Different Year, Same Result

The Phillies beat the Mets. Again. 9 in a row. *YAWN*

What else is new? The Mets bullpen still makes the Phillies bullpen look dependable. Actually, with the way the Phillies relievers pitched yesterday, especially sans Lidge (Gordon didn’t look too bad), they looked more than dependable. I’ll even say “solid.”

What I didn’t like was seeing Chase Utley get hit by 3 pitches and 1 thrown ball. 3 HBP in one game tied the MLB record, though I’m not so sure that’s a record people aim to break. I’d think HRs, Ws, and hits would be more popular choices, but then again, everyone’s trying to break those records. Chase already has his name in the books.

Though Delgado’s errant throw helped the Phillies in the end, and even though Chase made the smart move to cut down the angle on the throw, I always hate to see him get hit with the ball. Last year Utley missed a chunk of time when he was hit on the hand by a pitch, and it may be the only reason Jimmy Rollins won last year’s MVP. Chase was on fire, and a month of added stats could have had him hoisting the trophy instead of JRoll.

One of the few times Chase hit the ball and not the other way around

Chase led the MLB in HBP, with 25. I don’t want to see last year’s trend continue. It’s not like Chase crowds the plate, donning armor like some roid-heads who fancy themselves ballplayers. Though Mets fans feel differently. They claim he wasn't allowing the Mets' pitchers to throw strikes. They call his game "bush league" which is probably the last word I'd use to describe Utley's game, right after "terrible" and "girly".

I say he’s just too f-ing dedicated to get out of the way in time. He doesn't lean into pitches, Dave Hollins would lean into pitches. Chase stands in, looking for his pitch, waiting on a mistake and will take his lumps if they come. Maybe there’s just something about him that attracts the ball. Though I have a feeling that when it comes to New York, it might just be because he’s a Phillie.

None of the pitches that hit him were particularly malicious, but when you have a rivalry and recent history like the one between the Phillies and the Mets, I don’t think the Mets pitchers cared much if a ball came in a little tight. Especially three times, twice by Perez. If they are throwing strikes they wouldn't be hitting Utley in the hand.

But hey, if you want to put him on base and take your chances with Howard, Burrell, Werth/Jenkins, that’s OK with me, as long as Chase the Base stays healthy. And as long as the Mets stay futile. Let’s hope Howard gets it going and Kendrick continues his strong play tonight against Mike Pelfrey?

Rrrrrrrrrrrriiiiighhhhtttttt.