Unlike the ravenous bloodthirsty crowds at Citi Field in New York, fans attending tonight’s NLDS finale at Dodger Stadium will more than likely see embattled Dodgers utility infielder Chase Utley, should the Dodgers find themselves in a situation where they need a pinch-hitter or double-switch replacement.

Utley, who received a two-game suspension from MLB’s Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre for his hard takeout slide of Ruben Tejada that left the Mets shortstop with a broken right fibula last Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, is appealing his unprecedented suspension and, as such, is eligible to continue playing until his appeal is heard next Monday.

There is no doubt whatsoever that Chase Utley will be called upon by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly if he is needed in tonight’s must-win game. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Many believe that the 36-year-old Pasadena native and 13-year MLB veteran will win his appeal, as his slide was no worse than many other recent takeout slides – including one by Chicago Cubs infielder Chris Coghlan on September 17 that left 28-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung-ho Kang with a displaced lateral tibial plateau fracture that required emergency surgery and took the hot-hitting South Korea native out for the season.

How can MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre possibly justify suspending Chase Utley for his takeout slide of Ruben Tejada when he did not suspend Chris Coghlan for his takeout slide of Jung-ho Kang?
(Photo credit – Sean Haffey and Charles LeClaire)

Although no one will argue that Utley’s slide was a bit late, it most certainly fell within the rules governing such slides and, in fact, was not ruled excessive or inappropriate by the on-field umpires officiating the October 10 NLDS contest. Because of this and because of the very similar Coghlan-Kang incident for which Coghlan was not suspended, many believe that Torre’s suspension of Utley was done solely to appease the frenzied New York fan base and national media, who were calling for Utley’s head. It is also believed that Utley’s suspension was imposed in hopes of eliminating any possible retaliation by the Mets – a belief that was substantiated in a Twitter post by Mets beat reporter Joe Trezza.

This tweet by Trezza left zero doubt that the Mets were indeed planning to retaliate against Utley.

But with the magnitude of what’s at stake in tonight’s win-or-go-home NLDS Game-5, retaliation against Utley – who sat out both games in New York (much to the displeasure of angry Mets fans) – would be absolutely foolish. Putting a runner on base for an intentional beaning or risking having players ejected as a result of a brawl that would undoubtedly follow an intentional beaning could be the difference between the Mets advancing to the National League Championship Series or watching it on TV. Of course all bets are off should tonight’s contest be a blowout one way or the other, although it is unlikely that Utley would be needed if this were the case.

Even though the Dodger Stadium crowd will be nowhere near as hostile towards Utley as were Mets fans in New York, the retaliation factor is still a possibility should Utley enter the game. As such and if there is indeed any retaliation, and if Utley’s suspension is indeed overturned, the stage will be set for some serious fireworks between the Mets and Dodgers when the two teams meet next season – and beyond.

With no disrespect to Chase Utley, hopefully he won’t be needed in tonight’s crucial game and all of this will soon be water under the bridge. But if it is not, the Dodgers can add the Mets to their growing list of rival teams.