The Philadelphia Phillies have won the National League East five years in a row. They have won a World Series, reached another one and played in the NL Championship Series. But the Opening Day lineup Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates demonstrated that continuing that mini-dynasty won’t be easy. First baseman Ryan Howard tore his Achilles tendon on the final play last season when Philadelphia lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series. An infection set in this spring, and Howard could be out well into May, if not longer. Meanwhile, star second baseman Chase Utley is also out with a left knee injury. He missed 59 games in 2011 with a left knee injury, and at age 33, it seems the aging process is accelerating.
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“This is the year to get them,” TBS baseball analyst Dennis Eckersley said. “The National League East has changed more than any division — the [Washington] Nationals have gotten better, the [Miami] Marlins, Atlanta is always going to be good. The time to get them is now. They were so great last year, but it’s hard to keep it going.”
– Brian McNally
