Rays vs Phils

[ateamstupid]

Ryan Howard strikes out A LOT.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Ryan Howard strikes out A LOT.

Since we're stating the obvious, that BJ Upton sure was sloooooooww tonight. Alot slower than a guy that had 44 sb's during the regular season should look like.

And good thing you rescinded that TERRIBLE assessment of Lidge.

All in all, tonights game was exactly how I had it played out in my mind, a low scoring affair.

The Phils could have gotten Hamels a bit more rest had they capitalized on all of those stranded runners early on in the game. Things like that could be the difference, no matter how small they appear to be. Good job by Kazmir getting out of those early jams.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

Ryan Howard strikes out A LOT.

Ryan Howard cant hit left handers. I know this will cause much controversy among our Philly fans but they should consider platooning him against left handers (of course this assumes they would have a right handed possibility). Despite the HR's and RBI's he is not nearly the same hitter he was in 2006 and his stats against lefties are awful. Try .224 with a .294 OBP and .451 slg%. These are unacceptable numbers from a back up catcher let alone a supposed MVP who happens to be a liability in the field and is slow as sin. One very interesting number that you will never hear about from the stooges (Buck and McCarver) is that Howards intentional walks went from 35 and 37 the last 2 years to 17 this year in more at bats. It says that opposing managers were willing to pitch to him in important situations more than they used to be. That lack of respect and last nights when Utley was IBB'ed to face Howard is a big warning sign. It is laughable that anyone thinks that he is a better player or more valuable than Utley. Signing him to a big long term contract will be a huge mistake for them or really anyone else. See Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder in their 30's.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Ryan Howard cant hit left handers. I know this will cause much controversy among our Philly fans but they should consider platooning him against left handers (of course this assumes they would have a right handed possibility). Despite the HR's and RBI's he is not nearly the same hitter he was in 2006 and his stats against lefties are awful. Try .224 with a .294 OBP and .451 slg%. These are unacceptable numbers from a back up catcher let alone a supposed MVP who happens to be a liability in the field and is slow as sin. One very interesting number that you will never hear about from the stooges (Buck and McCarver) is that Howards intentional walks went from 35 and 37 the last 2 years to 17 this year in more at bats. It says that opposing managers were willing to pitch to him in important situations more than they used to be. That lack of respect and last nights when Utley was IBB'ed to face Howard is a big warning sign. It is laughable that anyone thinks that he is a better player or more valuable than Utley. Signing him to a big long term contract will be a huge mistake for them or really anyone else. See Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder in their 30's.

He can be bad on the field... I was real pissed when he committed that error last night. Dude needs to fix his head and get into shape.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

He can be bad on the field... I was real pissed when he committed that error last night. Dude needs to fix his head and get into shape.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Scav

What do you mean by this? His head hasnt been right almost the whole year and he could use a few 5k runs. He shouldnt strike out as much as he does if he wants to be the teams MVP player. There are like 36 guys on the roster that have had a better post season than him, and he's supposed to be clutch.

I'm hoping he snaps out of it during the series obviously, cause he's wicked when he's right.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

What do you mean by this? His head hasnt been right almost the whole year and he could use a few 5k runs. He shouldnt strike out as much as he does if he wants to be the teams MVP player. There are like 36 guys on the roster that have had a better post season than him, and he's supposed to be clutch.

I'm hoping he snaps out of it during the series obviously, cause he's wicked when he's right.

He is what he is. He was chunky in 2006 when he was awesome. Being fat is going to lead to his more rapid degrading of his skills because it always does. He cant hit left handers and he can expect a steady diet of them late in the games.

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

He is what he is. He was chunky in 2006 when he was awesome. Being fat is going to lead to his more rapid degrading of his skills because it always does. He cant hit left handers and he can expect a steady diet of them late in the games.

Haven't checked the stats but he doesn't seem to hit the curveball well either! That double was a mistake by the pitcher, and he seems to commit to the pitch too soon. If he is diligent...he can still be great....but the 'shape'
has to change too!

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Scav

Also, whenever his contract is up, he'll be outta Philly. The Phillies ownership are cheap as heck. I mean Howard had to go through arbitration to get the $ he deserved, and there is no way in my mind that we'll pay him what he'll want when the time comes.

Thats the same reason I doubt we'd get a guy like Manny (omg I would love that though!), because we wont give him

Howard brings a ton of good things to my ball team, but he needs to step it up now. Was as evident as ever last night when the Rays INTENTIONALLY WALKED Utley in front of Howard!!

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

Also, whenever his contract is up, he'll be outta Philly. The Phillies ownership are cheap as heck. I mean Howard had to go through arbitration to get the $ he deserved, and there is no way in my mind that we'll pay him what he'll want when the time comes.

Thats the same reason I doubt we'd get a guy like Manny (omg I would love that though!), because we wont give him

Howard brings a ton of good things to my ball team, but he needs to step it up now. Was as evident as ever last night when the Rays INTENTIONALLY WALKED Utley in front of Howard!!

That will be a long term positive. He actually brings very little outside of power against right handers. He is REALLY good at that and he may be a good guy but he really has very few other assets.

[Antitrust32]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

That will be a long term positive. He actually brings very little outside of power against right handers. He is REALLY good at that and he may be a good guy but he really has very few other assets.

