The Phillies will hold their annual Alumni Weekend the first weekend in August and this year is definitely not one to miss. During Alumni Weekend, former All-Star closer Brad Lidge will officially retire as a member of the Phillies and former All-Star pitcher Curt Schilling will be enshrined on the Phillies Wall of Fame.

Lidge, 36, will officially retire as a Phillie and throw out the first pitch on Thursday, August 1st. He retired this offseason but spent four seasons (2008-11) in Philadelphia. During his time with the Phillies, he was 3-11 with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP while saving exactly 100 games.

His most memorable season in Philadelphia came during his first year, 2008, when he went a perfect 41-for-41 in save opportunities in the regular season while going 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He then went 7-for-7 in save opportunities in the playoffs, including the final out of Game 5 of the World Series to clinch the title for the Phillies.

Schilling, 46, will be enshrined on the Wall of Fame on Friday, August 2nd. He spent part of nine seasons in Philadelphia going 101-78 with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. He won the 1993 National League Championship Series MVP award. Schilling's time in Philadelphia is often clouded by the events that led to his departure and the perceived "whining" he did to get out of Philadelphia.

Schilling ultimately was traded at the July 2000 trade deadline to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He won w World Series in Arizona before winning two World Series in Boston. He then later bankrupted a video game company he started and set the Rhode Island taxpayers back $75 million but that's neither here nor there.

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

Cliff Lee
4-2, 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP

Lee has really found his niche recently and pitched well on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. He battled for seven innings while allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven. The Phillies would go on to win the game 5-3 with a strong eighth inning. The Phillies are 5-4 in Lee's nine starts. In eight career starts against the Marlins, Lee is 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. However in two starts at Marlins Park, Lee is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

Kevin Slowey
1-4, 3.44 ERA, 1.44 WHIP

Slowey is coming off of his two worst starts of the year. He lasted just three innings allowing six runs on seven hits to the Diamondbacks on Friday night. In his prior start, he lasted just 4.2 innings allowing five runs on 11 hits in a 7-1 loss to the Dodgers. These two starts coming on the heels of his dazzling start against the Phillies as he didn't allow a run on just two hits on seven innings in a 14-2 embarrassment at Citizens Bank Park. Earlier this year he went 5.1 innings allowing one run on nine hits to the Phillies. The Marlins would go on to lose 2-1. In three career starts against the Phillies, Slowey is 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

Phillies Week Preview can be found here.

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

The Phillies success going forward rests heavily on the shoulders of former No. 1 prospect Domonic Brown. For the first time in the 25 year old outfielder's career, he is getting the opportunity to play everyday at the Major League level. He has been one of the better power hitters for the Phillies this year but his numbers reveal a lot more.

News out of the Kladno, Czech Republic is that Flyers forward Jake Voracek was in a car accident this morning around 11:30 local time in which he did significant damage to his Ferrari California. According to CSN's Sarah Baicker, Voracek is unhurt and it sounds like alcohol was not involved in the wreck.

Local police state that Voracek was at fault in the accident as he was traveling at a high rate of speed and swerved to avoid a truck that he eventually hit. He also hit a tree and telephone pole. The Czech native took full responsibility for the accident and paid all fines issued.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren released a statement: “I spoke with Jake this morning. He was involved in a car accident in the Czech Republic. Although his car did suffer damage, there were no injuries. Jake is fine.”

Voracek, 23, had a breakout year for the Flyers this season as he set a career high with 22 goals and added 24 assists for 46 points in just 48 games last season playing on the top line.

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

It is hard to believe Lincoln Financial Field is 10 years old now.

The Eagles have made minor renovations over the years; most recently, the wind turbines at the top of the stadium and the solar panels in Lot K. They are now going to improve the stadium even more.

The NFL owners voted yesterday to provide financial support renovations for Lincoln Financial Field in order to improve the fan experience.

Eagles team president Don Smolenski said in a statement yesterday, We are excited to have received league support today for our stadium revitalization project at Lincoln Financial Field. We will share the details of this project with our fans in the coming weeks.”

The Sports Business Journal's Don Muret reported last June that the Eagles would be doing between $60 million and $100 million worth of renovations to the stadium to improve all facets of the game experience.

