Ryan Howard - Time to Adjust !!

Ryan Howard is on a pace to strike out 227 times this season, which will shatter the single season strikeout record (199) held by.........himself ! Howard has looked awful this year and is quickly becoming a very easy out in the Phillies lineup. Ok, Charlie Manual, let me tell you what to do with him.


1) Do not start him when the Phillies face a Left Handed pitcher. Howard has done terrible this season against lefties. Until he gets back in a groove, he should start soley against Right handed pitchers.

2) Move him down to 5th in the Lineup. He doesn't deserve to hit 4th in the lineup, at least not now. Pat Burrell is hitting well this Spring, and it makes sense to split up the 2 left handers, Utley and Howard.

3) Get someone who can teach Howard a new Batting stance. He has not adjusted at all since his Rookie Season and pretty much every NL Pitcher has adjusted and knows how to pitch to Howard.

4) If they put a shift on him (which every team in the National League has so far), suggest he drop a bunt down the 3rd base line. He should do that until teams take off the shift.