Somehow, the Phillies are still in the race for the NL East. That’s after losing three of five to the Mets over the course of four days.

After splitting a doubleheader on Thursday, Aaron Nola dominated Noah Syndergaard in a pitching duel after striking out 11 batters in seven innings in a 4-2 win. He gave up only one run on three hits. Meanwhile, the offense got the majority of their runs in the bottom of the first thanks to RBIs from Asdrubal Cabrera, Nick Williams, and Carlos Santana.

But things went downhill after Nola’s performance. The offense had no answer for Jacob deGrom, who pitched a complete game and gave up one run on seven hits with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 Met win. Jake Arrieta had a good outing as well, giving up one run off four hits in six innings. Odubel Herrera drove in a run in the seventh on what would also result in an inning-ending double play after he tried to stretch a single into a double.

The team then made the short trip to Williamsport for the Little League Classic, where Rhys Hoskins met the legendary Big Al. But as for the game, nothing changed. Nick Pivetta was not good at all, giving up six runs off eight hits in only 3 2/3 innings in an 8-2 loss. Carlos Santana scored the Phils’ only runs of the game thanks to a two-run homer. We also saw Odubel Herrera bat eighth. Is it time to see more Roman Quinn?

Somehow, the Phillies are a half-game back of the Braves as a result of them getting swept by the Rockies over the weekend. There doesn’t appear to be a team that wants to pull away, and the Nationals are seven games back. Speaking of the Nats, the Phils start a three-game series with them in D.C. starting tomorrow. Another look at future Phillie Bryce Harper?

“I think Harper winds up with the Phillies,” one rival GM predicted.

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The Roundup:

After Thursday night’s loss to the Patriots in the second preseason game, the Eagles went back to NovaCare for regular practice. And Carson Wentz returned to participate in 11-on-11 drills. That’s really good for his progression to week 1. Wentz and Nick Foles split first-team reps on Sunday.

As for the third string quarterback, Nate Sudfeld is turning into a good investment by the Birds after the Redskins let him go last year.

“I was very proud of Nate,” said Foles of Sudfeld’s performance. “I thought he went in and it’s not always easy to get a rhythm and I think that he was really doing a good job of letting them rip downfield, giving his receiver a chance. When plays were breaking down he was doing what he could with his legs but being as smart as he could, throwing balls away at times. I thought he played really well. I think just from the point he got here last year when he came from Washington, I think he’s improved like crazy and he continues to. So it’s fun to – he’s like a little brother to me – so it’s fun to see him go out there and sling it around a little bit and give us an opportunity to come back.”

One offensive player that didn’t have a great game was Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Big V wasn’t happy about his performance either.

“I felt myself open up too fast. I tried to correct it, but I could never correct it,” Halapoulivaati Vaitai said Sunday.

Vaitai was asked to reflect on the type of performance the third-year Eagles tackle thought he had put far behind him.

“The last time I played that bad was my first game my rookie year,” he said. “I’m glad it happened again – another wakeup call. I gotta protect the quarterback.”

On the other side of the ball, we might see Brandon Graham practicing today:

Also, the team signed a wide receiver who played on the Soul this past season.

Brent Celek is leaning towards retirement over playing for another team, including Dallas.

You can still get tickets to the home opener!

The Sixers added former WNBA star Lindsey Harding as a full-time scout.

Former Flyer Eric Lindros wants hockey to eliminate body contact.

Speaking at See The Light, a concussion symposium at Western University on Thursday, Lindros said it’s time for the NHL to seriously think about removing body contact from the game.

It’s a drastic suggestion — one at which a 20-year-old Lindros would probably roll his eyes. But if implemented, it could save the next generation from going through what Lindros and many other retired players are now dealing with, while also keeping the best parts of the sport intact.

“Let’s get right to it,” said Lindros. “You talk about me playing. I love hockey and I continue playing hockey. But it’s funny — the hockey I was playing all those years was really physical, and I have just as much fun (these days), but we don’t run into one another. We’re still having as much fun, the same enjoyment of it.

“We know concussions are down in a league without contact.”

He slightly modified his statement in a tweet:

The Union are one of the better MLS teams right now after shutting out NYC FC 2-0 thanks to goals from Cory Burke and Ilsinho. They’re also fifth in the East. The squad will take on New England next Saturday at home.

In other sports news, Richard Sherman isn’t a fan of the new helmet rule.

The Bengals cut starting safety George Iloka.

Klay Thompson’s dad says his son will re-sign with the Warriors and retire with them.

Former Eagle Marcus Smith was cut by the Seahawks. Jaylen Watkins, another former Eagle, tore his ACL with the Chargers and is done for the year.

Adrian Peterson is meeting with the Redskins today.

In the news, a junkyard fire in Frankford is impacting SEPTA and Amtrak service.

How much would you pay to have a cheesesteak shipped to your house?

Michael Cohen could be charged soon.