Howard Batting 5th

[RGreener26]

Did anyone else find it a little strange that the day after Howard goes deep twice and gets tons of media attention for his first bomb that he suddenly moves up in the lineup. I mean, I know Charlie is a little slow, but it shouldn't take him a 496 ft. homerun to realize Howard can hit. I wouldn't be surprised if Gillick made him do it, which is a good sign because I am much more confident in Gillick than Manuel.

[Phillie_Fan]

Put him in the fourth slot and trade Burrell for good a good pitcher. These Philly starting pitchers are getting to be a joke. They have little league ERA's


Lieber 7.99
Floyd 8.50
Madson 8.36

[RGreener26]

Lieber 7.99
Floyd 8.50
Madson 8.36

1. How much do you think you will get for Burrell? No way will you get an ace for him. If you can't get an ace for Abreu, then you can't for Burrell.

2. It is too early in the season to say their pitching is terrible. Lieber was awesome down the stretch last year and I doubt he will have an ERA over 5 by year end. Madson, on the other hand, had one bad outing. That is why his ERA is so high. That does not mean he isn't any good and he should bounce back tonight against the Rockies.

The Phillies have an above average staff. Their problem is just that, though. It probably won't be good enough. If Floyd would have had a good year, their team would actually have been good enough to win the NL East. However, looking at Floyd pitch and all the mental problems he has I don't see this happening. Ryan Franklin was a huge mistake because he adds no value to a team.

I just pray and hope Gillick doesn't do something stupid like aquire Barry Zito for the stretch of the season for a ton of prospects. I realize prospects are just prospects, but Zito is one of the biggest overhyped frauds in the league. Just check out his numbers so far this year.

[Androctus]

Can't trade Burrell, have to trade a left handed bat or the whole lineup becomes more lopsided than it already is, and then you have to get a right handed stick too

[RGreener26]

Very good point.

On a side note...I think most criticisms of Abreu are nonsense (he doesn't try, he isn't clutch, etc.). However, the criticism that he is useless against lefties is right on. That may be the reason why he isn't a great player and only a good one.

[Androctus]

Very good point.

On a side note...I think most criticisms of Abreu are nonsense (he doesn't try, he isn't clutch, etc.). However, the criticism that he is useless against lefties is right on. That may be the reason why he isn't a great player and only a good one.Abreu so far has been reasonably solid in the clutch, and a high point so far in the offense, leading the team in rbi thus far. His defense in the first few games was lazy and he suffered a terrible lapse in a game vs the Nats, but other than that hes been his usual self; even made a decent catch against the fence the other day - certainly not gold glove, but Abreu.

As far as hitting lefties, that trick always seems harder than it is for a righty to hit a right handed pitcher. You just see more righties, bottom line. Abreu is awful so far, but a .270+ lifetime average against lefties says he'll come around.

[W_Marone]

How bout Howard being protected by Victorino today? Wow.