A growing concern among NFL teams and owners is the improved viewing of games from home with the addition of High-Definition televisions, Fantasy Football updates, NFL RedZone among others. Teams are looking to improve their live-viewing experience as much as possible to make it worthwhile for fans to attend games in person.

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

Good morning! It is going to be another warm day before the weekend cold front rolls in. It will be partly cloudy today with a chance for a popup afternoon thunderstorm with a high of 87 degrees in Philadelphia. The Phillies wrap up their three game series with the Marlins tonight at 7:10 pm. Cliff Lee gets the start for Philadelphia.

Last night the Phillies were looking to bounce back after their tough loss on Monday at the hands of the Marlins. Tyler Cloyd got the start for the Phillies. He pitched well going seven innings allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out five. The Phillies got a solo home run from Delmon Young, two RBI from Dom Brown, and three RBI from Ryan Howard, who returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore left knee. The Phillies would cruise to a 7-3 victory and look to win the series tonight with Cliff Lee on the mound. More here.

The NBA held its annual draft lottery last night in New York City. The Sixers stayed true to form and will select 11th overall while the Washington Wizards jumped the Charlotte Bobcats to go from eighth overall to third overall. The Cleveland Cavaliers, behind good luck charm Nick Gilbert, son of owner Dan Gilbert, leaped the Orlando Magic to select first overall in June. This is the second time in three years that the Cavaliers will select first overall. They took Kyrie Irving first overall in 2011. More here.

The New York Rangers were looking to avoid falling into the dreaded 3-0 hole against the Boston Bruins last night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers struck first less than four minutes into the second period when Taylor Pyatt beat Tuukka Rask. Johnny Boychuk would tie it up early in the third period. The Bruins would take the lead with 3:31 left when Henrik Lundqvist stopped a bouncing puck but the puck bounced to the side of the net where Daniel Paille scored to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead which they would hold on to. The win puts Boston up 3-0 in the series. More here.

Tyler Cloyd
0-0, 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP

In his only Major League start of the year, Cloyd went 6.1 innings allowing two runs on two hits against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 10th. Cloyd left with the lead but the bullpen allowing their inherited runner to score. Mike Adams would later give up an eighth inning home run to Miguel Montero and the Phillies would go on to lose 3-2. Cloyd has never faced the Miami Marlins.

Jose Fernandez
2-2, 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP

The 20 year old Fernandez is coming off a solid outing against Cincinnati last Thursday when he went seven innings allowing just two runs on five hits. Despite the good start, the Marlins would go on to lose 5-3. Fernandez has faced the Phillies twice this year and as been brilliant. On April 13th, he didn't allow a run and only surrendered two hits over six innings and the marlins would win 2-1. On May 4th Fernandez was even better as he, again, didn't allow a run while only giving up one hit in seven innings and he only needed 82 pitches. He would earn his first Major League win that night.

Phillies Week Preview can be found here.

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

Good morning! This muggy morning is only going to get warmer as there will be a mix of sun and clouds in the area today with a possible stray thunderstorm coming later in the afternoon. The high in Philadelphia is expected to reach 86 degrees. The Phillies are back in action tonight in Miami taking on the Marlins at 7:10 pm.

The Phillies opened their three game series with the Marlins last night with Cole Hamels on the mound. Hamels was 1-6 entering the night and the Phillies were 1-8 in his first nine starts of the season. Last night Hamels had another solid outing going six innings allowing just two runs on seven hits. He left with the Phillies trailing 2-1. The bullpen wasn't able to keep it close as Phillippe Aumont allowed two of the three eighth inning runs to score and the Phillies would go on to lose 5-1 to the Marlins. More here.

The bad news for the Phillies did not entirely revolve around the loss to the hapless Marlins. Catcher Carlos Ruiz was placed on the disabled list yesterday with a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered in Sunday's win over the Reds. Ruiz, who served a 25-game suspension to start the season, was hitting just .235 with two RBI in 16 games this season. He had an MRI yesterday and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks. Humberto Quintero met the team in Miami after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. More here.

