Phillies not living up to preseason expectations
By: Mike Mazzeo
Issue date: 5/18/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 5/18/07 at 1:32 AM EST
Last update: 5/18/07 at 1:35 AM EST
Originally published: 5/18/07 at 1:32 AM EST
Last update: 5/18/07 at 1:35 AM EST
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When Jimmy Rollins said that the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East, people had reason to believe he was right. After all, the Phillies were returning a young core of offensive stars led by the outspoken shortstop Rollins, the 2006 MVP first baseman Ryan Howard, and second baseman Chase Utley, who earned a seven-year 85-million-dollar extension for being a premier player at his position. The pitching staff was headed by two players who were primed for stardom, right-hander Brett Myers and left-hander Cole Hamels. The two seemed like a formidable one-two punch.
Despite a young core, many people questioned who would protect the young Howard in the lineup for the 2007 season. The Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick tried to sign high profile names like Alfonso Soriano but came up short in his attempts to land that big bat behind Howard. The Phillies decided it would be best to look from within to a familiar name to Phillies fans-Pat Burrell.
This season Burrell started hot but then went into a huge slump during the latest ten-game road trip, and this week has started hitting the ball like he did the first few weeks of the season. Despite his recent success at the plate Burrell is hitting only .256. Burrell will need to become a more consistent hitter with Howard on the disabled list.
The lack of protection due to Burrell's inconsistency, along with his left quad injury, has finally forced Ryan Howard to the disabled list. Howard, like Burrell, is not living up to expectations thus far, hitting a sub-par .204, barely above the Mendoza line, at the time before he went on the DL. These two main problems, along with Howard's lack of utilizing his strength, hitting to the opposite field, have left fans wondering if he can indeed return to his 2006 MVP form.
Another question mark heading into the 2007 season for the Phillies was the back end of their bullpen, leading up to closer Tom Gordon. The Phillies were unable to acquire any big name relievers during the off-season. This an off-season in which many average relievers were being overpaid by teams in dire need of stability in the bullpen.
Despite a young core, many people questioned who would protect the young Howard in the lineup for the 2007 season. The Phillies General Manager Pat Gillick tried to sign high profile names like Alfonso Soriano but came up short in his attempts to land that big bat behind Howard. The Phillies decided it would be best to look from within to a familiar name to Phillies fans-Pat Burrell.
This season Burrell started hot but then went into a huge slump during the latest ten-game road trip, and this week has started hitting the ball like he did the first few weeks of the season. Despite his recent success at the plate Burrell is hitting only .256. Burrell will need to become a more consistent hitter with Howard on the disabled list.
The lack of protection due to Burrell's inconsistency, along with his left quad injury, has finally forced Ryan Howard to the disabled list. Howard, like Burrell, is not living up to expectations thus far, hitting a sub-par .204, barely above the Mendoza line, at the time before he went on the DL. These two main problems, along with Howard's lack of utilizing his strength, hitting to the opposite field, have left fans wondering if he can indeed return to his 2006 MVP form.
Another question mark heading into the 2007 season for the Phillies was the back end of their bullpen, leading up to closer Tom Gordon. The Phillies were unable to acquire any big name relievers during the off-season. This an off-season in which many average relievers were being overpaid by teams in dire need of stability in the bullpen.
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