There have been plenty of reasons the Phillies are 6-11 and not 11-6, but two of the biggest might have been the lack of production from Chase Utley and Ryan Howard -- the heart of the Phillies lineup.
If these guys don't hit, the Phillies are in big trouble. I don't care who the manager is.
Utley went 4 for 7 with three doubles, one home run, four RBIs, four runs scored, one walk and one stolen base in this weekend's victories in Cincinnati. He entered the weekend hitting .213, stuck in a 1 for 15 slump and just 1 for 17 this season with runners in scoring position. Howard went 1 for 3 with a two-run home run and three RBIs in yesterday's victory, his first game back from a left tib-fib sprain. As Howard circled the bases after his home run TV cameras caught him uttering, "About damn time!"
Yeah, no kidding.
Manager Charlie Manuel and Howard are encouraged with his swing. Utley is encouraged with his, too. But now would be the perfect time for them to get hot as they took a baby step yesterday by winning two-straight games.
Comments (3)
tz:
i think most people -- fans, writers, etc. -- expect the big two and the entire ballclub to come around at the plate, at least somewhat. they obviously need to pickup their hitting with RiSP. but i think the major question is will they hit/perform against the mets, braves, and this year, the AL central. its gotten to the point where no one cares if they play well against the nl central and west divisions and win 11 of 12 in mid-season.
Posted by gr | April 23, 2007 11:51 AM
Posted on April 23, 2007 11:51
T: Good to see you finally have a blog. You also got mentioned on Deadspin last Friday:
http://deadspin.com/sports/cultural-oddsmaker/cultural-oddsmaker-what-will-charlie-manuel-do-next-253817.php
Posted by Civil Negligence | April 23, 2007 1:45 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 13:45
Nice blog, TZ.
Great point on the lack of production from the Utley/Howard = the lack of wins. The Mets, for examply, would be in a pretty rough position if Reyes/Beltran/Delgado weren't hitting. They are, and so far have been winning.
Go Phillies!
Posted by Bridoc10 | April 23, 2007 3:35 PM
Posted on April 23, 2007 15:35