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Maybe it would help if we spent another two months talking about Alfonso Soriano
By egrissom | February 27, 2008
Remember last off-season when the panic of the moment revolved around who was going to protect Ryan Howard in the lineup? Given the hitters the Phillies have I think that’s pretty much a non-issue. It doesn’t change the fact that the results in 2007 after Howard was walked intentionally weren’t very good for the Phils.
Howard was walked intentionally 35 times in 2007, creating 35 chances to hit immediately following the intentional walk. Here’s what the Phils did with those times at-bats:
|
Player |
Times followed IBB to Howard |
|
| Rowand | 20 | 3-for-19 with three singles and a walk |
| Burrell | 11 | 2-for-9 with a single, a home run and two walks |
| Utley | 1 | 0-for-1 |
| Helms | 1 | 0-for-1 |
| Werth | 1 | 0-for-1 |
| Bourn | 1 | 0-for-1 |
| Total | 35 | 5-for-32 with four singles, three walks and a home run |
That, 5-for-32 (.156), just isn’t good. You have to believe that teams don’t want to issue an intentional walk in front of a pitching matchup that’s bad for them, but the results for the Phils overall last season after Howard was walked intentionally were just bad overall.
The game the Phillies had scheduled with Florida State last night was rained out. The Phils play the Reds this afternoon. Moyer, Blackley, Condrey, Carrasco and Madson are scheduled to pitch.
Brett Myers will get the start in the Phillies regular season opener on March 31 against the Nationals. I think that’s a very good idea.
According to the same article, the Phillies claimed middle infielder Ray Olmedo off of waivers and designated John Ennis for assignment. The switch-hitter Olmedo turns 27 in May and has seen time with the Reds and the Blue Jays. In 403 career at-bats he has a 228/276/293 line and that, well, that’s really just not good. Nunez has outslugged him by 21 points over his career. Ennis threw to an 8.22 ERA in three appearances with the Phillies last year, including one start.
Piece from the Traverse City Beach Bums about lefty Jared Locke here.
Madson still wants to start.
Topics: Ryan Howard |
February 27th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I think starting Myers opening day is a good idea…aside from the R-L-R-L rotation, I think Hamels you put as #2, and he is cool with it. Myers, you put as #2 and he pouts, bad performance. Myers you put as the #1 and he knows he is the leader, and has to perform accordingly. Plus he won’t be facing Renteria in late innings this time!
February 27th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
For me the biggest thing is it stops all the Myers to the pen talk. I think that really is the biggest factor for the Phils, even more than than the R/L/R thing. Myers was really good on opening day last year, striking out nine in 7 2/3 while holding the Braves to just four hits.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
The opening day starter’s gig is pretty much ceremonial anyway. Once the season gets rolling, they’ll both (hopefully) pitch the same number of times. It still means that I’m in line to see Kendrick’s second start of the season when I catch the Phils at Shea in April. Wish me luck!