Chooch aside, and that's a pretty big aside, the Phils triumph last night against San Diego did little to inspire much confidence. Just take a look at the box score for San Diego. Hardly the '27 Yankees. Hardly the '12 Phillies for that matter.
Back to Chooch, it's hard to imagine where the Phils would be without his steady hand, head, glove, arm AND bat. Actually, it isn't hard to imagine. They'd be even deeper in the cellar.
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I had the misfortune to catch the Chase Utley "interview" on DNL the other night. Utley has perfected many aspects of baseball in his illustrious career, none better than saying nothing while moving his lips.
Here we are, eight months since the finish of last season and Utley has yet to take ground balls. He has to "listen to his body" before pushing himself in this phase of the game. It has become hard to imagine what would have taken more time; rehab or an operation. Now I am not a doctor and I don't play one even on the internet. It's entirely possible surgery was never a real option. What is less clear is whether or not the recovery time would have been longer had it been an option and performed.
If Utley has yet to field the ball, he isn't likely to be back soon...if at all.
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A digression.....
The Sixers are celebrating their passage into the second round of the playoffs, the first time in nine years they have advanced this far. In the course of beating Chicago more than a few people close to and/or following the team have pointed out how rare it is for an eight seed to beat a number one seed. Furthermore, the defensive among the aforementioned group are quick to discount the victory came when Chicago was without its two best players for much of the series.
Horse feathers, as Colonel Potter would say!
The Sixers looked pitiful beating a depleted team. They are going to have their butts kicked in the next round if Boston can stay healthy.
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Back to the diamond.....
Tonight should be a pretty big start for Roy Halladay insofar as it will tell us just how much stamina and mustard he has. He'll be pitching on a warm but pleasant night against a rotten lineup.
Meanwhile, John Mayberry's average and production are slowly creeping up. He's going to be getting steady playing time.
