Has Enthusiasm For Red October Faded in Philadelphia?

The Phillies are in the hunt for a playoff spot but with the way the Phillies are playing this month, you would never know it. The Phillies, who are two games in front of Arizona, went 5-5 in their last ten games. They are 9-12 in Sept with three games left in the regular season.

The offense is averaging only four runs per game while surrendering 4.8 runs in their last ten games. To make matters worse, Thursday night Luis Arreaz left the game with a left ankle sprain.  X-Rays were negative, so there is no fracture or bone displacement, but Arreaz can’t put any weight on his foot.  He will be out for at least the rest of the regular season. This team can’t afford losing him if they are to make a deep playoff run.

The Eagles head to Chicago to face the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Bears starting QB Caleb Williams is out with a hamstring injury, and might have to start their third string QB Case Keenum if backup QBTyson Bagent cannot clear Concussion Protocol.

This game won’t be easy considering the Eagles just got by the Commanders and Titans by a total of six points.  Chicago is trending upward, and remember the Bears ran all over the Eagles last year in the Black Friday game. If the Eagles offensive line plays up to their reputation, they’ll have a shot. If the Defense line can win the battle up front they have a shot. That being said, the Eagles are -4.5 favorites. 

The Flyers are already three preseason games deep as they prepare to start the 2026-27 season. The Flyers finish their preseason schedule Saturday Night at home against the Capitals, and then Flyers' season starts Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

The Sixers open up training camp on Tuesday, Sept 29th.  The NBA all-star Sixers line up will have all eyes on them this season. It will be very interesting to see the scrutiny this team will have on them in training camp. On the show Saturday we will hear from the former Sixers president and co-owner of the Sixers Pat Croce. Pat has a new book coming out “ Enjoy yourself Now”.

Plus tune in to see how you can win tickets to an Eagles game this season, as part of our team-up with The Sports Bash with Mike Gill as we will broadcast live from Maynards in Margate for the Eagles in London Watch Party on Sunday, October 11th!  We will cover all the hot topics this weekend in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim. 

On Saturday’s show, Producer Vince Focht and former Kansas City Chiefs WR Dave Klemic plus Erin Ewing join me in the studio. Will the Phillies make the playoffs? In Hour One, we’ll go “On the Mound” with former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene brought to you by Blitz’s Market of Ocean City.  I hope this isn’t Tommy’s last show of the season....In Hour Two, we have a very special guest. Former Sixers president and co-owner Pat Croce will check in. Pat has a new book coming out “Enjoy yourself Now”. Pat will talk about his book and time with the Sixers. Next we’ll get our “High School Athletes in the Spotlight” with Fran Mclaughlin brought to you by the Philly Pretzel Factory of EHT. 

On Sunday’s show, Producer Vince Focht and Erin Ewing join me in the studio. Hour One we will get the “Keys to the Game” with Fox 29 News Sports Director Scott Grayson brought to you by Blitz’s market of Ocean City. Grayson will tell us what the Birds need to do to win the game. In Hour Two, the Phillies will finish up their season and we hope to make the playoffs. Next my Fantasy Football Guru Brian Hartley checks in with his picks for week three in the NFL brought to you by Charlies Bar. 

All that and more, it’s The Locker Room with Billy Schweim every Saturday & Sunday from 10am to 12 noon on 97.3 ESPN.