Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley’s Return Finally Gives Spark to Phils Offense

Chase Utley made his much anticipated 2011 debut this week in the Phillies series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Utley finished his first night back going 0-for-five, but his presence on the field and in the lineup became immediately noticeable.

The Philadelphia Phillies, who for the past few seasons have had one of the best offenses in the league, have been struggling mightily to remain consistent throughout the current season.

Last year, the Phils averaged 4.8 runs per game in a season where six regulars hit over .275 for the year.

This year has been a struggle to say the least. The Fightin’ Phils are only averaging four runs per game this year, and in baseball terms, that is a big difference. Only two everyday players are hitting even over .265.

Where did this offense suddenly disappear to?

I will give you two words: Chase Utley.

Utley has not played a single game this season until this week and the Phillies offense has been a wreck. Utley’s return has seemed to spark not only the rest of the lineup, but also the incredible atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park. How many standing ovations has he gotten since he returned four games ago?

They say hitting is contagious, but even if Utley is not hitting .300, he still provides the spark to the Phillies lineup that they desperately need.

Jimmy Rollins used to be that guy, but it is now clear it all lies with Utley. He is the type of player every manager wants on his team. He will do anything and everything to win ball games.

Since Utley’s return, the Phillies have gone 3-1 against a very good Reds team and are averaging seven runs a game. Now I know that seven run average will not last, but do you see my point?

Chase Utley’s return has sparked the Phillies lineup and it makes them an even more dangerous team than they already are. The Phillies certainly still have questions in their lineup, but they are sure glad to have their franchise player back at second base.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

MLB Trade Speculation: What Could Phillies Get in Return for Joe Blanton?

The Philadelphia Phillies rotation can boast all they want about how it’s about the five starters and not just about the top four, but the fact is that Joe Blanton could be put to better use on the trade market.

I have been a Blanton supporter ever since he came over to the club in 2008, but I think it is time for a change. Again, I like Blanton and I like what he brings to the club every fifth day. What I do not like about him is that he is making $17 million over the next two seasons.

The Phillies have one of the best rotations in baseball, and a guy like Kyle Kendrick or Vance Worley could be a good starter to throw out every fifth day instead. They also come at a much cheaper price.

Blanton can be used as trade bait to get another much-needed hitter in the Phillies lineup. After starting the year on fire, the Phillies offense has been dreadful as of late.

It will be tough for someone to take on Blanton’s contract, but here are some names that the Phillies could possibly get in return for him.

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MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Deadline Targets to Bolster Philadelphia Phillies’ Offense

With Chase Utley’s future in doubt for the rest of the season, The Philadelphia Phillies are going to have to make a move at the trade deadline in order to bolster their offense for the postseason run.

So far the Phillies have gotten by with their offense. They have scored 22 runs in the first four games.

A good start by Ben Francisco and Ryan Howard have paced the Phillies. The two combined to knock in 10 of those runs.

In order for the Phillies to remain consistent and contend for another World Series appearance, they are going to have to get another bat in their lineup via trade, especially if Utley is out for an extending period of time.

Here are 10 players who the Phillies could target as we near the deadline.

 

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Philadelphia Phillies: 5 Keys to Phillies Winning a 5th Straight NL East Title

Opening Day is less than a week away.

Pretty soon, the Philadelphia Phillies will be on their way back to frigid PA and will start April 1st their quest for a fifth straight NL East Title.

Phillies fans are hoping for even more…perhaps a second World Series title in four years.

The Phillies, even though they are favorites to win the division, have some pretty big concerns heading into the season.

Injuries, age and recent play have put some question marks around the Phillies team.

If the Phils want to secure a fifth straight title and make it back to the World Series, these will be the five keys to them doing so.

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MLB: Philadelphia Phillies Prospect Domonic Brown Breaks Wrist After First Hit

Philadelphia Phillies OF Domonic Brown has a fractured hook of the hamate bone in his right hand and may need surgery after he had to leave today’s ballgame against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Jim Salisbury.

