyers Left Wing -- 2.28.14 14th (7th) Show

Todd Pinkston Former Eagles WR -- 3.21.14 15th (8th) Show

Pat Carroll Former SJU Basketball Player -3.21.14 15th (8th) Show

Gregg Murphy Phillies' Sideline Reporter -3.28.14 16th (9th) Show

Wayne Gomes former Phillies Closer -- 4.11.14 16th (11th) Show

Bobby Taylor former Eagles CB -- 5.2.14 20th (13th) Show

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Season-1

Chad Lewis Former Eagles TE -- 11.1.13 3rd show

Matt Gifford from scout.com -- 11.8.13 4th show

Sheil Kapadia Eagles Writer -- 11.8.13 4th show

Phil Martelli SJU MBB Head Coach -- 11.15.13 5th show

Matt Martucci Play by Play for SJU MBB -- 11.15.13 5th show

Mark Saltveit author of The Tao of Chip Kelly -- 12.6.13 7th show

James Hill from philahoops.com -- 12.6.13 7th show

Bobby Mansure from Eagles Pep Band -- 12.6.13 7th Show

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The Phillies Becoming Relevant?

With summer slowly coming to an end, it has come apparent that the Phillies are finally moving on from their past tribulations. The Phillies have been playing much better baseball.  The recent trade of Hamels and Utley no longer a starter for the team, shows that they are finally moving past 2008. The trades that the Phillies have made this past deadline have brought some promising prospects into the organization. Now that the Phillies have new talent in their farm-system paired with their existing talent, it looks as though the Phillies may have a future after all.

Young pitching like Aaron Nola, Kenny Giles and Adam Morgan has shown that these guys are worthy of sticking around with the Phillies for a long time in the future. Nola has shown that he can live up to the hype and get major league hitters out. Giles has proven time after time this season that he can close and that he will be around for a long time as this team’s closer. Adam Morgan has shown that he can pitch his way out of trouble. Though he has had some bad outings, I can tell that he has potential and can be a big league starter.

On the hitting side Franco has been the only young guy that has truly proven himself. Franco has made adjustments throughout the season whenever he is in trouble or struggling. He has shown that he can play in the big leagues, and that he is the guy to build the team around. Though Herrera is young and has shown us flashes of brilliance, I am not sold on him yet. I will need to see Herrera have a better approach at the plate to make me believe that he can stick around for a long time.

The Phillies are beginning to move in the right direction. The team is playing much better recently and that is because of the youth making their presence felt. These young guys have proven that they can compete in the MLB, and Pete Mackanin has proven he can get the talent out of them. This has now become a waiting game. It will likely still take a few years until this team can compete. It will not take long for the Phillies to become relevant again in this town if they continue their recent success.

-Brett

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