The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks met at Joe Louis Arena last night in Detroit with their series tied 1-1. Detroit would score two goals just 31 seconds apart to take a 2-0 lead through two periods. In the third Patrick Kane would cut the lead to 2-1 then the Blackhawks appeared to had tied the game at 2-2 when Andrew Shaw scored in front of the net but was called for goaltender interference. Upon review, there was not contact between Shaw and Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard but the goal was disallowed. Detroit would respond on Pavel Datsyuk's snipe goal a few moments later to make it 3-1 and give Detroit the 2-1 series edge. More here.

Cole Hamels
1-6, 4.61 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

Hamels was hit hard in his last start on Wednesday against Cleveland. He allowed five runs on six hits while throwing 106 pitches over five innings to earn the loss. The loss moves him to 0-3 in three starts in May with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Overall the Phillies are 1-8 in Hamels nine starts this season with the lone win coming on April 28th against the Mets.

Alex Sanabia
2-6, 5.00 ERA, 1.76 WHIP

Sanabia had a rough outing last Wednesday against the Reds. He allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings of work. He has gotten the loss in each of his last five starts. In three May starts, Sanabia is 0-3 with a 5.28 ERA and an astonishing 2.02 WHIP. The Phillies hit Sanabia on May 2nd when they scored four runs on six hits in his five innings of work en route to a 7-2 Philadelphia victory. In two career starts vs. the Phillies, Sanabia is 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.

Phillies Week Preview can be found here.

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

Monday: @ Marlins (7:10 pm - Hamels)
Tuesday: @ Marlins (7:10 pm - Cloyd)
Wednesday: @ Marlins (7:10 pm - Lee)
Thursday: OFF
Friday: @ Nationals (7:05 pm - Kendrick)
Saturday: @ Nationals (7:15 pm - Pettibone)
Sunday: @ Nationals (1:35 pm - Hamels)

The Marlins enter the series with the Phillies struggling mightily. They have lost 10 of their last 12 games and are currently tied with the Houston Astros for the worst record in Major League Baseball at 12-32. They ranked dead-last in MLB in batting average (.220), runs (117), on-base percentage (.282), and slugging percentage (.317).

Player to Watch: Justin Ruggiano - Ruggiano is only hitting .206 but leads the Marlins in seemingly every other offensive category. Ruggiano leads the Marlins in homeruns (seven), RBI (16), runs (18), and OPS (.688). He is a career .278 hitter against the Phillies with four homeruns and 11 RBI in 16 starts.

The Washington Nationals won 98 games last year but have not gotten out to the kind of start they had hoped for. The Nationals are just 23-21 and have not shown the offensive power many expected. They are 27th out of 30 teams in runs (155), 28th in slugging percentage (.373), and 29th in both batting average (.230) and on-base percentage (.282). They come in having lost four of their last six and six of their last nine games.

Player to Watch: Bryce Harper - The reigning National League Rookie of the Year has proven that he is, in fact, the real deal. He lead the Nationals in pretty much every single major offensive category: batting average (.297), homeruns (11), RBI (22), runs (26), and OPS (1.011). In his career against the Phillies, Harper is hitting .313 with two homeruns and eight RBI in 17 starts.

The Phillies have issues in their pitching staff and in their lineup. They are not getting the kind of clutch hitting they are going to need to be considered a legitimate threat. As of May 14th, they are hitting just .241 with runners in scoring position compared to the NL average of .250. The Phillies are hitting just .155 with two strikes which falls below the .172 NL mark. It is not a crazy difference but a difference nonetheless. 

The most shocking numbers come from the Phillies slash line (batting average/ on-base percentage/ slugging percentage) in a 3-1 count: .286/.583/657. Those numbers are not bad but, remember, this is the ultimate hitter’s count. The National League average sits at: .352/.686/.700 which is significantly more productive than the Phillies’ line.

When broken down by position, it gets interesting. For the Phillies, only second base (.272/.325/.464) and third base (.317/.400/.400) have batting averages higher than .258. Catcher (.201/.250/.284) and right field (.205/.299/.307) bring up the rear for the eight every day positions (pitcher excluded).

They have been dealt two blows to their pitching staff this week. Roy Halladay will be out for the next few months but did have successful shoulder surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles. In addition to Halladay's surgery, reliever Mike Adams has been suffering from back spasms and a trip to the disabled list is not out of the question as he had a setback earlier this week.

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