What a Stud

Oh, Chase Utley, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways. 1-2-3-4 runs in a Grand Slam!!  Pinch hitting nonetheless.  Seemingly this was foreseen, at least implicitly, by Mike over at A Citizen’s Blog.  He lays out the numbers proving that Utley’s swing is worth much more than Polanco’s glove; especially when it comes at an 1/13 of the price. 

So then what is Ed Wade waiting for, the trade deadline?  It would be nice to make a trade a bit earlier in the season than his normal fire alarm routine.  Though not as many players may be available yet, they are in much less demand, and therefore less expensive.  A middle reliever would be great.  Speaking of which, the SF Cronicle mentions a possible return of Tim Worrell to his former club

Phils go for the sweep tomorrow, which would be a nice start to this 13 game homestand.  In a conversation with Harry Kalas a few weeks ago, he mentioned that if the Phillies were going to take first place, this home stretch would be the time.  After the Giants, the D’Backs, Rangers, and Brewers come to town.  A repeat of the recent road trip (a 8 and 5 or 9 and 4 record over the two weeks) would certainly help their chances.