Chase Utley's return was supposed to help the Phillies continue the hot streak they'd been riding into September.
It wasn't supposed to cool the bats of the other Phils, or suddenly bolster a bullpen which had been inducing more runs than Aunt Patty's undercooked meatloaf.
For some reason, though, the Phillies have slipped after No. 26's return from a broken finger.
Once in a tie for the wild card, the Phightins have fallen into an NL West quagmire.
As of September 4th, the NL West* (this asterisk denotes no Barry Bonds or Giants included) is a four-team race, with the Rockies only five games out. The Phillies are four off the D-Backs' wild card lead.
The obvious question: "What hath Chase wrought?"
The top run-producing team in the NL has reeled of a string of single-run games against the hated division foes from Queens, Miami, and Atlanta. After barely pulling off an 11-10 victory over the Mets on August 30th, the Phillies have gone 1-4, with two more games to play at Atlanta.
Why such angst over a three-game skid?
Philadelphians had nothing to look forward to this fall (except the Eagles) with Utley out—and his return should've touched off rout after rout. Instead, he's been a cooler in a city starved for success.
Sure, the wins were fun while our rotation was depleted and our All-Star second baseman was injured...but we'd like a few more now that we're going into the stretch run.
Is that so hard?
Actually, it just might be.
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about 1 year ago
Just another reason why Philly sports are more cursed than the Red Sox ever were. I won't even mention the Eagles loss to the lowly Packers today (oops, just did). Santa Claus sure is going to have it bad in Philthy this year...
about 1 year ago
What's with the Philly hatred Dave?
Philly sports are without question NOT more cursed than the Red Sox. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's just a ridiculous assertion.
Consider the following:
-The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series in 1980. They made it there in 1983 and 1993.
-The Philadelphia Eagles got to the Super Bowl in 1980 and 2004.
-The Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1973-1974 and 1974-1975. They went to the Cup Finals on six occasions since.
-The Philadelphia 76ers won the NBA Championship in 1966-1967 and 1982-1983. They made it to the finals in 1976-1977, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, and 2000-2001.
In total: over the past 40 years, Philadelphia Teams have won five championships, and appeared in 19.
To say that's not bad is an understatement.
Now granted, the city hasn't won a championship since 1983. That's nearly 25 years which is definitely a long time.
But cursed? Come on...the Sox hadn't won since 1918, and the Cubs still haven't won since 1906. Those are legitimate curses.
But Philly? That's just bad luck.
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