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The Phillies seemed to be letting their age finally catch up with them, but a 7-3 record in their last 10 games might be giving fans pause. Cliff Lee capped off their excellent run Wednesday with a three-hit shutout, and though it was agains the hapless Marlins, SweetSpot's David Schoenfield is seeing reasons for Philadelphia to be buyers at the trade deadline. They're just below .500, but even a single cold streak from one of the teams ahead of them could make them contenders for a wild-card spot -- or, wonder of wonders, the top spot in the fragile National League East.

What do you think? Leave your comments below.


Playoff contenders?

Despite a weak offense and a near-unfathomable 1-7 start from Cole Hamels, the Phillies have managed to keep treading water. If their bats wake up, they could be quite dangerous.

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Will the Phillies (23-24) make the playoffs?

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    35%
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    65%

Discuss (Total votes: 275)

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Should RG III run less?

In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Robert Griffin III's father said the Redskins need to devise an offensive game plan in which RG III throws more and runs less. Do you agree? Do you expect the Redskins' QB to be back by Week 1? Vote now!

  • Do the Redskins need to devise an offensive game plan that has Robert Griffin III passing more and running less?

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      82%
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      18%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,127)

  • If you were Robert Griffin III, would you be irritated by your father talking to The Washington Post about the Redskins' offensive system?

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      59%
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      41%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,065)

  • Will Robert Griffin III be starting at QB for the Redskins in Week 1?

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      76%
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      24%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,078)

  • Which of these NFC East QBs would you want leading your team?

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      38%
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      53%
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      4%
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      5%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,111)

  • Will the Redskins win the NFC East this season?

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      37%
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      63%

    Discuss (Total votes: 1,034)

  • Which of these QBs will have the best sophomore season?

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      16%
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      55%
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      29%

    Discuss (Total votes: 12,737)

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LeBron James hits Game 1 winner

LeBron James did it again -- this time, putting up a triple-double before hitting a game-winning layup in overtime of Game 1. Strangely enough, Pacers coach Frank Vogel kept Roy Hibbert, his best defender, on the bench in the final seconds, leaving only an overmatched Paul George to guard LeBron. Would the outcome of this game have been different if Hibbert was left in?

Would LeBron James have scored the game-winning basket in overtime of Game 1 if Roy Hibbert was in the game?

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    48%
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    52%

Discuss (Total votes: 54,151)

  • Did Frank Vogel make a mistake taking Roy Hibbert out for the Pacers' last two defensive possessions in Game 1?

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      85%
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      15%

    Discuss (Total votes: 19,663)

  • What has coach Frank Vogel been to the Pacers in the playoffs?

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      70%
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      30%

    Discuss (Total votes: 13,345)

  • Is LeBron James the most clutch player in the NBA right now?

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      49%
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      51%

    Discuss (Total votes: 19,591)

  • Which team will win the Pacers-Heat Eastern Conference final? (Heat lead 1-0)

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      32%
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      68%

    Discuss (Total votes: 63,570)

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Craig Kimbrel
Kimbrel won the 2012 NL Rolaids Relief Man Award.

Welcome to SportsNation! On Thursday, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel stops by to chat about the baseball season.

Kimbrel, @kimbrel46, has led the National League in saves the last two seasons. He set a rookie single season saves record in 2011 with 46, en route to the Rookie of the Year. He was the first pitcher to lead the league in saves in his first two years since Rawly Eastwick in 1975-76.

Send your questions now and join Kimbrel Thursday at noon ET!

More Special Guests: Previous chats | SportsNation

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LeBron James

LeBron James drove to the basket and made a layup at the buzzer to give the Heat a 103-102 win over the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. NBA players immediately took to Twitter to react to James' basket and the Pacers' decision to keep rim-protector Roy Hibbert on the bench for the final play.

Join the conversation and follow us on Twitter @ESPN.

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AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Michael Crabtree tears Achilles

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree recently had surgery for a torn Achilles suffered in practice and is expected to miss at least six months. This could dramatically alter the outlook of the 49ers-Seahawks rivalry in the NFC West and dampen the Niners' Super Bowl hopes. What does this mean for San Francisco, who needs to step up, and will we see a speedy recovery with Crabtree catching passes before the season is over?

Which team will win the NFC West this season?

