That frustrating but forgiving moment on opening day when we all found out that Chase Utley wasn't actually the full-time 2nd baseman has finally come around. We all remember when Manuel decided that Polanco should get his fair share of at bats, certainly a worthy cause given his productivity in recent years, but coming at the cost of playing time for Utley just didn't sit well with many Phillies fans. We have been conditioned to believe that Utley is the next Jeff Kent, and his track record backs that up so far. But, we gave Charlie a pass and said let's see what happens with this platoon thing.
Almost a month into the season, the results of the platoon are:
Polanco .268 / 0HR / 6RBI / 0SB / 8R
Utley .289 / 2HR / 8RBI / 0SB / 6R
Bell .221 / 1HR / 9RBI / 0SB / 7R
All very similar numbers with the exception of batting average. However, Utley has done it with 11 fewer at bats than Polanco and 32 fewer at bats than Bell.
So, this brings up tonights game where Polanco got the start at 3rd base and Utley at 2nd. This could be a harbinger of things to come. Certainly Polanco can put up about the same numbers as Bell, just look at their track records, and are they that much different defensively? Don't get me wrong, I love Bell's attitude and clubhouse presence, but if he isn't producing at the plate, why not go with Polanco there. And really, shouldn't that be the platoon. Let's give Utley a chance to play everyday, if he isn't able to handle it, then we can put Polanco back in there, however, the crystal ball says if you give Utley his 500+ at bats he will put up Kent-esque numbers. Certainly a 25HR / 85RBI campaign isn't too much of a reach for the kid. That would put him in the top 5 in all of baseball for second basemen.
So, finally we see Utley start a game in which Polanco is also playing. Hopefully there will be more of that to come. Of course, the Phillies win the game tonight thanks in part to Bell's pinch hit that scored Bobby Abreu for an insurance run. Utley, he was 0-4, but Loaiza threw like his 2003 self, so that's not very telling.
Let's see what Friday brings. Hopefully more Utley in the lineup, and a Fish beating.
2 comments:
I'm afraid it doesn't matter who's plaing against the Marlins. For whatever reason, we just can't hit their pitching. It doesn't help that Wolf and Padilla are starting the first two games of the series. Oy!
It is mystifying why the Phils can't handle the Marlins the last several years. 14-27 since 2003 began. Rub a good luck charm and hope that it was Bowa's fault and be happy (make that ecstatic) if we can take 2 out of 3 this weekend. We are at home after all.
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