Salisbury tweeted that Brown had to exit after his first at-bat. Brown fouled off a pitch and then looked down at his hand, apparently in pain. He finished the at-bat with a hit, but then departed for X-rays.

Brown, the Phillies’ top prospect, was battling Ben Francisco for the starting RF spot this spring and had been held hitless in his first 15 at-bats.

Interestingly enough, he got his first hit with a broken hand.

Domonic Brown is one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and the injury is very unfortunate for him. He’s a young kid who was expected to fill in for the departed Jayson Werth this season.

With Brown out, it looks like Francisco will win the RF spot. In fact, he was probably going to win the job anyway; he’s having a great spring, batting .421 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

Francisco also is a right-handed hitter who will help balance a very lefty-heavy Philadelphia lineup. 

Todd Zolecki is reporting that if surgery is needed it will sideline Brown for three to six weeks.

Expect Brown to be in AAA to start the regular season. Hopefully, he’ll work his way back up to the Major Leagues by the All-Star break.

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

NFL News and Rumors: 10 Players the Philadelphia Eagles Should Target in FA

With the hope of a new CBA on the horizon, we can only hope that there will be a 2011 NFL season.

Teams are releasing players and are hesitant to sign new ones because of the prospects of a new deal not being in place.

Putting the CBA aside, teams build their foundations for success the next season by signing key players during the offseason in free agency.

The draft is the foundation of the future, but free agency is the foundation of the upcoming season.

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a very successful and overachieving season. With a new franchise QB in place, they are primed to make another run at the Super Bowl in 2011.

They do have some needs to fill and some problem areas.

With that said, here are guys from each position that they should look at in free agency.

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Chase Utley Injury: 5 Ways for the Philadelphia Phillies to Replace Him

News surfaced this weekend that Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has patellar tendinitis in his right knee. Utley received an MRI Saturday disclosing the cause for him being out for the first couple Spring Training games.

Before the MRI, Utley’s sitting was said to be due to leg soreness.

Now with the news of Utley having mild tendinitis, Phillies fans are worried about Utley and his status for the season.

The Phillies organization is saying they are just taking Utley’s injury very cautiously.

Even if the injury is not serious, fans should be getting worried about Utley in the long term.

Utley has been hobbled by injuries for the past few seasons. The 32-year-old had his worst full season with Philadelphia last year.

The Phillies offensive stars are growing old and fragile. Their window of opportunity is closing fast.

With the news of the Chase Utley injury, here are five players the Phillies could use to replace Utley if he were to miss significant time this season.

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Charlie Manuel and the 20 Greatest Coaches in Philadelphia Sports History

Philadelphia is one of the greatest sports cities in the United States. Each team that plays between Broad and Pattison has a rich history of its own.

Each franchise has had its share of successes and failures. The Phillies and 76ers are notoriously known for having one of the worst seasons in league history. The Eagles and Flyers are better known for their annual run to either the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup.

Philadelphia is also home to the Big 5, the city’s historic college basketball schools.

Philly has been home to some historic teams. We may be in the midst of one right now (2011 Phillies).

Behind every great team is a great leader, a great coach who knows how to get the most out of his players.

Here is a list of 20 of the top coaches in Philadelphia sports history.

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2011 Philadelphia Phillies: Stats and Fantasy Projections

Spring Training will be here sooner than we think. The Phillies come into the 2011 season with some lofty expectations for themselves. They have mustered up one of the best rotations in the history of baseball with the surprising signing of former Phillie Cliff Lee.

Along with the rotation, the Phillies offense looks to get back on track after having a down year for what they’ve come to expect over the past few seasons. They still have the core group of players on the team, but they are all aging.

The window of opportunity for the team is closing, and that is probably why GM Ruben Amaro Jr. went all out for the next few years with the complete re-haul of the starting rotation.

Here are some fantasy predictions and the projected lineups for the 2011 Philadelphia Phillies.

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