Philly Phutility

PHILLIES/CUBS (8:05pm EDT)

Hamels (11-8), the ace of a recently well-oiled starting machine will be taking on a former closer in Dempster (15-5).  This clearly will be a HUGE test for our beloved Phils as they take on the Chicago Cubs who own the best record in the NL.  Hamels will no doubt have to keep the Cubs right-handed lineup honest with fastballs and change-ups.  If he fails to get that change up working, this will be a long night for the Phitins.  Dempster has his own arsenal of pitches that, aside from a few rough early starts, no on has been able to get their hands on.

Count on a low-scoring event as the Phils are still having some subtle issues with RISP.  Ryan Howard is slowly coming alive at the right time, but the responsibility to put the pressure on Dempster will be with the Phillies first 2 hitters.  Rollins and Utley need to get on base in succession a couple of times in this game to wreak some havoc on the Cubbies.  Hamels bat at the end of the lineup and the ability to go to the opposite field could create a big inning for the visiting team.

SIDE NOTE: I believe that Gary Matthews (former Phil and Cub) will be singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.  The best chance to see this will be on WGN, but I hope that Comcast Sportsnet’s traffic department was busy today moving spots around so that they can get his musical debut at Wrigley.  Matthews says that he will not be singing, “root root root for the Cubbies.”  My guess is that he will let the crowd sing Cubbies, while he sings nothing.   Imagine if he says Phillies.  That will be a Sportscenter moment I am sure.  No word on when Harry K will be doing his solo, but a trip to Chitown would not be complete without his K-ness belting a few notes outta here.

LET’S GO PHILS!!

Eagles/Jets (6:30pm EDT)

I’ll be the first to admit that I do get pumped for the first preseason game, but once we hit halftime, the rest of the game and subsequent games are yawners to me.  But the Eagles must wittle down their team to 53 by 6pm on Saturday so there will be plenty of guys going all out.  Look for some gutsy play from guys you may not see play the rest of this year.

The game starts at 6:30 and should be on the Eagles Television Network….whoever is carrying that.  Hey at least we’ll get to see Brett Fav-rah toss a few balls around in his new uni.

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