Comments on: Raul Ibanez: Extra Base Machine

By: frank

frank — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:32:08 +0000

chase has to hit in the third spot. he is a perfect three .

By: steve

steve — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:46:40 +0000

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The problem is pitching, not the batting order.

By: BFO

BFO — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:10:59 +0000

The whole 3 lefties in a row concern is waaayy overated. Between Utley, Howard, and Ibanez, Howard is the only one who hits poorly against good lefties, and he still has the sluggers chance to hit one out (led the league in hrs against lefties last year). The key is one and two. Jroll still isn’t quite on track, and Victorino is streaky. I’d give Werth a shot at lead-off at least until Rollins gets some more at-bats.
Line-up, Lefty starter:

Werth
Marson
Utley
Ibanez
Howard
Rollins
Victorino
Feliz

Against righties, swap Ibanez and Howard, Marson and Rollins.
Our starting pitching will line out, but until Hamels comes back, expect 3 runs in 5-6 innings from the rest of the crew when they are going good. If the bullpen can hold it to a run, we’ll win a lot more than we lose.
I also think that unless the pitchers don’t like Marson, he is here to stay. Not a ton of power, but at least he can turn on the ball.

By: Don M

Don M — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:07:23 +0000

I didn’t see it, but was wondering if Howard made WED GEMS for either of his diving stops yesterday?

He had a nice play on a foul-ball too, down the line, earlier in the game yesterday.. nice to see him improved all-around!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:48:30 +0000

I don’t think anyone here mentioned the improved hitting of Howard (.341BA; 9 RBIs) who has displayed patience and getting good pitches to hit thanks to Ibanez providing protection in the five hole. Ibanez’s hot bat (.386BA; 10 RBIs) certainly helps hitting behind Howard.

By: peasant

peasant — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:06:41 +0000

i never had any doubts that raul would be a bigger threat behind howard than burrell. we needed someone who hits for average with good power, raul’s power numbers are going to JUMP up this year because he’s now in the NL and he’s playing in CBP, which no matter what you think about it’s reputation for being a hitters park, it can’t be denied it’s more of a band box than safeco field. the lefty lefty lefty thing is not good, but werth will comeinto his own this year, he’s already starting to, and feliz can’t play worse than he did last year. one thing i noticed about last year that surprised me is that the phillies bats were in a pretty serious lull most of the regular season, get them all producing at their career averages, and this lineup is in the running for best in the league, no question… and lets not forget that MOST teamsrotations and bullpens are heavy with right handers, so it’s not absolutely terrible to have a lefty heavy lineup for the most part

By: Joedad

Joedad — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:23:23 +0000

The Phils are scoring more than enough runs. no need to adjust the lineup when it is producing.

By: Don M

Don M — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:59:45 +0000

I think I was off by 5 games… When they first signed him, I said that fans would stop complaining, and start to love him when he hit a walk-off Home Run on Opening Night.. and people would go run out and buy his jersey.

Dude is professional hitter.. misplayed a ball in LF, but made up for it at the plate.

Nice story in the Inq. today saying how Ibanez “fits in[to the clubhouse] unbelievably” … breaking things down with Utley and Werth to get adjusted to the National League.

By: reddeath

reddeath — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:54:57 +0000

i was there and me and everyone else were saying “rauuuullllll”.

By: Kevin M

Kevin M — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:33:06 +0000

I like Ted R’s idea…….”El Matador!!!!!!!”