Howard

[Cedrique]

Since Sandberg likes tinkering with the lineup, I'd kind of like to see him try Ryan Howard in the 8 spot for a while. He'd probably get some intentional walks, and at the bottom of the order his ground out RBIs wouldn't be so annoying. (actually that is the job of the 8 hitter, either get on base so the pitcher doesn't lead off next inning or if there are less than two outs, try to get a run home any way possible). Of course baseball players have such fragile egos I doubt this would happen but it seems like it would be worth a try.

 

[Retroram52]

I like this suggestion Cedrique and other critics of Sandberg I have read have clamored for the same adjustment. Moving Howard to the 8 spot would be a palatable option to remove his apparent detrimental play to the offense at his present batting order location and serve the Phillies game-managment process more positively.

That adjustment would tolerate Howard and his declining offense while providing no interruptions to a fragile offense and better positive encouragement to the string of hitters who are presently consistently getting on base that Howard is disrupting with his consistent below .240 batting average.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Putting him in the 8 hole means he is going to see shit pitches a majority of the time. If you are hoping that his bat will improve, putting him in front of your pitcher will not be helpful. If you are just putting him there because he is awful, then that would be a good place for him.

 

[WestCoastPhan]

Amaro has said that Howard is his 1st baseman for 2015. He will be batting cleanup and no lower than 5th. He will continue to take playing time away from Ruf and Franco. And he will continue to kill this offense. Can we please change the subject?

 

[Cedrique]

Putting him in the 8 hole means he is going to see shit pitches a majority of the time. If you are hoping that his bat will improve, putting him in front of your pitcher will not be helpful. If you are just putting him there because he is awful, then that would be a good place for him.

He is seeing shit pitches anyway, because they know he chases them. In fact, they walk Utley intentionally in big spots so they can throw him shit pitches. If he is going to continue swinging at garbage pitches and pulling them to the right side let him get those RBI groundouts at the bottom of the order.

 

[Retroram52]

Well done Cedrique!

 

[TheSnowdog]

Phillies should convert him to a pitcher and then he would be batting 9th every 5th game or so

 

[northeastphillyguy]

Phillies should convert him to a pitcher and then he would be batting 9th every 5th game or so