Is Howard Finally Heating Up?
In the many storylines from the Phillies' 8-6 loss to the Braves last night, you'll find Brett Myers' continued struggles, which are getting worse if anything, another homer by Chase Utley, Chris Coste going 4-4 at the plate, and could it be... Ryan Howard coming out of his slump?
Howard has quietly put together a 6-game hitting streak (mostly single-hit games), and his homer was his eighth of the season and second in four games. He's knocked in a run in each of those four games, and five of his last six. In the past week, Howard has raised his average from .163 to .182. These sub-Mendoza numbers are hardly setting the world on fire, but with the beach balls Howard's been missing up there this season, we'll take it.
By the way, the final line on Myers was 4.1 IP, nine hits, eight runs (six earned), six Ks, and three walks. He also gave up three homers, two of which were to the first two batters, and he now leads the majors in HR yielded. And coming into this season, we were worried about the 3-4-5 pitchers...
The bullpen again looked good, but the damage done to Myers was too much for the Phillies' come-from-behind effort to overcome.
I want to be confident that he will fix whatever is wrong, and we know he has it in him, but right now I am just happy to see that our bullpen is as strong as it has been. If we had last year's pen, I would be freaking out. As long as we are kept in the game (8 runs, not so much) our offense will have a chance.
Posted by: ill | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:52 AM
I am only the only one that is less worried when Eaton takes the mound then when Myers does? It seems to me from watching last night he was either pitching perfectly or just absolutely awful he didn't have anything in the middle.
Posted by: themajor | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Myers and Howard both better pick it up.
The Phils will soon be the only team in the fan spotlight for an extended period of time. Myers especially had the luxury of screwing up while attentions were on Howard's slump, on the Winter sports teams and the Eagles at the draft.
Posted by: johndewar | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Talk about an exciting ending to last night's game. I was sitting behind home plate in the 300 level and for a few seconds there it looked like Shane's hit had the distance... too bad
Posted by: Rico | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:05 AM
I think Myers is making a case for expanding analysis of Three True Outcomes to pitchers.
Howard is batting .280 in the past week.
Posted by: sjf | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:46 AM
That's awesome sjf. I never thought of that.
The Rob Deer Fan Club lives on!
Posted by: Loqiel | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Brett wants to go back to closing so he decided to suck really bad this year in hopes of getting his closer role back. Wait what? most of the time that just gets you sent to AAA!
Posted by: Mike L. | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Is Howard Finally Heating Up?
No.
Posted by: Rosco | Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Is Howard finally heating up?
Yes!
Posted by: ron | Friday, May 16, 2008 at 12:45 AM