Utley On Pace To Set HR Record

Cliff Lee is deserving of all the love.

It’s pretty clear the Phillies get swept this series without him.

But don’t overlook the performance of Chase Utley, either. Yes,  the guy who’s just happened to tie Reggie Jackson’s 32-year-old record of five home runs in a world series.

Jackson led the ‘77 Yankees to glory with home runs in Games 4, 5 & 6 against the Dodgers.

His three blasts at Yankee Stadium in Game 6 became the series’ lasting memory. He also earned the series’ MVP honors, too.

Utley’s blasts haven’t been as memorable, but no less important than Mr. October’s.

Two coming in Philly’s Game 1 win against CC Sabathia, one in Game 4 and two more in Game 5.

His three-run shot Monday night set the tone behind Lee’s dominate arm.  It also lifted a huge weight off the Phillies’ struggling offense.

Given the regularity at which home runs were hit at the new Yankee Stadium this season, Utley could very well set the new mark for home runs in one World Series.

Give Philly some credit too. They’re not going down without a fight, and I respect the effort.

They could have easily folded after Game 4, but they played with desperation, showed some heart and they kept this series alive…even if it last just one more game.

Then again, who really knows what will happen? Perhaps the Phillies win Game 6 and send Cliff Lee back to the bump for a deciding Game 7.

I don’t have the feeling the Phils make it that far, but that’s what I’m hoping for anyway.