Playing The Game

Baseball's ultimate "gamer" Chase Utley is back in the Phillies' lineup, and seems to be the current cure for what was looking like a long term slump for the club. Last night, the Phils won in fashion, with a 5-4 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 19th down in South Philadelphia. Highlights of the game included a game tying home run by Ryan Howard in the bottom of the 10th, five scoreless relief innings from Danys Baez (who usually is ousted before he records three outs), and most notably a scoreless top of the 19th from utility infielder Wilson Valdez; who joined the likes of George Herman Ruth as the only player to start in the infield and eventually tab the win on the mound. When Jimmy Rollins crossed home plate the clock above Ashbourne Alley was resting its hands right around 1:30 AM. With a day game later "that day," Manuel inserted Michael Martinez, Dane Sardinha, and Wilson Valdez into the starting lineup. The offense posted 10 runs, behind two hits and three RBI's from one Cliff Lee, and a three-run homer from the surging Raul Ibanez. When Cliff's line was closed in the 8th, the Phils held a 10-4 lead thanks to Chase Utley's first home run of the season; didn't keep the fans waiting too long. Jose Contreras made his first appearance off the DL and set the Reds down 1-2-3 in the ninth and the Fightin Phils pranced away with another series win in their back pocket. It seems to all be clicking right about now, and all the men in red are doing, is simply playing the game.

JD

Chasing Answers

Even though our hometown Phils are head and shoulders above the whole National League entering play Monday night, the night to night favorites haven't been exactly cruising. I have been on the success train with the Phils since play began on April 1st, and am wondering if I am the only fan who finds it painful to watch our lineup hit? Just a month and a half into the season the absence of Chase Utley has been magnified with every blank frame that the club posts in the box score each night. As the Phillies continue to lean on their stellar starting staff for consistent production, the team, front office, and fan base yearns for their prized second basemen more than ever. Surprisingly enough, the answers to the Phillies offensive woes don't only rest on the DL, but in their slumping corner outfield positions, who should be replaced even before we get "The Man" back.

As of Sunday May 15th, Wilson Valdez's .239 average has made him a virtual hole amidst the Phils linep, while his unofficial platoon partner Pete Orr's posting of .259 in limited at-bats hardly helps the cause. It is easy to say that the return of Chase Utley, in what will hopefully be in the near future, will quickly cure the offensive problems that have presented themselves so far this season. Aside from the Utley injury-saga, I will openly say that I am losing faith in "doing the right thing," playing a guy because he "deserves" the spot, or because he has "earned it" with some set of statistics that we just don't see. Charlie Manuel will ramble on about the lineup spot that he owes to 57 year-old vet Raul Ibanez, or career bench player Ben Francisco who hits with a cheese grater stick. The more John Mayberry Jr. and Ross Gload produce when called upon, the more I lose faith in Charlie's philosophy; which may have won us games in the past, but is losing us games now.

JD

The Best Friends: The Public Enemies

Is the constant ESPN coverage on the long lasting Lebron-D-Wade friendship supposed to make us feel better about the events that ensued last summer? Frankly, Lebron's announcement show, the arrival party for the big three in Miami, and the talk of "6 championships" still all makes me want to puke. The Miami Heat have hit their stride, and steamrolled both the 76er's and Boston Celtics to prove so. There are two hopes left to stop the the Miami Thrice from winning their first championship in their first year together, and that is the Chicago Bulls and a Western Conference representative in June. I would want to see nothing more than a Miami fall this post-season, which would trigger a drama-filled off-season for Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and most importantly baby coach Eric Spoelstra. There are talks of Dwight Howard moving to LA, or even Chris Paul finding a home in The Big Apple. If the Bulls or a Western Conference opponent can hold off the Heat, the inspired players around the league can form their own power houses this coming summer, and make sure Lebron will forever remain "ring-less."

JD