Speaking of Utley, to get back on topic, he just keeps getting the job done. Tonight: 2 for 3, 2hbp, 1r, 1rbi, 1 great defensive play. Can’t do much more than that. He’s got to be the best player in the game right now.

I’ve never really taken to the “high octane” label of the Phils. I would characterize it as a “personality trait” of this team – they can really beat up on bad pitching, or when a pitcher is having an off night. Like you said, people should be worried when they go up against better pitching.

I know that “favorite” means the ONE most liked out of a given selection, but I like this team so much that I can’t really pick ONE “favorite”, that’s how awesome this team is. I’m the kind of person who likes to go against the crowd and get emotionally behind the non-star players of a team (Sixers: Jason Smith, Rodney Carney), but that’s been hard for me to do with this team. Even Utley, our biggest name (right now), he’s one of my favorites, too, I couldn’t place him above or below Victorino, J-Roll, Werth, Taguchi, Moyer, Hamels, Coste, Burrell, Jenkins, Seanez, Durbin, Romero, Lidge and Howard – you know what I mean?

Ryan Howard? Yes, even Ryan Howard – I keep waiting for the day when he stops gunning for home runs all the time (exaggeration) and becomes more concerned about just getting on base and making good contact with the ball. He can do this, I’ve seen it, I feel like that light bulb just has to come on for him.

I would think you love Abreu. If there is one prototypical “Moneyball” player in the league, he’s it. Granted, he hasn’t come cheap for several years now but he’s been consistently piling up the “Moneyball” stats for what, 11 years.

This Braves series is going to be tough. They are 25-8 at home. Considering who we’re sending to the mound, I’d be thrilled with 2 out of 3.

This Braves series will be a real test for them:

1) The Braves will be psyched for this series
2) For how many consecutive starts has our starting pitching been good now? Don’t know if that’s gonna last.
3) We’re throwing Moyer/Kendrick/Eaton up there, I don’t remember any of those 3 being particularly good against Atlanta.
4) I heard on the radio that home teams have been good this year so far.

Prediction: lots of offense in this series (warm weather), Phils taking 2 of 3!

You know, I was a big supporter of Abreu but I do understand where the frustration with him came from. I loved that Abreu was patient, disciplined, not afraid to hit deep in the count, and would really work a pitcher. The problem was that he was that way to a fault. I mean many times it seemed like even if the entire world was collapsing in on itself, Abreu would just stand in the box taking pitch after pitch. It really was exasperating at times because we needed him to drive in some runs, especially when Burrell was hitting behind him and going bad. You just knew that Abreu was the only shot we had at getting the runners home, yet he wouldn’t expand his strike zone 1/2 inch. If it wasn’t where he wanted it, he’d take the walk. Then Burrell would look like a diver in the pike position while lunging at a low and away slider. Strike three. Inning over. No runs. Ugh.

Utley has all of Abreu’s plate discipline, but he’s what I would call aggressively selective. I’m sure he could walk well over 100 times if he desired, but I’m also sure he knows he’s one of the big sticks on the club and his job is to drive in runs.

but i agree that utley, if pace continues could have the greatest season of any second basemen ever, still a bit premature for me to even consider him as the best ever—