Game 99: Howard sits
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Game 99: Howard sits
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
What do Michael Morse, Todd Helton, Freddie Freeman, Gaby Sanchez, Daniel Murphy and Carlos Pena have in common? Well, they all have higher OPSes than Ryan Howard.
And Howard finally finds himself out of Charlie Manuel's lineup Saturday against San Diego. It's just the second time this season Howard is not starting.
Since the all-star break, Howard is 2 for 28 with no extra-base hits. His season OPS is down to .789 and his batting average is a paltry .245. Howard's OPS in 2009 was .931. It's 142 points lower this season.
The fact that Mat Latos is on the mound probably has to do with the decision too. Howard has faced Latos nine times. Eight of those times he struck out. Once, he walked.
John Mayberry Jr. starts at first base in Howard's absence.
The lineup:
1. Jimmy Rollins 6
2. Michael Martinez 5
3. Shane Victorino 8
4. Chase Utley 4
5. Raul Ibanez 7
6. Domonic Brown 9
7. Brian Schneider 2
8. John Mayberry Jr. 3
9. Kyle Kendrick 1
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
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Message to RH...think left field on those outside pitches. the fences are no farther in left and you have the power to reach them! Regardless of what bloggers say, you are paid to hit, not be a speedy baserunner. Lay that one on Samuel' bad judgment.— billroc35- Howard says all you doubters know what you can do.— greenflyer
- Howard doesn't play well in cold or real hot weather. He'll have a good August and September. He hasn't had a good 5 man all season. He's trying too hard. He'll be fine.— greenflyer
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I was alson wondering when Charlie was going to do this. You could clearly see the frustration on his face, and it seems he needs to tinker with his stance again or something...His ability to recognize the pitch and it's location is poor...Down and in, and down and away get him away every time...— PhilliefaninAZ - For me...I just can't stand the pouting...I like some fire in the players...Philly will excuse anything but a mope. And for 25mil he just doesn't do it for me....and if he goes he can take the Diva in waiting Dom Brown with him.— Fred B.
- At least Howard won't strike out on ball four with a man on third and less than two outs. Unless he pinch bats -- not pinch hits.— 2smart4philly
- Howard has NEVER been worth the money they pay him. His production has gone down every year.....I used to think Schmidt struck out alot.— mbutley
- our cleanup hitter has 4 home runs ... this is perhaps the ML's most pathetic lineup— makrom
- It's about time......when are people going to realize that we have seen the top of the mountain for RHoward. It's been downhill for the last 2 years and it's only going to keep going that way. There was no reason whatsoever to overpay early on for this player. Just think of what $25 mil/per could have bought.....like Adrian Gonzalez a Gold Glove .325 power hitting RBI machine......— Mark1npt
- in 8 official at bats, Howard has struckout every time...I understand why Howard sits this one out!!!— danielboyer
- What's next? Ibanez sitting? silly me— stoky
- I was wondering when Charlie was going to do this. You can see the frustration on his face when he is up at that plate. Hopefully getting some rest will get Ryan back on track.— cahris
- Howard's swing is so freakin long and chasing so many bad pitches. Its a sign of a struggling hitter.— z03mbm
- Ryan Howard needs to sit because he is embarrassing at the plate now for weeks— shawnmac
- Looks like Schneider is KK's designated catcher; interesting lineup loaded with a lot of speed guys up front and Chase to knock 'em home..— M60tanker
- we keep hearing how great he is because he drives in runs. I would love to know what his batting average is with RISP. If it is no better than his average without RISP, then his high rbi totals are just a function of batting in the middle of what has been a very good lineup over the last few years— blaqjaq
- He's hitting ..217 with bases empty, .272 with guys on base,.310 with RISP, and .327 with RISP and 2 outs — dombrownformayor
- He'll get his stroke back. He'll drive in 120 runs. He's a keeper.
Good to give him a breather against a pitcher he has struggled against.
That old Charlie's a genius.— yahzooman - With that giant contract he is an anchor pulling this team under. I wish they had not signed him and went after Adrian Gonzalez when he became a free agent last winter
— blaqjaq - Gonzalez was not going to be a free agent until after this season. Boston traded for him and then extended his contract. Boston also gave up some excellent young talent to get him. — prop03
- Howard is guessing at the plate...and guessing wrong most of the time.— EaglesPhilliesIrish
- Howard is guessing at the plate...and guessing wrong most of the time.— EaglesPhilliesIrish
- Are you on herion??????????????????Victorino is a keeper as he sparks the line up— hrlevine
- Victorino, Francisco, Cosart, and Ramirez for Matt Kemp.— Seegs
