Welcome back to another edition of the Delco Baseball Now newsletter, where unlike Chick-Fil-A, we are open on Sundays.

We did not have a ton of action in the area on Saturday, but we did see a couple of different pitchers throw absolute gems in wins for their team, so that helps a bit.

We also talk MSBL semifinals and about another great Phillies series win, as always, we appreciate anyone who subscribes below to stay up to date:

Delco League:

If you are unfamiliar with Upper Darby’s Kevin McGovern, now is probably the time to change that.

The 36-year-old lefty pitched in Double-A with the St. Louis Cardinals back in 2021 as a Philly area guy as he went to Archbishop Ryan and also Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia University at the time) for college ball.

McGovern has had silly stats this season. He is 7-0 with a 0.76 ERA and has 82 strikeouts compared to just 11 walks. I wonder what it’s like to be that good at something.

McGovern has been excellent all year of course, but this 17 K game with 126 pitches thrown was something else. It’s pretty uncommon for pitchers to win the Delco League regular season MVP award, but he has a very strong case.

Wayne’s Tommy Bradley also has a great case. The Bonner alum and recent National Champion with Rowan County-Gloucester has a 0.80 ERA this season and 63 strikeouts to just 19 walks. He as well carried over that regular season dominance.

An interesting development for Wayne is that Alden Mathes was the first arm out of the bullpen in this game. The former Marple Newtown and Clemson outfielder had only pitched in one game all season, but throws gas from the left side and could be a weapon out late in games for Wayne.

Steven Wells homered again, but that isn’t really news. That’s just another day at the office for the former professional baseball player.

MSBL:

While the Delco League semis are a best-of-five series, the MSBL playoffs are best-of-three all the way.

The Collingdale Colts and Springfield Cardinals will need that third game after they split a doubleheader yesterday. It looked like the 2023 Champion Colts were dead after getting shutout in Game 1, but a great start from Dan Whalen and homers by Corbin Nyemah and Jabair Kahn forced a Game 3.

I do not know where the championship will be held next weekend, but I do know that as of right now it is supposed to be a doubleheader on Saturday with the if necessary game Sunday. Our home field of Dermond Park is having the fences taken down on Thursday due to football training camp, so I would guess the games will either be held at O’Hara or Bonner instead depending on Delco League schedules.

Phillies:

A sweep sure would be nice, wouldn’t it?

I feel like there have been SO many times this year where the Phillies win the first two games of a series then take their foot off the gas and allow the team they are playing to take game three.

You have one of the best pitchers in baseball on the mound in Zack Wheeler, please don’t let this opportunity slip away. Especially considering the fact that the Mets have won six in a row, they have to keep pace.

Side note: It’s been very nice to see the resurgence of JT Realmuto of late. I thought he was absolutely cooked, but he has looked like a different player since July began. That would be huge to get the old JT back.

Now let’s trade for Eugenio Suarez.