Weekend Wrap: Mr. Utley goes off

Chase Utley, meet 2007 Alex Rodriguez.

Sure, he hasn't been going completely A-Rod on us, but Utley hit his 7th and 8th HRs Sunday night against the Mets, making him the closest thing to last year's April surprise when ARod hit 14 in the first month.

The question is, can Mr. Utley keep this up?

It's very doubtful. The most he's hit on any level was in 2006, when he knocked out 32 for the Phils. And that came while he was 27, when most "experts" think a player's power peaks.

But that's not to say a 29-year-old Utley is over the hill. Look at what Barry Bonds was doing in his late 30s. OK, bad example. But it's very possible Utley exceeds those 32 jacks this year, although he won't get 60. Or probably even 40.

Citizens Bank Park is a crackerjack box and 6 of his 8 taters have come at home, but Utley only gets 81 of his games there. Plenty of his swings will come in cavernous Shea Stadium and Dolphin Stadium.

Look for 35 HR, 112 RBI, 108 runs, 12 SB and a .330 average.

Utley might even be a top-3 pick next year, just like Hanley Ramirez jumped into that fray this year. Selling high really isn't a great option.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Padres SP Randy Wolf came down to Earth some, giving up 4 runs and 6 hits in 6 1/3 innings, but he struck out 7 and got the win and makes for a borderline mixed-league pickup.

• Athletics SP Dana Eveland is now 2-1 after throwing 5 1/3 solid innings (1 run, 3 hits, 4 BB, 3 Ks). He's worth a look in deeper mixed leagues.

• Diamondbacks SP Randy Johnson is looking old again. After breezing through the opener, The Big Unit gave up 6 runs (only 4 earned), 6 hits and 3 walks in 5 1/3. Johnson did strike out 6 Padres, but sheesh, these are the Padres. Don't expect a miracle here. Johnson's barely worth a mixed-league roster spot moving forward.

• Mariners SP Miguel Batista threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 8 Angels, and afterward told the Seattle Times, "I might have found something that I wish I might have found years ago in my career." Hmmm....wonder what that could be? For the record, I'm still not a believer. Pick him up if you're desperate, but I've gotta think there's a better option on your wire this morning.         

• Twins SP Scott Baker is looking like the pitching stud he's been projected to be, throwing 7 innings of 1-run ball and striking out 8 Indians in a ND. This may be a top-20 pitcher in next year's draft.

• The Milwaukee Brewers are currently rummaging through their file cabinet, looking for the receipt of the Eric Gagne purchase. Gagne, who signed for $10 million in the offseason, had his third blown save of the season and now sports an 8.22 ERA. Just think, the Brewers could be 14-4, not 11-7. David Riske is probably the best handcuff option right now.