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Can Chase Utley Save the Phillies?

Philadelphia Second Baseman Returns From Broken Hand With a Big Bang

Aug 28, 2007

Utley is the Most Valuable Player on the Phillies. Will his return lead the team back to the playoffs for the first time since 1993?

Chase Utley hits Home Run in Return From Disabled List

Chase Utley returned from the Disabled List last night just in time for the Philadelphia Phillies' four game homestand against the first place New York Mets. Entering the series, Philadelphia was six games behind the Mets in the National League East divisional race, and they had fallen three games behind in the crowded National League Wild Card race.

In his first game since he broke his hand on July 27, Utley went 3 for 5 with a double, a home run and two RBI. The Phillies won the game 9-2, closing the gap in the NL East to 5 games and keeping pace with the San Diego Padres in the wild card race. His return was definitely welcomed by the Phillies.

Although the team performed admirably during the last month behind new second baseman Tad Iguchi, the resurgent Pat Burrell, and inspired pitching from Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick and J.D. Durbin, things turned south for the squad over the past ten days.

Hamels went down with an elbow injury on August 17. Defending MVP Ryan Howard failed to homer in ten straight games and watched his batting average drop to .256. The team also lost six out of eight games and fell from first place to three games out in the wild card race. Clearly, they needed a shot in the arm. Utley could very well be that shot.

But Can Chase Utley Make the Difference?

Until he got hurt, Utley was on his way to winning the National League MVP award. On July 27, he led the National League in hits (134), doubles (41), runs scored (80), RBI (82) and total bases (239). He also ranked second in batting (.336), third in slugging percentage and third in OPS. The All-Star was also playing a Gold Glove second base and was the Phillies best hitter in the clutch. The guy was clearly a stud.

Based on last night's performance, his hand appears to be healthy and he looks ready to contribute once again.

His presence improves the Phillies in four key ways:

1. Utley's return makes the Phillies lineup the best in the National League. Look at this offense:

SS - Jimmy Rollins (.292 BA, 35 doubles, 15 triples, 22 HR, 112 Runs, 26 SB)
RF - Shane Victorino (.285 BA, 73 Runs, 33 SB)
2B - Chase Utley (.339 BA, 18 HR, 84 RBI)
1B - Ryan Howard (34 HR, 106 RBI)
LF - Pat Burrell (.270 BA, 21 HR, 72 RBI)
CF - Aaron Rowand (.311 BA, 21 HR, 73 RBI)
3B - Tad Iguchi (.307 average with Phillies)
C - Chris Coste (.324 Batting Average)

2. Utley's presence will also create a domino effect. Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino will see better pitches, enabling them to get more hits and shake things up at the top of the lineup. As a result, Utley will have more RBI chances than Pat Burrell enjoyed while hitting third. Moreover, teams can't pitch around Chase with the Big Bopper Ryan Howard hitting right after him.

3. Utley also hits in the clutch, something which Philly has not done in the past couple of weeks.

4. His return also allows the team to move Tad Iguchi to third base. Iguchi has been a strong presence in the lineup, has World Series experience, and will also benefit from hitting in a more power-packed lineup.

Utley's presence should mean as many as 3 to 5 more wins for the Phillies down the stretch, and that could mean the difference between playing baseball and playing golf in October.

Now they just need Cole Hamels to get back on the mound.

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