Chase-ing Down DiMaggio

27 and counting, and that’s not the number of days gone by this month, it’s the number of consecutive games in which Phillies’ 2nd-baseman Chase Utley has a hit.  Over the past month, Utley has been the National League’s most potent hitter, batting over .430 for his streak, with multiple hits in more than half of those 27 games. 

Utley has also been modest about it, trying to talk about whatever else, just to avoid clubhouse conversations about his streak.  But in reality, there’s very little for Chase Utley to be modest about.  He’s easily the MLB’s best offensive second-baseman (Soriano doesn’t count because he’s playing LF), with a .323 average, 19HR and 64RBI this season, along with 11 stolen bases.  And Utley doesn’t seem to be slowing down in his chase of Joltin’ Joe’s 56-game hit streak, with two hits in each of his last four games. 

In terms of his chances of Chase-ing down DiMaggio, Utley faces a tough August schedule of teams with solid pitching staffs.  The Cardinals, Braves, Mets, Reds, Cubs, and Nationals are the Phillies’ opponents next month, and Utley will need a hit in his first 25 games of August to pass Joltin’ Joe.  He has a much better chance however, of passing his teammate Jimmy Rollins’ team record of 39 games, and there’s a rumor going around that the two have bet, with Utley saying he can’t pass Rollins. 

If it does happen, Utley’s streak will reach 57 games on Saturday August 26th, against the New York Mets. 

Advertisements