[Phils20]

Well, in true Philly fashion, the Phils screwed the pooch against a pitcher they owned in the post season last year.

Brett Myers didn't help giving up 4 runs in 2 innings, but the offense is what concerned me a bit!

But it is only one game, so we'll see how things go.

The things I didn't like are still here from last year. Too many strike outs in the line up being the worst thing.

And the three lefties in a row sure didn't work out in the ninth, as the Phils again left risp, and Howard struck out, and looked bad doing it!

Ah well, bring on Tuesday, and the other 161 games this year!

[njpsufan]

How many K's did Howard have??? Lowe is a great groundball pitcher, but yes, the Phils did own him in the playoffs. 2 on with 1 out.... Howard needs to put the ball in play. His K's are just a killer. When the game is tight and he comes up, I personally think " He is going to strike out". He needs to start getting it done. HR in spring training don't count. Myers seemed to settle down after the first 2 innings but he needs to step it up too.

[Phils20]

Howard had 2 K's in 4 AB's.

Myers did get it together after two bad innings, and this team is very capable of coming back from 4-0 with 21 more AB's to go!

Well, like I said, it's a long season! I'm thinking of going Tuesday night, if tickets can be found at face value.

I still love the sport, even after one bad night!

[njpsufan]

Hahaha, oh so do I. My father been out here for the past month and we talk nothing but baseball. We both agree that Howard is a killer... either he kills the ball or kills the rally. It's feast or famine with him. Even if he makes an out, he has to put the ball in play. And if they are going to do that shift on him.. he has to start learning to drop a bunt or a check swing down that 3rd baseline to keep them honest.

[Phils20]

He had a better spring training this year, and Lowe was on his game last night.

That last strikeout in the ninth was a bad one, but I'm hopeful he can cut it down some!

Even if he went from 196 to 150, I could accept that. As long as he gets better every year.

Mike Schmidt was the same way in his youth. Not this bad, but pretty bad.

[njpsufan]

Yeah but Schmidt in his 4th year was much younger then Howard is now. Howard is just a 21st century version of Dave Kingman. To me it seems, he does not want to learn to be a better player. He has a lot of raw talent and is happy to get paid for that, but does not want to go the extra step.

[Phils20]

Well, he did start training in Dec, and dropped 20lbs.

I'm willing to give him this season to get his head together, and stop with the bad SO's.

But it has to start improving this year.

[njpsufan]

I agree. After signing that 3 yr deal he should not be worrying about that. Even when he makes outs... which lets face it, every guy does 7 out of 10 times.... he needs to have productive outs. Move the runners. Force the pitcher to throw you at least 5-6 pitches so as to give your team mates something to see. And late in the game, with tying or winning run on base... swing that bat!! Every 10 yr old knows if you don't swing, you can't hit it. No excuse to take a called 3rd strike in the bottom of the 9th.