Phightin' Phils Phorum

Howard Improves, Heads into Tough Series

Ryan Howard is starting to see the ball better. He is not where he needs to be but is showing signs of improvement. In fact he even hit a stand up triple. Sadly, the upcoming series with the Atlanta Braves is going to be tough for him.

A trio of southpaws, Jo-Jo Reyes, Tom Glavine and Chuck James will pitch for the Braves. This will be difficult for a guy just getting himself together. My opinion is to start Howard in the first game, if he makes solid contact, let him play Wednesday. If he does not, let him have a day off.

As we learned in the playoffs last season, this team does not do as well against Southpaws. Utley has been good against them, but what the Phillies need is for Jimmy Rollins, Jayson Werth, and Pedro Feliz to carry the offense against these lefty's.

Tough break for Howard and the Phillies but this team never backs down to any challenge. We NEED two out of three in this series to stay ahead of the Braves, hopefully pick up some ground on the Marlins, and get ahead of the Mets. Nothing like a May pennant race! We haven't been anywhere near the top of the standings this time of the year in a while.

Bad Umpiring and Fielding Sinks Phils

I have always been for instant replay. Ok, I am lying. I am not for it at all. But today it would have given the Phillies the win as a bad call on a homerun ball cost the Philadelphia Phillies the game. The call was bad enough that Charlie Manual was ejected and the team was talking about it throughout the game. Had the call been correct, the Phillies had the game won.

Ryan Howard missed several scoops at first base also costing the Phillies the game. The last miss, in the tenth inning on a poor throw by Chase Utley, went into the stands and allowed the winning run to score. The Phillies need to take more fielding practice as they have not looked sharp all season.

The Phillies took two out of three games in the series but lost an opportunity to go above the .500 mark and gain a game on the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves who both lost. The Phillies will host the Houston Astros for three games beginning on Tuesday.

How Bad Is Ryan Howard with a Scoop?

Ryan Howard's first base play on balls thrown to him is unacceptable. He has consistently not been able to scoop a ball out at first base all season. I do not remember this being such a problem last year but so far this year it is costing the Phillies outs and now runs. Chase Utley threw a ball to Howard in the top of the tenth inning today against the Chicago Cubs that should have been at least blocked. the result was a run scoring and the Cubs taking the lead.

Howard needs extra practice Charlie. Get him out there and get this straightened out before it costs us more runs and games!