Welcome Back, Mr. Utley

Chase Utley missed 28 games. Shane Victorino missed most of those too and Cole Hamels went on the DL a week ago. Ryan Howard has swung and missed at an alarming rate. Still, though smoke and mirrors and grit and heart, the Philberts managed to go 15-13 during the month that Utley missed. But don't kid yourself. This team needed this player back in the worst possible way. They were on their last limbs, and a big effort Sunday probably kept them just barely breathing.

Last night, in a series that is every bit as much a "must win" as a playoff series itself, Utley set the tone immediately. Jose "I am not as good as Jimmy Rollins even though I get all the hype" Reyes hit a sharp grounder to Utley's right. Does Iguchi make the play? Maybe. But Utley half dives, gets the ball, and throws out the speedy Reyes, telling his teammates that he is indeed back.

After the Phils jumped out to a 3-0 lead and J.D. Durbin threw the best 4 innings of his life (12 up, 12 down), the Phils survived a shaky 5th to cling to a 3-2 lead. And then....Chase Utley, 0-2 in his first two at bats, nailed a ball over the 409 foot sign for a dinger. You could almost see the relief show in this team, and it was evidenced the rest of the way as they coasted for a 9-2 victory.

The Phils are still 5 back of the Mets and 3 back in the Wild Card. And there are only about 32 games left. But Mr. Utley is back, and this team has spirit. They are going to get Victorino and Hamels back shortly. And if Howard can start hitting, this team can go on a roll. It is still a long shot that they will make the playoffs, but it sure will be a blast watching them try.

By the way, Jayson Werth has been red hot lately, and now has a hit in 9 straight at bats. That has not been done by a Phillie since the '50's. I guess he will get the start in right field again tonight!

I certainly hope that Country Joe West gets fined for so blatantly missing a call at first last night. Obviously it ended up not affecting the outcome, but at the time you just never know. I mean, even Harry Kalas could see that was a bad call live. Just brutal.

Phillies fans today, in addition to rooting for the Phillies to beat the Mets again, should root hard for the best pitcher in baseball, Brandon Webb, to get a win over the Padres in San Diego and cut that wild card lead.....

One more baseball prediction: after getting walloped 16-0 last night, look for the Bronx Bombers to ride the left arm of Andy Pettitte to a win tonight against Dice-K and the Sawx. With the Mariners failing to open up more than a 2 game lead over the Yanks despite some struggles for the Bombers the last 10-12 days, it will be tough to keep New York out of the playoffs with the schedule the have. And if they get in, look out....