The Hardball Times' Dave Studeman writes a regular column entitled "Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week". Today Balls, Sticks, & Stuff will look at the things we hope we know the answers to next week (if not sooner).
1. The Marlins and Astros are meeting this week for a series. They are the two teams ahead of the Phillies in the Wild Card standings...Who should we root for?
2. What will the final score be of the Eagles/Falcons game tonight? Of course, if you had that kind of foresight, you could make a lot of money, but this is a very interesting game on paper. The Eagles have probably maintained their position as the best team in the NFC, but after an off-season such as this past one, who knows how the team will perform? Plus, is this the season Michael Vick becomes a passer?
3. How many home-runs will Andruw Jones hit in Citizens Bank Park over the next few days? Jones has hit 49 home-runs so far on the season, breaking Hank Aaron's singe-season franchise record. I didn't get to see much baseball over the weekend, but I did see a clip of Jones reaching for a low and outside pitch, and with one hand coming off the bat, he managed to fly it over the right-field wall in cavernous RFK stadium. I believe that if the Phillies can hold Jones in check they could win at least one game in the series.
4. Will the Phillies series with the Braves have ramifications in the Rookie of the Year contest? Jeff Francoeur seems to be the consensus in the NL, but Ryan Howard is not far behind him. If Howard can hit a few meaningful dingers, it will go a long way to getting him the pub he deserves.
5. Will TSWWRN's hit streak continue? TSWWRN has hit .329 over the span of the streak, and more importantly, a .395 on-base average, which gets him to a whopping .314 on the season.
6. Why am I so bad at fantasy football? My team features Brett Favre, Deuce McAllister, Edgerrin James, Jerry Porter, Isaac Bruce, Reggie Wayne, Carnell Williams, and the Eagles defense, yet going into tonight's game I have no chance of winning for the week.
7. How will Eude Brito hold up in tonight's start against Tim Hudson? It's probably safe to say this is the biggest game of Brito's life.
8. What the heck is out there?!?
9. The New York Post is reporting that the Phillies need to make the playoffs for Ed Wade to retain his job. Does anyone really believe that is true?
10. If Ed Wade really does get canned, will anyone notice? Part of me thinks it will get a ton of attention and praise from Philadelphia sports fans -- it's something they've wanted for several years now, but on the other hand, the news could come during Eagles season...
