There are plenty of other places to read about the details of the Phillies' last two victories. I'd rather concentrate today on Charlie Manuel's approach to giving players days off for various reasons.
The handling of the Jimmy Rollins injury was very bad, using him on four different occasions as a pinch-hitter when it was clear to all his sprained ankle was hampering his batting as well as fielding. Finally and belatedly, the Phillies decided to put Rollins on the Disabled List. He is now in Florida rehabilitating the ankle. Due to come off the DL on May 5th, reports are he might not be ready to play by that date.
Ryan Howard, slumping very badly and looking completely lost at the plate, was benched for the last two games to give him time to reflect and decompress. Manuel admitted Howard needed some relief from pressing, saying the big first baseman was trying to "get ten hits in every at bat". So what does Manuel do on Thursday in Milwaukee? Sends in Howard to pinch hit, leaves him in the game to play first, and watches as the struggling slugger strikes out not once but twice. I'm sure his performance went a long way to easing his mind.
Howard was on the bench for last night's series opener in Pittsburgh with Chase Utley getting the start at first base and, incidentally, starting a 3-6-3 (pitcher covering) double play with a throw Howard struggles to make consistently. But in the bottom of the eighth inning, Manuel again sent Howard up to pinch hit and, surprise surprise, he struck out feebly on the same breaking stuff away that lies at the root of his .176 batting average.
Memo to Charlie: if you are giving a player the day off, GIVE HIM THE ENTIRE DAY OFF!
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