This team needs a spark

The Phillies are in dire need of a spark. They just completed a lackluster 5-5 road trip and after tonight's very flat 8-2 loss to the Houston Astros, the Phillies have now dropped five of their last seven games. Meanwhile, the surging Atlanta Braves are just four games behind the Phillies for the National League East title. Moreover, as Todd Zolecki has pointed out, recent National League champions have played remarkably well in the stretch run. Simply put, this team needs some form of inspiration if they want to win the NL East or make another run in the playoffs.

Last season, the Phillies had just dropped two out of three games to the lowly Washington Nationals and were about to start a crucial three-game series with the Mets, whom the Phillies trailed by three games in the NL East. When the Phillies arrived at Shea Stadium, they were greeted in the clubhouse with an inspirational e-mail from Mike Schmidt. The Phillies responded by winning two of three games from the Mets and finished the season 16-6 and won the division by three games.

Earlier this season when the Phillies were in another tailspin, Manuel called a closed-door meeting after a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Phillies responded by taking the final two games of the Blue Jays series and after being swept by the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies went on to win 14 of their next 15 games.

While fans and the media have scapegoated Brad Lidge for the Phillies' recent mediocrity, several other Phillies have scuffled in September such as Chase Utley (.692 OPS), Pedro Feliz (.598 OPS), Shane Victorino (.616 OPS), Cliff Lee (5.59 ERA) and Joe Blanton (4.91 ERA). Whether it's in the form of an e-mail from a Phillies legend, a closed-door team meeting or benching struggling starters, Charlie Manuel needs to realize that his team's current problems extend past who is pitching the ninth inning.
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Beating the overshift

Tonight's game against the Washington Nationals featured the exception to the rule. Ryan Howard flared a ball onto the right side of the field that fell in between the second baseman and the right fielder.

Since Ryan Howard broke into the Major Leagues, opposing teams have employed the "overshift" when he is up to bat, meaning that the third baseman plays in the shortstop position, the shortstop plays in the second base position and the second baseman plays in shallow right field. This alignment has taken countless should-have-been base hits to right field away from Howard.

There may be a way for Howard to beat the overshift that does not involve hitting a lucky shot in between fielders.

Ryan Howard should consider occasionally trying to bunt down the third base line. As long as Howard can bunt the ball past the pitcher (which should not be too hard given Howard's strength), he will easily get a base hit. If Howard successfully executes these bunts on a consistent enough basis (only once or twice a month should suffice), opposing teams would be forced to adopt a more regular infield alignment leading to more base hits to right field for Howard.

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