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    44%
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    50%
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    2%
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    4%

Discuss (Total votes: 16,118)

  • How much does the injury to Michael Crabtree hurt the 49ers' Super Bowl hopes?

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      48%
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      52%

    Discuss (Total votes: 16,340)

  • Will Michael Crabtree play at any point in the 2013 season?

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      37%
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      39%
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      24%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,891)

  • Will Anquan Boldin, who hasn't had 1,000 yards receiving since 2009, hit the mark this season with the 49ers?

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      61%
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      39%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,550)

  • Which of these players needs to step up the most in the absence of Michael Crabtree?

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      40%
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      53%
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      7%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,520)

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Mike Krzyzewski turned Team USA men's basketball around after a disappointing bronze medal finish in the 2004 games -- now, he's reportedly decided to remain on the team for the 2016 games, despite saying he planned on ending his international career after winning gold in 2012. Can you name every man to coach the team since 1984? Take our quiz now!

More games from ESPN Arcade »

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Kirby Lee/US Presswire

Schedule changes for the NFL?

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is still interested in cutting two preseason games and replacing them by expanding the regular season to 18 games or expanding the postseason. Does the NFL need to trim its preseason slate? Is adding more regular-season games or playoff games a better alternative? Vote below!

Which slate of NFL games would you prefer?

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    30%
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    32%
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    38%

Discuss (Total votes: 24,842)

  • Do you watch NFL preseason games?

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      36%
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      64%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,867)

  • Which part of the NFL season other than the actual games do you enjoy most?

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      71%
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      29%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,745)

  • How many preseason games do NFL teams need to get ready and make personnel decisions?

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      4%
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      4%
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      53%
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      27%
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      12%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,516)

  • Which would you be most interested in attending?

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      33%
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      45%
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      22%

    Discuss (Total votes: 5,484)

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Bears great Brian Urlacher has announced his retirement after 13 years in the league. Urlacher recorded 1,353 tackles, 41.5 sacks, and 22 interceptions in his illustrious career, and though he never won a Super Bowl, he'll likely be an early entry into the Hall of Fame. The Bears have had their share of great linebackers, but where does Urlacher rank on the all-time list? Submit your rankings now!

NFL's greatest linebackers

Chuck Bednarik

Chuck Bednarik

Eagles: 1949-1962

Dick Butkus

Dick Butkus

Bears: 1965-1973

Derrick Brooks

Derrick Brooks

Buccaneers: 1995-2008

Jack Ham

Jack Ham

Steelers: 1971-1982

Jack Lambert

Jack Lambert

Steelers: 1974-1984

Willie Lanier

Willie Lanier

Chiefs: 1967-1977

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis

Ravens: 1996-2012

Willie McGinest

Willie McGinest

Patriots: 1994-2005

Browns: 2006-2008

Ray Nitschke

Ray Nitschke

Packers: 1958-1972

Junior Seau

Junior Seau

Chargers: 1990-2002

Dolphins: 2002-2005

Patriots: 2006-2009

Mike Singletary

Mike Singletary

Bears: 1981-1992

Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor

Giants: 1981-1993

Derrick Thomas

Derrick Thomas

Chiefs: 1989-1999

Andre Tippett

Andre Tippett

Patriots: 1982-1993

Brian Urlacher

Brian Urlacher

Bears: 2000-2012

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Angels' Mike Trout hits for cycle

At 21 years, 288 days old, Mike Trout became the youngest player in AL history to hit for the cycle on Tuesday, nearly making it a natural cycle, by going single, triple, double, home run. After winning the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year and finishing second in the AL MVP voting, Trout is proving in 2013 that he is no one-year wonder.

  • The record for cycles in a career is three. Mike Trout hit his first Tuesday night at age 21. Will he hit more than three in his career?

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      62%
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      38%

    Discuss (Total votes: 40,121)

  • How many MVP awards will Mike Trout win in his career?

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      6%
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      22%
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      47%
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      25%

    Discuss (Total votes: 8,435)

  • Mike Trout is projected to finish the season batting .293, with 32 HR, 122 RBI, 112 R, 32 SB. How will his final stats compare?

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      34%
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      49%
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      17%

    Discuss (Total votes: 8,438)

  • Which player has a better chance to win AL MVP this year?

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      75%
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      25%

    Discuss (Total votes: 8,588)

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