Week Nine Wrap-up: Chasing the dream: offense explodes in Utley’s return

So this is what the ’11 version of the Phillies is supposed to look like.  Sorta. ( Shane Victorino is rehabbing the hammie in Reading and is expected to rejoin the team Friday.)  The Fightins posted a 5-2 record this past week, taking 3 of 4 from last year’s NL Central champion Reds and 2 of 3 from the inscrutably pathetic Mets.  Along the way they scored 44 runs, pulled off three come from behind wins, and played and won a 19 inning instant classic in which super utility guy Wilson Valdez pitched an inning (and picked up the win).  The pitching wasn’t great, but with the exception of rookie Vance Worley, the frontline turned in a number of gutty, winning performances.  Simply, the Phillies were fun to watch this past week.  They played with personality and enthusiasm.  They won games late, and in unexpected ways.  There was a swagger about them that we haven’t seen since early April.

There were, however, a few notable trends that may or may be the result of playing 20 games in 20 days, of Utley and John Mayberry Jr, and Dom Brown getting accustomed or re-accustomed to the level of play at the big Show, and of the starters consistently throwing 110 to 120 pitches. 

To wit: the Phillies committed 7 errors in 7 games after having committed just 16 in the 46 games leading up to this week.  Of those 7 errors, Utley was involved in four of the plays (although officially he was only charged with one error, two misplays came on pickoffs at second, and one came when Utley and Jimmy Rollins collided into each other on an easy pop-up behind second base, Rollins was charged with the error) and Dominic Brown one.  While Dom Brown’s bobble can be chalked up to a simple rookie mistake, Utley’s play is perhaps a little more beguiling.  Most likely the all world second baseman was simply shaking off the rust, nonetheless, Utley has had a number of gaffes in big moments and the up-to-this-point outlandish suggestion that Utley should be moved to the outfield to save his knees is perhaps not so outlandish after all.  Consider: Ibanez is in the final year of his contract, and is unlikely to be resigned; John Mayberry Jr, Ibanez’s heir apparent still has the look of a project about him at age 28.  Placido Polanco is a superior defensive player and could be moved back to his natural position allowing the Phillies to trade or sign a power-hitting 3^rd sacker in the off-season  (Aramis Ramirez and David Wright are in contract years).  It’s doubtful that the Phillies will make this kind of adjustment this deep into the season, but don’t be surprised if you see Utley chasing down fly balls the latter innings of a blowout this year. 

John Mayberry Jr looks awful good in center field.   Runs like a gazelle and throws the ball smoothly and accurately.  Looks awful good on the basepaths.  Makes the all-important first to third jaunt look effortless.  Got nice knack for stealing bases too.  It’s ashame he’s still not hitting MLB pitching on an everyday basis.  Since being “promoted” to starter on May 15^th, Mayberry has hit .176 with 1 HR and 6 RBI.  The rub on Mayberry has always been a high strikeout ratio (around 30% for his career), probably the result of that big long swing of his, but he came into the 2011 season with a different look about him.  Has been running deep counts, walking and has lowered the strikeout rate to around 20%.  Nonetheless, Jr still has project written all over him and is most likely the odd man out when the Flyin’ Hawaiian returns.

The concern over pitch count could reach a boiling point as both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee struggled in their starts this week.  Both starters gave up early leads and looked very hittable.  Whether or not the struggles were due to a stupefyingly high number of pitches thrown thus far or simply a matter of opponents making adjustments to their game plans, this is trend that bears watching.

Stat of the Week

Dom Brown first week: .381, 4 Runs, 3 RBI .524 SLG.  Don’t let the weird lunging helicopter swing fool you, this guy might be pretty good.

Hightlights

Chase Utley’s return. 

The bank was packed (largest regular season crowd in short history of the Bank) and electric and although Utley went 0-5, the energy was palpable as the Phils put up 10 runs. 

Wilson Valdez shakes off a sign.

In an improbably finish to an improbable game, Valdez went through the heart of the Reds order, shaking off a pitch and throwing 88 mph as the Phils won in 19 innings.

Cliff Lee doubles in the go ahead run.

Lee loves to hit.  Collected two and stole a base as the Fightins romped over the Reds.