Sunday Insider: The 3-2 pitch

Last update: April 27, 2008 - 12:25 AM

Here are three observations ...

• Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley is not muscular. He's doesn't seem wiry either. But how does he hit for so much power? I'm not saying he's cheating, but he must have the most perfect swing in the game. He entered the weekend with 10 homers and looks poised to pass his career best of 32 homers in 2006.

• I'll tip my hat to Cleveland's Cliff Lee for shutting the Twins down a little more than a week ago, but I won't do it for Oakland's Chad Gaudin. Although the Twins are nurturing Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young along, this team should be able to hit good pitching once in a while.

• I've seen enough 4-3 putouts next to Joe Mauer's name. It's time for him to leave the inside pitch alone (a lot of pitchers can't throw strikes there anyway) and wait for something over the plate that he can drive to center or left.

... and two predictions

• The Reds will improve with Walt Jocketty as the new GM, but they have young pitchers Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez and first baseman Joey Votto in the majors with righthander Homer Bailey and a super prospect outfielder Jay Bruce nearly ready. It's set up for any GM to look good.

• Baltimore faces the White Sox, Angels, Athletics, Red Sox and Yankees over the next month. Here's where the wheels fall off for Andy MacPhail's fighting O's.