Comments on: Chase Utley could head to extended spring training soon

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:46:40 +0000

[In best Lurch voice possible] You rang…?

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:43:02 +0000

Come back Utley!!!

By: cktai

cktai — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:44:01 +0000

Actually you want your best hitter on #1, #2 or #4. The first two will have resp. 60 or 45 more ABs then the #5 hitter and 30 or 15 more then the #3 hitter. While the #4 will either hit with people on base in the first inning, or lead off in the second inning.

I’d go with Victorino, Utley, Polanco, Howard, Francisco, Ibanez/Mayberry, Ruiz, Pitcher, Rollins

By: prionogenic

prionogenic — Wed, 04 May 2011 06:01:19 +0000

Protection is overrated, and if you believe a sabermetrics devotee, non-existent.

You want your best hitter in the 3 spot, Chase has the best combination of average and power on the team. If guys get on in front of him, he has the power to drive them in, which Polly, though a great contact hitter doesn’t give you. Also, Chase is an excellent baserunner and basestealer, which would be desirable in front of your clean up hitter.

Also, you don’t want him in the 5 hole because over the course of a season, the #3 hitter will probably get 20-30 more AB’s than the #5 hitter, which could mean a couple more HR and 7-10 more hits.

By: xmatt0926x

xmatt0926x — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:49:28 +0000

Agree with Chooch51ruiz. Polanco 2nd, Utley 3rd. you’ll see Charlie speak perfect kings english or David Herndon actually get someone out before you see Utley at the 5 spot and you know those 2 things won’t happen anytime soon. Protection after Howard is good but charlie is right on when he says that it’s also just as important to have runners on in front of Howard. Either way lets just hope Utley is back soon and that Herndon, Zagurski, and Kendrick are sent out in the ocean in a leaky boat.

By: halladaysbicepts

halladaysbicepts — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:43:55 +0000

There has been some great 5 hole hitters in the history of the game. It’s not a demotion for Chase. If the Phillies had a power option to protect Howard, then, yes, Utley should hit third. But this is no longer the case. This lineup is different now with the absence of Werth. That being said, you put Utley 5th. You allow Victorino, Rollins and your best contact hitter, Polanco to get on base so Howard and/or Utley can drive them home. 4th and 5th hole hitters should be the guys with the best power.

By: Chooch51Ruiz

Chooch51Ruiz — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:29:27 +0000

This is not a good lineup polanco is a great #2 hitter, throw utley back into the 3 spot, no reason why he should hit fifth just does not make sense for a player of his ability

By: bleedgreen

bleedgreen — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:12:39 +0000

Wow fail. I just replied in the wrong story.

By: bleedgreen

bleedgreen — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:11:39 +0000

and he just hit another double with an rbi.

By: halladaysbicepts

halladaysbicepts — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:59:55 +0000

“You put your best hitter in the 3 spot and even though Polanco is hitting great right now he isnt close to being on Utley’s level.”

Insane? You must be joking. Polanco is a .304 lifetime hitter compared with Utley at .298. Small difference, but you cannot say he isn’t even close to Utley. And Chase is my favorite player.

Where Utley has the obvious advantage is his power. In a lineup that is depleted of power, I want Utley protecting Howard.

I understand that Charlie is loyal, sometimes to a fault. But the lineup that I suggested makes the most sense, in my opinion.

My lineup probably won’t be the end result, but it should be.

By: macjacmccoy

macjacmccoy — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:49:30 +0000

Insane. No way Charlie Manuel the most loyal (to a fault) manager in baseball puts Utley at 5. Its not gonna happen. Maybe for a week or 2 until he gets his swing back but it wont be an everyday season long thing. You put your best hitter in the 3 spot and even though Polanco is hitting great right now he isnt close to being on Utley’s level.

By: halladaysbicepts

halladaysbicepts — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:37:11 +0000

God knows we need him. I believe he will be back in the lineup by the 3rd week of May after a week or so in Clearwater. Once he comes back, here’s my everyday lineup:

Victorino
Rollins
Polanco
Howard
Utley
Francisco
Mayberry Jr.
Ruiz
Pitcher

Need some power to protect Howard, so Utley makes sense, regardless of lefty/righty pitching.