This was a relatively quiet week, in fact it is considered the slowest sports week of the year. Most of the week was consumed by the MLB All Star Game, but there were a few events of note.

Most significant was the acquisition of Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics for three prospects. Blanton is 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA so far this season. He has struggled this season, but does provide the Phillies with a pitcher that can eat up a ton of innings and give the bullpen a rest at least every five days. If the Phillies can provide Blanton with the lead, he has shown an ability to hold on to that lead and win games.

Another benefit of adding Blanton is that it moves struggling pitcher Adam Eaton to the bullpen. Eaton has been the worst pitcher in the majors over the past season and a half with a record of 13-18 and a 6.06 ERA.

In actual baseball, it was not a positive week, as the Phils lost the only series they played. The Fightins dropped the last two games of a three game set against the Florida Marlins, despite a pitching gem in Sunday’s game by ace Cole Hamels.

In hockey news, the Flyers signed forward Joffrey Lupul to a four year extension. In 56 games last season for the Flyers Lupul scored 20 goals and had 26 assists.

Despite dropping two straight to the Fish, the Phils have maintained their first place tie in the National League East with the New York Mets, with whom they face off this week. The series starts Tuesday when Blanton faces off against the Mets’ Johan Santana in the new Phil’s first test. This is the biggest test for the Phillies this season as they will either solidify themselves as the number one team in the East, or they could conceivably fall to third. It seems only appropriate that they start this test with the man that is supposed to help turn their season around.