Spring training officially started for the Phillies and most of the other Major League Baseball teams this week. I'm so ready for this and am looking forward to the season starting. Even with my enthusiasm and diehard loyalty, I will be surprised if the Phillies make the playoffs this year.
I say this because the National League East division is tough at the top. The Washington Nationals, reigning World Series champs, and the Atlanta Braves are going to be difficult to beat this year. I’m excited that the Phillies have a new beginning with manager Joe Girardi.
The biggest difference will be that the young players will not be able to get away with being lazy like they were last year. It will be important for Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and Andrew McCutchen to really step up and have big years.
Basketball
It is All-Star break time in the NBA. The Sixers are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. I am really at a loss to be sure how this season is going to end. It is possible for the Sixers to make the Eastern Conference finals or lose in the second round of the playoffs. I think it all depends on whether Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid can figure out how to work together as teammates.
The difference between their home and away record is really odd. As of now, they have 25 wins and only 2 losses at home, but have only 9 wins and 19 losses on the road.
In local sports, the Cape high women’s basketball team continues to win their games by huge margins. I hope they can continue this into the playoffs. What a season it's been for them!
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