But being cheap is not a long term positive for the Phillies. We need to make sure we pay guys what they deserve (Cole, Chase, Jimmy, Victorino) so they dont get pissed and leave when their contract is up.

I wonder IF we possibly win a world series, if then the ownership will open their wallets. Citizens bank park has been filled all year long, and with this great group of young guys, the seats will continue to fill up.

I personally hope we keep Howard whenever that time may be.. unless we somehow get a guy like Manny.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Ryan Howard cant hit left handers. I know this will cause much controversy among our Philly fans but they should consider platooning him against left handers (of course this assumes they would have a right handed possibility). Despite the HR's and RBI's he is not nearly the same hitter he was in 2006 and his stats against lefties are awful. Try .224 with a .294 OBP and .451 slg%. These are unacceptable numbers from a back up catcher let alone a supposed MVP who happens to be a liability in the field and is slow as sin. One very interesting number that you will never hear about from the stooges (Buck and McCarver) is that Howards intentional walks went from 35 and 37 the last 2 years to 17 this year in more at bats. It says that opposing managers were willing to pitch to him in important situations more than they used to be. That lack of respect and last nights when Utley was IBB'ed to face Howard is a big warning sign. It is laughable that anyone thinks that he is a better player or more valuable than Utley. Signing him to a big long term contract will be a huge mistake for them or really anyone else. See Mo Vaughn and Cecil Fielder in their 30's.

He's too good with the leather to platoon him. We will see a different RyHo tonight against Shields IMO. He has been swinging the stick like $HIT as of late, but he definitely sees righties better. If the Phils get ANY production from either him or J Roll (wtf does he swing at, does he even open his eyes?), it will be more than what they've been getting, and it could spell doom for teh Rays.

And that foul ball that he practically went into the stands for is a testament to how dossile Ray's fans are. Had that happened here, Pena would have not come out of that situation with either his glove or his hand, or both. The fans here would have made sure he didnt catch that ball. It's little things like that, that make this game so intricate and is fun to watch.

And I agree that the money it would take to lock him up could be better spent.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

He's too good with the leather to platoon him. We will see a different RyHo tonight against Shields IMO. He has been swinging the stick like $HIT as of late, but he definitely sees righties better. If the Phils get ANY production from either him or J Roll (wtf does he swing at, does he even open his eyes?), it will be more than what they've been getting, and it could spell doom for teh Rays.

And that foul ball that he practically went into the stands for is a testament to how dossile Ray's fans are. Had that happened here, Pena would have not come out of that situation with either his glove or his hand, or both. The fans here would have made sure he didnt catch that ball. It's little things like that, that make this game so intricate and is fun to watch.

And I agree that the money it would take to lock him up could be better spent.

You are kidding arent you?

There are only 17 actual rays fans and they have been shoved aside to the cheap seats (except Bigs and Rudemush). I would have loved to see leo run out and 'unintentionally' get in the big fellas way.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

You are kidding arent you?

There are only 17 actual rays fans and they have been shoved aside to the cheap seats (except Bigs and Rudemush). I would have loved to see leo run out and 'unintentionally' get in the big fellas way.

Surprisingly, I'm not. I'm not saying he's the best out there, but he's adequate enough to keep him where he's at. Good for his size I guess you can say. I mean, he doesnt miss many flyballs. And his bat has too big a hole in it to just DH him. He would stink in that role IMO and its not like Charlie has other options at the corner. Dobbs is too good at pinch hitting to start at first, as he's shown an affinity for coming off the bench and getting tht pinch hit over playing a full game. I'm sure the masses will disagree with me here, even Anti. (we gotta stick together in times like these, even if we dont see eye to eye about Big Red. )...ok enough emoticons for me...

Good thing Leo didnt step in front of him. Not that I doubt Leo's capabilities, but Howard's nostrils are just too big. He'd have been sucked up in there faster than an F5 tornado. They'd still be scraping Leo off the ground after Howard exhaled and spit him back through those wind tunnels. His oxygen intake must be through the roof. (and I honestly think sin is faster than him)

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

Surprisingly, I'm not. I'm not saying he's the best out there, but he's adequate enough to keep him where he's at. Good for his size I guess you can say. I mean, he doesnt miss many flyballs. And his bat has too big a hole in it to just DH him. He would stink in that role IMO and its not like Charlie has other options at the corner. Dobbs is too good at pinch hitting to start at first, as he's shown an affinity for coming off the bench and getting tht pinch hit over playing a full game. I'm sure the masses will disagree with me here, even Anti. (we gotta stick together in times like these, even if we dont see eye to eye about Big Red. )...ok enough emoticons for me...

Good thing Leo didnt step in front of him. Not that I doubt Leo's capabilities, but Howard's nostrils are just too big. He'd have been sucked up in there faster than an F5 tornado. They'd still be scraping Leo off the ground after Howard exhaled and spit him back through those wind tunnels. His oxygen intake must be through the roof. (and I honestly think sin is faster than him)

He led (is that the right word?) major league 1st basemen in errors with 19. His brother in fatness , Prince Fielder was second with 17.

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

He led (is that the right word?) major league 1st basemen in errors with 19. His brother in fatness , Prince Fielder was second with 17.

Please, let's not mix facts with my off the wall view of his glove. His brother in fatness, I like it. May have to use that one with the boys Saturday night.

Let's go BOys, rough up this righty, get it done and get back to the Illadelph with the series lead!!