The Major League Baseball season is about a quarter of the way through the season and the Philadelphia Phillies have displayed themselves as the most competent team to this point. They have proved this without All Star second baseman Chase Utley and have been without Roy Oswalt for much of the early part of the season.
The depth of their starting rotation has been the key so far especially with their inability to score runs. The Phillies are number one in the MLB in quality starts, but 23rd in runs. The absence of Chase Utley in their lineup cannot be discredited, but also the loss of Jayson Werth in free agency. If Chase Utley cannot return and give the Phillies a much needed boost in the lineup their lead in the National League East could diminish with the upstart Florida Marlins and the under achieving Atlanta Braves hot on their tail.
The Phillies came into the season as the favorite in the National League and have the best record to this point, but unless their run production increases they will not win the National League and may not even make the playoffs. This year more like any other have provided baseball fans with numerous contenders for the World Series and with the Phillies in one the most contested divisions in baseball could leave them on the outside unless their deficiencies are absolved. Their recent two series against the Braves are evidence of this because they failed to win either series with one of them being in Philadelphia.
Chase Utley is due soon to come back, but the Phillies may be rushing him back because of their lack of offense. If he provides a spark and is healthy the rest of the season look for Philadelphia to win the National League, but if does not Phillies fans will not be buying playoff tickets come October.
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