Posted: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 5:16 PM | 15 comments |
 

Howard has a flu-type thing
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Frank Sinatra has a cold and Ryan Howard, it seems, has the flu. The Phillies lineup is unusual tonight, and my first thought was, “hmm, shaking it up, Charlie?” But he explained the changes this way: Howard had a fever of 104 last night and has “the flu or something.” He went to the hospital, and can’t play today. He is at the ballpark, though he declined to speak with the media. He was walking around and even told a joke, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Manuel doesn’t know if Howard is available to pinch hit. 

Paul Bako was just due a start, and got one on his birthday. Manuel wants to see what he has in the catcher, and you’ve got to play him in order to do that. Manuel likes Dobbs at first base more than Stairs.
 
Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Utley 2b
Stairs LF
Werth RF
Dobbs 1b
Feliz 3b
Bako C
Happ LHP
Posted by Andy Martino @ 5:16 PM  Permalink | 15 comments
15
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:58 PM, 06/20/2009
    Nice Gay Talese reference, Andy. Unusual lineup, but a change can't hurt and might break the run we've been on. Go Phillies!
    — oldecityslicker
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:04 PM, 06/20/2009
    He got around the bases pretty well early last night for a guy that had a 104 degree fever. Maybe a night off will do him some good.
    — scottash
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:13 PM, 06/20/2009
    I've been calling for a major shake up of this line up for two weeks now but not in this way. The problem with the Phils is they are completely predictable, as is Charlie, and deffinately just as surely as Ryans swinging at a 3-2 ball outside the strike zone. Will Charlie use him in tonights game? How many hints do you want? Of coarse this is just another charade like we have to endure with Rollins. Try batting Howard 3rd or 5th Charlie and see what kind of results that gets you. Not another top shelf manager in baseball would continue to let Ryan to hit cleanup with that average. We started out the beginning of this year thinking that if we surround Howard with .300 hitters he would do well but it has been anything but the case. So where does the problem lie? With Howard or with the batting instructor or the manager. Who has created this failure? Well the reality of it is that Ryan is in control of his own destiny and from what I see will be rendered ineffective by Sept.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:31 PM, 06/20/2009
    Thank Goodness somebody else has brought up the topic of our hitting coach. I've challenged the Philly writers to address this, but nobody has been willing to. Conlin kindly suggested that I didn't know what I was talking about, but when your two former MVP's continue to regress at the plate, something needs to be addressed, and it is his job to address it. This team is horrible with their LOB and RISP numbers, and the K's continue to mount. The Cubs weren't afraid to make a change with their hitting coach. Too bad Reuben doesn't consider doing the same.
    — scottash
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:02 PM, 06/20/2009
    the phillies are in a funk and still in first place. they will eat up the league the second half.
    — JACK V
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:17 PM, 06/20/2009
    Jack V, I agree wholeheartedly!! As bad as the Phils have been the last 10 games, they still hold a 2 game lead in a rotten division. I can't believe that this team can lose games late as much as they have early on this year. It's been 34 years since the last NL team repeated so the Phils will have that against them as well as other intangibles against them this year. I just want a team that is still in it at the end and has a chance.
    — Bill R4
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:28 PM, 06/20/2009
    WAS ANYONE ELSE AS TERRIFIED AS I WAS TO SEE MATT STAIRS IN THE OUTFIELD TONIGHT? AND THEN IN THE 9TH WE GOT MR HELPLESS WITH A BAT BRUNTLETT BECAUSE HE WAS IN FOR DEFENSE. OUR BENCH STINKS.
    — DONDEN31
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:38 PM, 06/20/2009
    I have seen some awful endings in my time but tonight was the pits.. the DINGER MAN IS BACK. 2 homers in the last inning is unforgiveable. UNFORGIVEABLE.
    — stoky
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:31 PM, 06/20/2009
    He should have a flu every night. Homer in only at bat.
    — mainlinephan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:16 AM, 06/21/2009
    These are the last place Orioles that are about to sweep the Phils. Does anyone see what this portends?
    — Delaware Jim
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:51 AM, 06/21/2009
    I knew Charlie would not be able to keep Howard out the game, flu or not. It was a great at bat for Ryan when you consider the circumstances. Matt Stairs has proven himself to be a very good situational hitter whether he starts or pinch hits. His play in the outfield has been no worse than Pat Burrells a year ago. In fact Mayberry and Werth have both looked worse in the outfield than Stairs so far. The thing about the hitting that is very frustrating to watch is they make the same mistakes night after night. When someone will not learn from their mistakes there are only a few conclusion you can come to and all are negative. You can debate what is wrong with Howard, Rollins, Werth, or Dobbs but the bottom line has to be a willingness to correct the flaws and I'm not seeing it. Werth is still a sucker for the low away pitch that he can't possibly reach, Rollins like Jenkins doesn't believe his technique needs changing, Howard with the exagerated open stance, can't close it soon enough to hit the outside breaking ball, and everything he swings at from middle in, he hits into the over shift. If you look at Ryans stance of several years ago he was not that open and hit for a decent average. So who can make these players adjust? I'd say the staff talks to them but if they don't change than eventually they go the way of a trade or the Jenkins route.
    — Wally 24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:27 PM, 06/21/2009
    Was there any concern about having Ryan around the team while battling these flu-like symptoms? Should we anticipate other players coming down with something when they're on the road? I understand and appreciate Ryan wants to be with the team, but sometimes someone else needs to step in and make a recommendation for the good of everyone.
    — kmon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:06 PM, 06/21/2009
    What is up with pro athletes and 'flu like symptoms'? they seem to get the flu constantly, while I haven't got the flu in over 10 years - and I ride SEPTA all the time, which is one big germ factory - I always found that strange. Hope Ryan is feeling better soon.
    — flyersfan74
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:49 PM, 06/21/2009
    It was just reported on mTV news that Ryan was just admitted to the hospital again. Hope he gets over this qiuickly.
    — gjgphilsfan


15 comments
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