The Phillies Continue a Hot Start, While the Flyers and Sixers Begin Their Playoff Runs

Welcome to Phour for Phour, a weekly sports column that takes a look at all things Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers.

In this week's column, we'll take a look at dominant pitching performances by the Four Aces, a rough start for the Sixers in their return to the playoffs, and the Flyers first round match-up with the Sabres.

Let's begin ...

The Good

The Philadelphia Phillies continued their hot start to the season, going 4-2 over the past week, with wins against the Braves, Nationals and Marlins. Credit has to go to the pitching staff, especially when considering the Phillies have scored four or less runs in their last six games.

A look behind the numbers shows an amazing string of quality starts in their last four games. Starting from Halladay's complete game against the Nationals, Phillies starting pitchers have gone a combined 31 innings pitched, allowing only six earned runs while striking out 34.

That's a staff ERA of 1.74, with a 9.9 K/9 ratio.  That's certainly one heck of a week, and thus far, the starters have lived up to the hype. If only their success could rub off on Bloaten Blanton.

Question: How many of the Phillies starting pitchers will win 20 games? Post your answer in the comments!

The Bad

With the Flyers limping into the playoffs, was anyone surprised to see them lose game one against the Sabres in heartbreaking fashion? They spent the majority of the game in the offensive zone, but were shutout by Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller. 

Though they won game two, they also took 11 penalties in the process.  The Flyers power-play is still terrible, Pronger is still unable to suit up, and they still have a revolving door at goalie. 

Maybe they'll be able to capture some of last year's magic and go on a run, but this team just seems to have too many issues. Even when the Flyers play well, they still seem to lose.

Question:  What are your thoughts on sidelining Bobrovsky in favor of Boucher and Leighton? Post your answer in the comments!

The Sixers also end up on the bad side of things, blowing a chance to end the season with a winning record, and losing to the Miami Heat in game one, though that should come as no surprise.

If the Sixers were to make any type of statement in the series, they needed to steal game one. Instead, they were unable to overcome Miami's zone defense, and squandered an early lead as the Heat took over in the second quarter and never looked back.

The Sixers accomplished a lot this season, but it's oh-so clear that they're still not ready to compete with the top teams in the NBA.

Question: Should Doug Collins be Coach of the Year?  Post your answer in the comments!

The Ugly

The NFL lockout continues.

Normally fans across the country would be gearing up for the NFL Draft, anxiously waiting to see how their favorite team plans to address the roster holes that weren't filled via free agency.

Instead, we get to listen to millionaires complaining about not being able to feed their families, and their billionaire owners unwilling to loosen the purse strings.  Some players have even drawn a comparison between playing football and slavery, while others have made the news for taking out ridiculously high interest loans.

The lockout is particularly rough for the Eagles, as it makes it extremely difficult to try to trade Kevin Kolb, who is entering the final year of his contract. There's been widespread talk of the Birds being able to steal a mid-to-late first round pick for Kolb, but with the lockout, teams cannot negotiate with players, so even if a team were willing to give up a first rounder for Kolb, there is no chance without being able to negotiate a contract extension.

It's truly pathetic to see so many adults unable to agree on how to share an embarrassment of riches, and now tax dollars are being used as the fight makes its way through the courts.

Question:  What are your thoughts on the NFL lockout?  Post your answer in the comments!

Quote of the Week

"I got 'em," said Roy Halladay when approached on the mound by Charlie Manuel. Halladay then finished the ninth inning for his first complete game of the year.

Video of the Week

As a Philadelphia sports fanatic, I've never had to deal with a team leaving the city. The Sacramento Kings fans, however, are facing that very prospect right now. In possibly their last appearance in Sacramento, Kings announcers Grant Napear and Jerry Reynolds had a very emotional signoff, choking back tears as they said their last goodbye.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M06-ZfDT5JE

Looking Ahead

Here is the schedule for the upcoming week, including time and network info.

Monday:  

Phillies vs Brewers 7:05 p.m. on ESPN and PHL 17,

Flyers at Sabres Game 3 7 p.m. on CSN and Versus,

Sixers at Heat Game 2 7 p.m. on CSN and TNT

Tuesday:   

Phillies vs Brewers 7:05 p.m. on CSN

Wednesday:   

Phillies vs Brewers 1:05 p.m. on CSN and MLBN,

Flyers at Sabres Game 4 7:30 p.m. on CSN

Thursday:   

Phillies at Padres 10:05 p.m. on TCN

Sixers vs Heat Game 3 8 p.m. on CSN and TNT

Friday:     

Phillies at Padres 10:05 p.m. on CSN,

Flyers vs Sabres Game 5 7:30 p.m. on CSN

Saturday:    

Phillies at Padres 8:35 p.m. on CSN

Sunday:       

Phillies at Padres 4:05 p.m. PHL 17,

Flyers at Sabres Game 6 (if necessary) 3 p.m. on NBC

Sixers at Heat Game 4 1 p.m. on ABC 

If you have any questions that you would like to see answered in next week's Phour for Phour column, please email them to slavetologic@gmail.com, as long as they don't include the words "doop" or "soccer."