Tony Cingrani
2-0, 2.89 ERA, 0.96 WHIP

In his last start, Cingrani went four innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four batters in Cincinnati's 4-3 win over the Brewers last Friday. Cingrani only threw 85 pitches last week. He has not won in the month of May and, after only allowing three runs in three starts in April, he has allowed six runs in two starts in May. The Reds are 4-1 in Cingrani's five starts.

Cliff Lee
4-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP

Cliff Lee has been, arguably, the Phillies best pitcher this season. In Saturday's 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, Lee went seven innings  allowing no runs on just six hits. Lee went on to get his fourth win of the year. it was the second time this season that Lee had no allowed a run in a start of seven innings or more. lee is 2-1 in the month of May. The Phillies are 4-4 in Lee's eight starts this season.

Phillies Week Preview can be found here.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

Good morning! Friday has finally come and it is going to be gorgeous. Sunny skies in the area with an afternoon high of 76 degrees is what is in store for Philadelphia today. The Phillies kick off a three game series against the Cincinnati Reds tonight at home at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm.

The Phillies finally got a bit of good news regarding pitcher Roy Halladay today. The team announced today that Halladay underwent successful shoulder surgery yesterday in Los Angeles. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who was named a "Super  Surgeon" by Baseball Prospectus. Halladay was 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in seven starts this season with the Phillies. More here.

One of the biggest superstars that the soccer world has ever seen will retire from competitive soccer at the end of this season. David Beckham, who recently won the league title with Paris Saint-Germain, will retire at the end of this soccer season. The 38 year old appeared 115 career international matches for England, the most appearances for England non-goalkeeper all-time. Beckham is a pop culture celebrity across the world. More here.

The San Antonio Spurs had the Golden State Warriors on the brink of elimination last night in Game 6. The Spurs led from the start and never looked back. They were not outscored in any quarter by the Warriors. Like it used to be, Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 19 points and grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. If the Spurs were going to win, they needed Duncan to step up as Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili combined to go 4-for-22 (18.1%) from the field. The Spurs would go to win 94-82 to advance to their eighth Western Conference Final in the last 15 years. More here.

The Phillies finally got a bit of good news regarding pitcher Roy Halladay today. The team announced today that Halladay underwent successful shoulder surgery yesterday in Los Angeles. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who was named a "Super  Surgeon" by Baseball Prospectus.

The Phillies released a statement via Director of Medical Services, Dr. Michael Ciccotti.

"Roy had successful shoulder surgery yesterday. He had an arthroscopic evaluation and underwent debridement of his labrum and rotator cuff as well as removal of an inflamed bursa.

 He'll begin a progressive rehabilitation program and if all goes well, he may possibly begin a throwing program in 6-8 weeks."

The fact that there is a chance that Halladay could begin throwing by July is fantastic. before he went on the disabled list, Halladay was 2-4 with an 8.65 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP in seven starts this season with the Phillies.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

Received this email from a reader:

"You may not know it but I've been very busy over the past 35 years putting my thoughts and ideas together in a book about Golf. I am very proud of the results and in order to market the publication, I am asking friends and family to be the first to own a copy. Here's the Table of Contents from my new book, "Winning Golf Strategies," which I believe gives the reader valuable playing tips and insider information that I've gained through my own years of experience in the game and observations of my golfing partners.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1
- How to properly line up your Fourth putt.

Chapter 2
- How to hit a Nike from the rough when you hit a Titleist from the tee.

Chapter 3
- How to avoid the water when you lie 8 in a bunker.

Chapter 4
- How to get more distance off the shank.

Chapter 5
- When to give the Ranger the finger.

Chapter 6
- Using your shadow on the greens to confuse your opponent.

Chapter 7
- When to implement Handicap Management.

Chapter 8
- Proper excuses for drinking beer before 9 a.m.

Chapter 9
- How to urinate behind a 4" x 4" post ... Undetected.

Chapter 10
- How to rationalize a 6-hour round.

Chapter 11
- How to find that ball that everyone else saw go in the water.

Chapter 12
- Why your spouse doesn't care that you birdied the 5th.

Chapter 13
- How to let a Foursome play through your Twosome.

Chapter 14
- How to relax when you are hitting three off the tee.

Chapter 15
- When to suggest major swing corrections to your opponent.

Chapter 16
- God and the meaning of The Birdie-To-Bogey Putt.

Chapter 17
- When to regrip your Ball Retriever.

Chapter 18
- Use a strong grip on the Hand Wedge and Weak Slip on the Foot Wedge.

Chapter 19
- Why male golfers will pay $5.00 a beer from the Cart Girl and give her a $3 tip, but will balk at a $3.50 Beer at the 19th Hole and stiff the Bartender.

Hopefully you will find my book intriguing and purchase a copy. Please forward and hopefully more people will buy copies!"

Sounds like a book I could use.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

The Sixers finally have a team president and general manager as they hired former Rockets front-office man Sam Hinkie earlier this week. Hinkie's hiring shows a shift from the traditional basketball talent evaluation to a more analytical approach that fits more in line with owner Joshua Harris' personality.

With Hinkie coming from the Rockets and the 76ers with an open head coaching position, it seems logical that the new team president will take a look at his old team to fill the vacancy.

According to John Mitchell of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Sixers have received permission to interview Rockets assistant coach Kelvin Sampson for the open head coaching job.

Sampson has been with the Rockets for the past two seasons. Prior to joining Houston, Sampson was an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2008-2011.

