Good news, Phillies fans.
No, Chase Utley has not miraculously recovered from his banged-up thumb.
His expected arrival still looms well off on the horizon, very likely in September.
If, however, Utley does return and helps the Phils scratch their way back to a third straight appearance in the World Series, they will have the home-field advantage.
That’s because the National League did something last night they had not done in 13 years. They were victorious in the All-Star Game.
Under skipper Charlie Manuel, the Nationals posted a 3-1 win over the American League.
The Phils start the second half Thursday in Chicago, sitting four and a half games behind the front-running Braves. The Mets are just a half-game ahead of the Phils in second.
That home-field advantage would have come in handy last October vs. the Yankees.
Something tells me getting back there this year is going to pose a much bigger challenge for the Phils. Will Ruben Amaro make a move at the trade deadline at the end of the month? Will Jayson Werth still be on the team should they make another push into post-season play?
We’ll find out starting tomorrow. You know where I stand on this one.
I’d like nothing more than for the Phils to go back to the World Series.
I don’t see it happening.
The last team to represent the NL in three straight World Series since the Big Red Machine in the ’70s.
Don’t look for it to happen this year, either.
No, Chase Utley has not miraculously recovered from his banged-up thumb.
His expected arrival still looms well off on the horizon, very likely in September.
If, however, Utley does return and helps the Phils scratch their way back to a third straight appearance in the World Series, they will have the home-field advantage.
That’s because the National League did something last night they had not done in 13 years. They were victorious in the All-Star Game.
Under skipper Charlie Manuel, the Nationals posted a 3-1 win over the American League.
The Phils start the second half Thursday in Chicago, sitting four and a half games behind the front-running Braves. The Mets are just a half-game ahead of the Phils in second.
That home-field advantage would have come in handy last October vs. the Yankees.
Something tells me getting back there this year is going to pose a much bigger challenge for the Phils. Will Ruben Amaro make a move at the trade deadline at the end of the month? Will Jayson Werth still be on the team should they make another push into post-season play?
We’ll find out starting tomorrow. You know where I stand on this one.
I’d like nothing more than for the Phils to go back to the World Series.
I don’t see it happening.
The last team to represent the NL in three straight World Series since the Big Red Machine in the ’70s.
Don’t look for it to happen this year, either.
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