Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is set to make his return to the Major Leagues on Monday night for the beginning of a series with the Cincinnati Reds. His return comes at a time when the Phillies offense is in desperate need of a spark, having scored three runs or less in nine games in a row. The return of the former All-Star can only hope the struggling lineup, but just how much of their problems can he solve?
Let’s look at the effects he’ll have on the lineup. First, Utley’s presence means that the Phillies will be seeing a lot less of Wilson Valdez, who has feeble offensive skills, and has been forced to bat as high as second in the order because of the injuries in lineup. Valdez ideally hits eighth, if he is forced to be in the lineup at all. The 33-year old infielder has done a decent job defensively, but at the plate he has been an automatic out and a regular double play candidate. Removing him from the lineup is an instant upgrade.
Utley will likely be put back into his familiar batting position in the three-hole right away. The return of their injured star will allow the Phillies to move Placido Polanco around in the order to fill other holes in the lineup. Polanco, who has been batting third out of necessity, will likely move back into the two-hole until Shane Victorino returns from the disabled list.
Once the centerfielder returns, he will return to the second spot in the lineup, and Polanco will be able to slide down into the fifth position to be a respectable right-handed bat behind Ryan Howard. The 13-year veteran doesn’t have the power to be an ideal five-hole hitter, but he’ll be able to fill the role far more efficiently than Raul Ibanez and Ben Francisco have been able to do so. 
Now what can Utley himself be expected to contribute? If he is truly healthy, then he should be able to the give the team a decent punch from the third spot in the order that they’ve been lacking all season. He won’t be able to perform at the All-Star level he was at several years ago, but he should at least be a semblance of his old self, and show he can still be a threat that opposing pitchers must always respect.
Chase Utley won’t solve all of the Phillies’ offensive woes, but he has a chance to help the lineup significantly improve from the level they’ve been at all season. He won’t make the hitting skills of Raul Ibanez and Ben Francisco improve, but he’ll help provide some much needed stability at the top of the order.
His return won’t make the Phillies offensive a force to be reckoned with like it once was, but he’ll help them become capable of scoring more than three runs a game. With the high-level of starting pitching that this team has been receiving, an offense that can score between three and five runs a night will be good enough to win a decent amount of games.
3 Runs a game.. Heck they aren’t scoring more than 2 Runs here lately !!!
I am not sure how well Utley will do, but the Phils Offense can only go up from where it’s been. I expect Utley to bat about .275 -.280 and add some punch to this anemic line-up.. They still need to add a proven OF who can consistently hit and drive in some runs with a little power to bat 5th to be able to protect Howard.. Who do the Phils target and who do they give up to acquire a decent OF, have to start thinking of the future with many old players in the everyday line-up.. Ibanez,Francisco, maybe Rollins, Schneider, Oswalt,Lidge,Baes, will all be gone from next years squad.. who is going to replace some of these players..
They need a hell of alot more than Utley. Everybody, media as the top culprits, think as this guy as the savior. What has he done the last three years? Mediocre at best. It’s been awhile since Chase you are the man! They need to make moves, but can’t. No prospects left, horrific contracts, too old & luxury tax looming. Doesn’t sound promising. Would love Pence or Quenton though. I’m not very optimistic right now. Hopefully i’m proven wrong.
Chase is the best player on the team and it seems like his calm demeanor and confidence rubs off on the rest of the guys. Considering we just scored more runs in one inning then we have all week….his return is definitely something positive!
@dECAR, why don’t you do some research and actually be a fan. Utley was hurt last year quite a bit, but the year before that he tied Reggie Jackson for most HR’s in a World Series — learn something.
Great game tonight and even though Utley wasn’t directly involved in the offense in the game, I do agree with Birdo that he brings a calming, get it done, type of attitude that’s a positve for the rest of the team… Reds are struggling lately, losing 6 games in a row, so jumping on them early is a way to keep them down and deflated..
@birdo, i am a huge Phils fan, and do not need to do research. Use your eyes that God gave you, and stop the pom pom waving. He has declined steadily the last three- four years. He is over hyped & over rated, & always gets a free pass from the media, because he hustles & plays hard. He does not realize that he is getting older & hurts this team by playing hurt & lying about his injuries. If he would have did something earlier he could have been here much sooner & this offense would not have been as bad as it has been. There are no medals, trophies or titles in sports for big nads & big hearts. You need to be a in the line up, & healthy to produce, not playing hurt. First he lied about his hip two years in a row, then his knee last year and this year. You do some research. I know what is right & what I see.
Also, it was a positive that they FINALLY scored more than 2 runs in a game. I’m just frustrated that this team is getting old fast and lacking good young talent to replace these guys. Who is going to replace Rollins, Utley, Ibanez, Polanco, Victorino & Ruiz in this organization..These guys are either done or close to being done. Brown & Mayberry? Please. They have no good prospects anywhere close to being Major league ready. Not to mention no good SS, 3B or Catcher prospects to be found.The only top prospects they have are pitchers & three guys stuck behind Howard. You can not always build your team hired mercenary style. They will not win a World Series with slop in the 8 on the field.
Hope i’m wrong, I want to be at another parade. Cannot win on pitching alone. They do not have enough pop in this line up. I’m also really sick of Rollins wasted at bats, even though he popped one last night. I’ll keep watching & routing. Maybe we can rape Wade again & get Pence. Wouldn’t that be hilarious?