Sampson has never been a head coach in the professional ranks but has been the head coach at some big time college programs such as Indiana and Oklahoma.

The Sixers are reportedly not the only team interested in Sampson's services. The Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks are also looking at Sampson as a potential successor to their previous head coach.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

Eagles offensive lineman Evan Mathis was considered the best player on the Eagles last year and many believed he was a Pro Bowl snub. He will be a key component in keeping the Eagles quarterback, whoever that might be, upright.

Well, Evan Mathis is much more than an offensive lineman. He is also an entertaining fellow on social media. He spent Tuesday evening trying to tell Dane Cook that he needs new comedic material. On Sunday, he was kind enough to remind everyone to call their "baby mamas" on Mother's Day.

Yesterday, Mathis chose a new target to poke fun at: the IRS. Mathis posted on Instagram a photo (see right) of him peeing in front of the IRS building. He captioned the picture: "Audit this."

This is funny in and of itself but what adds to it is that Mathis posted, rather sarcastically, "Poor IRS" on Twitter on Tuesday in response to Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Icognito.

It is nice to the Eagles actually doing something entertaining for the first time in a while.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

Good morning! It will be an absolutely beautiful day in Philadelphia today. There will be a mix of sun and clouds today with a high of 80 degrees. The Phillies are off tonight before opening up a three-game set this weekend against the Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies wrapped up their two game series with the Cleveland Indians yesterday afternoon as Cole Hamels took the mound for Philadelphia. Hamels had a rough outing as he labored through two scoreless innings but threw 51 pitches. The Indians eventually got to Hamels as he allowed five runs on six hits over five innings of work while walking two batters. The Phillies cut the Indians 5-1 lead to 5-3 on a two-out, two-run double from Jimmy Rollins in the fifth inning. Cleveland got it right back in the sixth on Asdrubal Cabrera's two-run single to make it 7-3. Jason Kipnis hit his sixth home run of the year in the 8th to give the Indians a 10-3 lead. Carlos Ruiz got his first RBI of the year in the bottom of the ninth but it wasn't enough as they would go on to lose 10-4. More here.

The Phillies were active yesterday as before the game they made a roster addition signing former All-Star pitcher Carlos Zambrano to a minor-league contract. The soon-to-be 32 year old pitcher was a decent pitcher in Chicago. He was a three-time All-Star, finished in the Top 5 in Cy Young voting five times, led the National League in wins in 2006, and also has some ability with the bat as he on three Silver Slugger awards as well. Zambrano last pitched in the Majors last season with the Marlins in which he appeared in 35 games (20 starts) and posted a 7-10 record with a 4.49 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. More here.

The Miami Heat took on the Chicago Bulls in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series with a  3-1 series lead looking to oust Chicago. The Heat did a tremendous job early on jumping out to an 18 point lead over Chicago. The last time the Heat had lost a playoff game when holding a lead of 18 or more points was way back in 2000 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks. The Bulls came storming back though behind a strong second quarter. They cut into the Miami lead and took a 77-69 lead to the fourth quarter. The Heat stormed back themselves taking control of the game and, ultimately, the series as they went on to win 94-91 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third consecutive year. More here.

The rocky career of former first round pick Rolando McClain came to an end yesterday as the Ravens' linebacker retired from the NFL. McClain signed a contract with Baltimore just a month ago. The eighth overall pick out of Alabama in 2010 by the Oakland Raiders, McClain was the last first round pick of late owner Al Davis. McClain 274 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one interception in 41 career games with the Raiders. He retires at the age of 23. More here.

It was a peculiar situation in last night's Phillies game as Charlie Manuel came out to the mound with two outs in the seventh inning to take starter Jonathan Pettibone out of the game. There were no runners on, Pettibone had started to settle in, and had thrown only 92 pitches up until that point.

What made it more questionable was the fact that he did not have the services of typical eighth inning reliever Mike Adams last night.

Adams, who had shoulder surgery in the offseason to repair Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, was sidelined due to discomfort in his back.

Following the Phillies 10-4 loss to the Indians this afternoon, Adams stated that he suffered a setback yesterday while throwing before the game. He required an injection in his back and said that he felt better today than he did yesterday.

This is certainly a situation that Phillies fans want to monitor closely. On the year, Adams is 1-3 with four holds and 19 strikeouts with a 3.00 ERA in 17 games for the Phillies.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports

The Phillies have stumbled a bit through the first month and a half of the season which has led many writers and fans to ask a relatively simple question: Why?

Such a simple question should have a simple answer, right? You’d think so but it is not so easy.

If the Phillies signing off-the-field problem Delmon Young in January didn't make you uncomfortable, Ruben Amaro Jr.'s next project might.

According to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies have agreed to a minor-league contract with former-Cubs and Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano.

Zambrano's reputation precedes him. With the Cubs, Zambrano was suspended by the team in 2010 for his antics and was suspended for 30 days in August 2011. He was ejected from a game against the Braves then proceeded to clean out his locker during the game and told team personnel that he was retiring. In addition to these incidents, he has fought with teammates and as erupted in fits of rage numerous times in the dugout.

The soon-to-be 32 year old pitcher was a decent pitcher in Chicago. He was a three-time All-Star, finished in the Top 5 in Cy Young voting five times, led the National League in wins in 2006, and also has some ability with the bat as he on three Silver Slugger awards as well.

He is 132-91 in his career with a 3.66 ERA in 12 seasons. Zambrano last pitched in the Majors last season with the Marlins in which he appeared in 35 games (20 starts) and posted a 7-10 record with a 4.49 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.

-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports