Larry Andersen Explains Chase Utley's 'Mental Break'
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen joined Josh Innes and Tony Bruno on Wednesday prior to calling the rubber match between the Phillies and Braves in Atlanta.
Chase Utley was not penciled in for Wednesday's lineup marking the second straight day off for Utley. The team is looking to give Utley a "mental break," in light of his struggles leading to his .103 batting average.
Andersen explained what the break could do for Utley.
"It is a mental break, especially for somebody like Chase. He's such a student of the game. He studies it. He watches tape constantly and I think just to step away and realize that hey I don't have to go out and play nine innings today, it is really is kind of a mental break."
LISTEN: Phillies broadcaster Larry Andersen joins Josh Innes and Tony Bruno
Phillies reporter, Todd Zolecki, joined Innes and Bruno on Tuesday and talked about the possibility of the team using this strategy to allow Utley to clear his head.
Andersen added that there may be a reason to have some optimism about Utley when he returns to action following this time off.
"It just seems like every time Chase has had multiple days off, when he's come back, he's come back with a vengeance," Andersen said.
Andersen also addressed the fact that Utley has hit some balls hard this season resulting in unfortunate outs, but he made it clear that after a certain point in time, it's hard to blame it all on tough luck.
"If you're hitting .100, you're not hitting enough balls hard," Andersen explained.
Wednesday night marked the final game of the Phillies road trip and was also Andersen's birthday.
