Can The Phillies Stay Red Hot The Rest of August? Can The Eagles Stay Healthy for 2026 NFL Season?

The Philadelphia Phillies are red hot, winning six straight games, and they are 13-5 in their last 18 games.  The Phillies are a season-high 12 games over .500. 

One reason the Phillies have played well is the resurgence of right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola.  In Nola's last nine starts since July 1st, he has a 3.63 ERA, and has 59 Strikeouts in 52 Innings Pitched.  Even though the Phillies are 3-6 in those starts and the offense is averaging just 3.5 Runs per Nola start, Aaron has stabilized the rotation with consistent quality starts.

The other reason why the Phillies are Red Hot is the play of Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm. In their last 30 days they are hitting .310 and .316 respectively, and have knocked in 38 runs between them. Will this continue, can it continue? The St. Louis Cardinals come to town for a weekend series. The Cards are chasing the Phillies in the wildcard hunt, trailing the Phillies by three and a half games. 

The Eagles finished their two-day joint practice with the A.J. Brown-led New England Patriots in Foxboro, Massachusetts.  The Birds and Pats will face off in their second preseason game of the month this Saturday Night 7pm at Gillette Stadium.  Catch all the Eagles action on 97.3 FM ESPN South Jersey with Merril Reese and Mike Quick.

"By all accounts" (many reports), the Eagles defense has performed well in Training Camp, and at Joint Practices this week.  But the Eagles offense is still learning their new offense under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, and there have been inconsistent results.

We all know the best ability is availability! Can the Birds stay healthy? Do the Birds have enough depth? We will see if 2026 First Round Draft Pick Wide Receiver Makai Lemon can get back on the practice field after missing multiple weeks with a Hamstring Injury.  Plus, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio told the media this week that there is no timeline for the New pass rusher Jonathan Greenard from a Pectoral Injury.  Greenard has not practiced for a few weeks after he sustained the injury in July.

Finally, the South Jersey Lifeguard Championships were held last week with Atlantic City winning it all. This Saturday will be our last Beach Patrol report with Jack Brooks, brought to you by McCann Realtors and the OCBP lifeguard alumni assocation.  This week, I will have interviews from the Gowdy’s in Ventnor. Plus, we will hear from Dan Stelman, who rowed VanDuyne from Atlantic City to Key West, Florida. We will cover it all this weekend in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim. 

On Saturday’s show, Producer Alex Berardis, former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dave Klemic, and Erin Ewing join me in the studio.  We will talk Eagles football and get you ready for Saturday night's Eagles game. Our first guest is the 2002 NFL MVP Quarterback Rich Gannon. Rich now does the Sirius XM NFL Radio Blitz show. Rich joins us at 10:30am.  In Hour Two, will talk about the Phillies plus our last Beach Patrol Report brought to you by McCann Realtors of Sea Isle and the Ocean City BP Lifeguard alumni assocation.

On Sunday’s show, Producer Alex Berardis and Erin Ewing join me in the studio. We will recap the Phillies week and go “On on the Mound” with former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene brought to you by Blitz’s Market of Ocean City. In Hour Two, Mr. Negadelphia P.J. Corda checks in, brought to you by the Vassar Pool Service.  The Negadelphian opines on Philly Sports.

All that and more this weekend in The Locker Room with Billy Schweim, every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to Noon on 97.3 FM ESPN Radio South Jersey.