🔮 Forecast the future | Sports Daily Newsletter

We’re one week in from the news that LeBron James is coming to Philadelphia, two days of Eagles training camp in the books, and a few days away from Monday’s MLB trade deadline.

That means we’ll continue to ponder how each of these teams will look in the coming weeks.

Maybe the Phillies will have addressed their need for a fifth starter or secured a right-handed hitting outfielder. (Or get help from their stars, more on that below.)

We’ll also begin to see how the Eagles’ offensive scheme works under coordinator Sean Mannion and the depth chart on defense. One area of clarity is Jihaad Campbell’s role. Now healthy, the former first-rounder looks poised to take a leap in his second year as an Eagle. Jeff Neiburg tells us why.

For the Sixers, there are still two months to go until we’ll see how this star-studded group meshes together. What we do know is that this is now a team with legitimate championship aspirations.

However, it’s going to take a lot more than individual talent to win. Gina Mizell analyzes what the Sixers will need from each of their five starters to get there.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio noted on Thursday that it “remains to be seen” if star pass rusher Jonathan Greenard will return to the practice field before Week 1 against the Washington Commanders. Still, Fangio didn’t express too much concern over Greenard’s absence from practice.

“He’s a veteran player, so he knows the league, knows how to play,” Fangio said. “But we’re going to be asking him to do some different things that he hadn’t had to do in his career, and that’s really what he’s going to be missing with this time off. He’s going to miss a good bit of camp.”

Fangio also spoke about the rest of the defense, including the battle for a starting safety job and Zack Baun winning “green dot” honors.

🔍 Observing: How did Day 2 of Eagles training camp shake out? Don’t worry, Jeff McLane has you covered.

🏀 Reading: If you’re following the LeBron James train to Philly, here’s the ultimate Sixers fan guide you’ll want to know.

📱Learning: About a La Salle rower who created an app that’s changing the way athletes train — and the future of rowing.

🤔 Wondering: What has Isabeau Levito been working on? Ellen Dunkel caught up with the South Jersey figure skater to find out.

Nine losses in 12 games over a span of 14 days have an effect on people, especially when the trade deadline is bearing down.

It caused Bryce Harper to channel John Lennon.

“I think we need some help,” Harper told reporters in Miami — and that was before the Phillies gagged a 6-0 lead into an 8-6 loss Wednesday, the worst gut punch at the worst time.

Harper isn’t wrong, but no matter what Dave Dombrowski does before 6 p.m. Monday, Harper’s plea for help must extend to his teammates, too. Because although he’s right about the need for reinforcements, it’s really the stars — three hitters, in particular — that must shine brighter.

Next: The Phillies open a series tonight in Baltimore at 7:05 p.m (NBCSP).

Bucks County native Steve Markle first became interested in pool at 13 years old, when he and his friends started making trick shot videos and posting them on YouTube.

Now Markle, 34, is a professional artistic pool player who’s ranked No. 1 in the United States. His trick-shot videos on social media have amassed more than 175 million views. He’s recently helped organize the WPA World Artistic Pool & WPA World Freestyle Artistic Pool championships, the biggest professional pool trick shot event in the world, coming to the area in October.

He’s done all this while serving as a police officer for the Lower Makefield Township Police Department. Get to know Markle and his craft.

We’re starting a new series — inspired by Pro Football Reference’s “Cups of Coffee” database — where The Inquirer has identified more than two-dozen living players who appeared in just one NFL game and played that game as an Eagle.

In our first story, Ethan Kopelman caught up with Marty Horn, a former star quarterback at Lehigh.

LeBron James chose a franchise that hasn’t won an NBA title in 43 years, has only one title in almost 60 years, and hasn’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs in 25 years. James chose the underdog city — home of “insufferable winners” — just like Bryce Harper, Pete Rose, and Saquon Barkley did, writes Marcus Hayes.

We asked: While there’s plenty of reason to hope regarding the Sixers and Eagles, is it time to panic about the Phillies? Among your responses:

Its past time to panic about the Phillies. Anyone who watches the team on a regular basis knew by the end of May that the bullpen was not major league caliber. With the exception of Duran the bullpen is pedestrian at best and its absolutely shocking when they get out of a jam without giving up a run or two or six. And please don’t torture us fans with having to watch Alvarado anymore. He’s almost as bad as Jordan Romano was last year. I think it’s pretty obvious Middleton tightened the purse strings this year when he let Ranger and Bader leave and the free agents they brought in were pretty much found on the clearance rack. Lifetime .220 batting averages tell you exactly what to expect but the Phillies sign them anyway looking for a rebound. The organization took a chance and the results are what we’re witnessing on a pretty much nightly basis. — Bob A.

Yeah I’m worried. When they get decent pitching, they can’t hit. When they get decent hitting they can’t pitch and field in general like AA. — Bill M.

Panic should have set in after game 6 on October 23, 2023 when we only scored 1 run. Major panic had to be after game 7 on Oct. 24, 2023. Scored a whopping 2 runs as they blew a chance to the World Series. Home field advantage. Bats went dead as they did in 2024 & 2025 post season. Why panic now? Same dead bats! Same guy who pays for the dead bats! They should have blown it up in 2024. All the Phillies have to do is look across the street. Make a change at the top and in less than 60 days on the job we can’t wait for the 76ers opening game. AND “Go Birds” Maybe Howie would be interested in a summer job to turn it around. — Ronald R.

It is indeed time to panic regarding the Phillies. Poor general management, poor farm system, poor judgement by those who manage the draft. Phillies passed on drafting Aaron Judge. Where are the Dominican players who are shown every morning as hitting the hardest and longest home runs etc? How did Murakami, the player the Phillies most needed, end up with the White Sox? Don’t expect the trade deadline to save us, we really have not much to trade with. Mattingly’s magic can only go so far, Phillies need hitters and pitchers asap. — Everett S.

Yes, it’s time to panic. Their starting pitching lacks depth, their offense is inconsistent, and their bullpen is a shambles. Could they get hot and win a series or two in the playoffs (assuming they make it)? Of course. Will they? Not likely. One telling stat. is run differential. In 2025, they were +132. So far this year: -15. — Doug R.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Marcus Hayes, Gina Mizell, Scott Lauber, Mia Messina, Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Conor Smith, Ellen Dunkel, Ethan Kopleman, and Lauren Jones.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for closing out the week with me. Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella