What would you do?
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What would you do?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It's a question that Charlie Manuel asked to a reporter last night who questioned whether the manager should re-visit his line-up given the Phillies' poor offensive showing against the Braves last night.
So, what would you do?
Obviously, a lot of attention is being paid to the lefty-lefty-lefty middle-of-the-order Manuel rolled out last night, particularly because Braves lefty closer Mike Gonzalez struck out Ryan Howard and Raul Ibanez with two men on base in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
But don't forget that a righthander stymied the Phillies for the first eight innings. Frankly, I think a lot of times the righty/lefty talk is overblown. I understand the value of balance in a line-up. But just because I'm right handed doesn't mean you want to see me in the box splitting up Howard and Ibanez.
Keep in mind that, for all the talk of how the Phillies struggle against lefties, they actually hit better against them (.257) last season than they did against righties (.255). As a matter of fact, the team's left-handed bats hit better against lefthanders (.229) than their right-handed bats hit against righthanders (.224).
There is an argument to be made that Jayson Werth should hit fifth in this line-up. It makes particular sense against left-handed starting pitching. But Werth is a much better hitter against lefties than righties, so when a righty is on the mound, does it make sense to stick him between three lefties who, theoretically, should feast on righties? Plus, keep in mind that the Phillies need someone at No. 2 to both get on base for Utley, Howard and Ibanez as well as move Rollins and the bottom of the order over and home (Both of which Werth did last night in the ninth inning out of the two-hole).
It is a pick your poison situation. In the end, it comes down to putting the ball in play, regardless of what side of the plate you hit from.
All goes back to the question, Why is Raul Ibanez here? We need a right handed power hitter to play 3rd base or left field. Ruben gives us a 37 year old left handed hitter on a 31 million dollar 3 year contract. Makes a lot of sense to me. Pat the bat would look pretty good right now.— bigtbone- lowe was unhittable last night...didn't matter if you were a switch-hitter...this stuff happens once in a while...the question is,'can they bounce back?'...i think this time is pretty resilient...winning it all takes a lotta luck.— oz
- lowe was unhittable last night...didn't matter if you were a switch-hitter...this stuff happens once in a while...the question is,'can they bounce back?'...i think this team is pretty resilient...winning it all takes a lotta luck.— oz
- My line up would be Victorino, Rollins, Utley, Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Feliz, Ruiz. Keep in mind that Werth led the majors in homers against LH pitching, and, he works counts even against righties and he provides speed for the bottom of the order to bring him around. This is much the same reason for batting Shane 6th; but, to me, I would rather have his speed up front with Ibanez providing pop at 6. Shane doesnt have the pop that a 6 should have. If you can get 24-30HR's from Werth, 20-25 from Ibanez and Feliz, that is a formidable bottom half of the lineup -- while giving the top half speed up front and power at 3&4 to bring them home.— Master Dreamz
- oz, I agree. I think the pre game celebration left this team a bit flat. Lets see how tomorrow works out.— Master Dreamz
- Oh, and, all that being said, I really have no problem with Charlie's lineup. That kind of stuff is what he gets paid for, I am just giving an alternate opinion; and, I am not saying he is in anyway wrong for his lineup. Keep up the good work guys!— Master Dreamz
- Wow...people are overreacting. Against a right handed starting pitcher (which Lowe is) it is perfectly fine to have the 3 lefties in a row. Against a left handed starter than you put Werth in the 5 hole. Also, I liked that Victorino was 6th last night because he has not had many spring at bats and has also struggled at the plate this spring...meanwhile, Werth hit well this spring. Charlie has a proven track record of setting a good lineup based on the matchup and what he is feeling. It is one game people, calm down.— Lemur
- Murph, the dilemma is more complicated that lefty on lefty avg., or righty against righty. The problem with the 3 lefties in a row is that also affects our best pinch hitters, Dobbs and Stairs. If you split Howard and Ibañez with Werth and the opposing manager brings a lefty to face Utley and Howard, he might bring a righthander to face Werth. Then he has to think about bringing another lefty to face Ibañez. That's 3 bullpen guys used in one inning possibly, including two lefties. Then the chances of bringing another lefty to face Dobbs and/or Stairs are very unlikely; no many teams carry 3 lefthanded relievers. If he decides not to waste the 2 relievers, then Werth will be facing a lefty and he feasted on then last year. That should be the issue. Charlie has to take advantage of that, in my opinion.— EL Zorro
- My line ups would be 1. Rollins 2. Utley 3. Werth 4. Howard 5.Victorino 6. Ibanez 7. Bruntlett/Donald 8. Ruiz..... Time to pull the plug on the Pedro Feliz signing. The guy freakin blows. He has one of the worst approaches to hitting I've seen.— FetchDixon
- El Zorro - I agree, but until Victorino gets back into a groove, you want Werthy getting more AB's, since he's more likely to get on base/get a steal/score runs. For now... But when Shane is back, I'd go Rollins-Victorino-Utley-Howard-Werthy-Ibanez-Feliz-Ruiz. Even though Utley/Howard are 2 lefties, that really breaks up the whole sequence.— Philth
- Hindsight being what is it is, would Moyer have been a better option to start last night? I think Myers' adrenline gets the best of him some time. He got the first 2 batters on 4 pitches and had Jones 2-2, when the crowd got up got loud. Instead of using the hook to put him away he tried to be the big man and throw heat by him.— wtphillies
- Why not simply swap Utley & Werth? While Utley hits lefties pretty well, teams would most likely not leave in a LHP to face Werth.— bacbank
- Why don't you all relzx. They have played one game against one of the best pitchers in teh game who was having one of those nights. The line up you got is the lineup you'll get. Perhaps, every now and then Werth and Shane may change places and perhaps Ibanex will beat 6 here and there. it doesn't matter. If the pitcher is pretending to be Cy Young, you won't score. Talk to me in a month if there are still problems— jeff gross
- Jeff take a pill, Murphy is asking for opinions. Anyway here is another. I would've loved for Charlie to try Victorino leading off with Utley batting second and Rollins third, followed by Howard, Werth, Ibanez, Feliz and Ruiz during spring training. Too bad a few guys were injured and others played in the Classic. I know some guys think Victorino is not a typical lead off guy, but neither is Rollins. That way you’ll split the lefties in the lineup and still have 4 lefties in a row against a righty, including the two switch hitters. It’s still worth a try once in a while. Think about: 1) Victorino, 2) Utley, 3) Rollins, 4) Howard, 5) Werth, 6) Ibañez, 7) Feliz and 8) Ruiz.— EL Zorro
- Murph, any word on whether there was required batting practice for Victorino, Utley, Werth, and Feliz today to get them more swings? One team looked awfully rusty in the batter's box last night; the other looked to be in grooves. Given the injuries and WBC that limited ABs for these guys in the spring, I hope that Charlie has these guys in the cage on all of these off days.
