There's no question that the Philadelphia Phillies have missed Carlos Ruiz, whose 25-game drug suspension runs out this weekend. But as you wonder how much Ruiz's return will help, just remember that the Phillies were supposed to be helped by having Chase Utley and Ryan Howard playing every day, and also by having Roy Halladay rebound from his two bad early season starts. ...more

The Phillies said this spring that Chase Utley was back, and headed for a big year. Not everyone believed them then. It's more believable now, and more people outside the organization are also starting to say that Chase finally "looks like Chase" again. ...more

Roy Halladay always pitches well against the Mets. He always has, anyway. Now we wonder whether Halladay can pitch well against anyone. He gets his chance against the Mets on Monday night, in a game that leads off this edition of 3 to Watch. ...more

There's been a lot of talk this week about the 2012 Phillies lacking leadership. What they really lacked, as ex-Phillie Shane Victorino said Saturday, was a full season and presence of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. ...more

Roy Halladay said Wednesday it was a lower-back issue that derailed his 2012 season. He said a new workout regimen has him feeling as good as ever. Does that mean he'll be the Roy Halladay who was once (not long ago) baseball's best pitcher? The Phillies, who need him to be very good, can only wait and see. ...more

As crazy as it seemed, even to him, the White Sox were right to hire Robin Ventura. The Cardinals were right to hire Mike Matheny. Does that mean the Rockies are right to hire Walt Weiss? Maybe he'll prove them right, but is this trend really worth following? ...more