Pepper

If Aaron Harang were a horse they would have put him out of his misery already.

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Chase Utley has  done his Lazarus impersonation....again!  He's hitting just when the Phils are shopping his services.  He'll be traded to a contending club, which will be a nice change of pace, and then at some point, if not this year then next, he'll hit the Disabled List again.

In any event, he should be leaving town any day now.  Before he goes we should acknowledge his tenure here as exemplary.  He represented everything professional in a ball player.  All business.  All the time.  Dedicated.  Determined.  Talented.  We were damn lucky to have him here.

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Cole Hamels missed his last start.  A groin issue.  He should have missed his first two starts deep in the heart of Texas.  If the folks there (everyone is "folks" in the Lone Star State) thought he was going to be their savior they have been disappointed thus far.  But Cole will bounce back.  He normally does.

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Ryan Howard is still here.  He's soon to be the granddaddy on the roster.

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I have no idea how Jonathan Papelbon has fared in the land of Presidential races...and, frankly, I could care less.

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Aaron Nola went from number one prospect to ace on the Phils' staff in less than a month.  That's too much to ask let alone expect.