One look at the standings and you'll see the Phillies toiling at the bottom of the NL East.
The obvious reason the Phils are not on their customary perch at the top of the division is injuries.But when you look at the team thats trying to do more than keep the first-place seat warm, you see a Nationals team thats not exactly at full strength.
Natitude may as well mean impervious to injury.Because here are the Gnats, annoyingly good despite being without the services of Michael Morse, Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman, Wilson Ramos and Rick Ankiel for extended periods of time.So whats the difference between the Nats and Phils and the ways theyve persevered through the injury bug?
According to Charlie Manuel, They got a young leftfielder who has some Kirby Puckett, some young Chase Utley in him.
Manuel went on to say the spark Bryce Harper provides reminds him of what Utley brought to the Phillies clubhouse when they began their run of five straight division titles in 2007.Thats obviously lacking now.
The real question is: Will an older Utley be able to spark a new fire when he returns, or will this season simply go up in flames?
E-mail Marshall Harris at mharris@comcastsportsnet.com