Chase Utley and Phillies Among League's Best

Many are arguing that Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies is the front-runner to win the National League MVP award this year. A difficult argument to contest, as Utley leads the majors with 21 home runs and is tied for second with 56 RBI. Utley also leads the Phillies in almost every major statistical category.

Could the Phillies be housing the NL MVP for the third consecutive year with a third different player in Chase Utley? 

At this point in the season, the answer would seem to be "Yes".

Despite Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard winning the honors in 2007 and 2006, respectively, the Phillies have failed to even reach the NLCS. In fact, the Phillies have only won ONE title in their 126-year history, in 1980. This, along with the fact that no Philadelphia team has won a championship in a major sport in 100 combined seasons, leads many fans here in Philly to be pessimistic.

I, however, hide this history behind current stats and facts.

The Phillies (39-26) are in first place in the NL East and are headlined by players like Rollins, Howard, Pat Burrell, and perhaps the best player in the majors at this time, Chase Utley. Philadelphia has scored the second-most runs (344), behind only the Chicago Cubs (352), who also have the best record in the league at 40-24. In their last 16 games, behind great pitching and offense, the Phillies have gone 12-4.

With established players, a potential NL MVP, stunning offense, and recently strong pitching, it seems as though the Phillies are making a statement to the rest of baseball that they plan to end Philadelphia's 25-year championship drought.

(With McNabb hurt once again, the Phillies may be the city's only hope.)