On the first game, Chase Utley returned to the lineup, Chase Utley went 0-5 yet, the next day, all of the Phillies followers were giving him credit for being reason the Phillies offense exploded.
Utley is currently batting .208 and yet still being given credit for the surge in the Phillies offensive output. He’s got five hits in the seven games he’s played since coming back, yet he’s considered by some as the main reason the Phils have got their offense going.
Seriously, you’ve got so called baseball experts saying that Utley’s mere presence in the lineup has energized the bats. They say he brings an energy to the ball club which gets the bats going. I guess he touches everybody’s bat before they go to the plate. I don’t know if they have him touch everybody’s bat before the game or he does it immediately before each Phillies goes into the on deck circle.
I had to laugh at the fact that they say Utley has made such a difference. I think that’s a case of trying to find a reason to give Utley the credit whether he deserves it or not.
After thinking about those comments about him bringing energy to the ball club, I couldn’t help but think that it’s too bad he didn’t bring that same energy to the ball club when the Phils were struggling to score any runs last year in the playoffs.
The guys who have been the difference in the lineup have been Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Domonic Brown and Placido Polanco.
Regardless of his output at the moment…Is he an easy out? Does he make pitchers fight to get him out? Is he a longball threat?
No,yes,and yes.
I agree it’s the other guys stepping up thats given them a surge but Chase being back lets these guys no theres a guy in that spot who’s not gonna be a easy out.
I would think he touches there batting gloves.Bats can be broken and what if Chase is on base and unable too touch the new bat?
having him back helps everything. 1) No easy out when hes up (as erock stated). 2. guys start getting back to their normal place in the lineup. 3. Guys get energized because the line up we expected is starting to take form. I think they still need a solid bat to help out and expect them to grab a guy at the deadline.
Pmans prediction of 92 wins or whatever and 2nd behind ATl is as good as gone.
You could be right Stevo,
Utley’s return and Brown’s call up have definitely sparked the team and their bats and it always helps facing the Mets/Nationals Pitching Staffs..
Lot of baseball to be played but the Phils are looking pretty good to get to Triple Digits in Wins.. I am now working on a story about the Disappearance of both Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels from a local eatery close to the Reading Terminal Market… It should be done by Thursday or so..
Obviously Utley hasn’t been producing to suggest that he is the reason for the Phillies offensive surge, but look at 3 of the 4 guys you mentioned as being the reason for it……. They were on the team all season and before Utley came back when the offense looked dreadful. Maybe it is all coincidence that they happened to be lighting it up now that Utley is back? I don’t know, but I could see how his mere presence could have an effect on the rest of the team.
Does anyone think that Cliff Lee is living up to his Contract..for I Don’t
What’s his record now 4-5 with an ERA up around 4.00. Sure he has a lot of strikeouts, but he has probably given up more hits,runs,home runs than any Pitcher on the Phils Staff… He has been consistently inconsistent thus far and especially behind the other 3 Pitchers and does not deserve the #2 Status of the Staff.. Should be Halladay/Hamels/Oswalt/Lee
pman- lee will be fine. He is a playoff pitcher.
Their outfield is abysmal & still hard to watch. God I hope Victorino comes back healthy. I know your getting a little more from Ibanez & Brown. But it’s nothing earth shattering. This team still strands too many runners, especially in scoring position & they commit too many easy outs. I know it’s early but Amaro needs to deal for a power R- handed bat. It’s amazing they are still holding on to first. Is the rest of the NL East this bad? How did they lose 2 of 3 to the stinking Nats?
Utley has made a positive difference, but the Phils still need/will get a right-handed bat to help out.