Why is Ryan Howard hitting 7th?

[Doughhead]

Now he's behind David Bell? 6th was bad enough...has Charlie Manuel lost his mind or does he just hate me?

[converge241]

ugh

Ryan Howard and David Bell have flip-flopped spots against lefty Billy Traber in Thurday night's lineup.
This even though Howard is 3-for-9 with two walks versus southpaws this season. Bell likely is the better hitter against left-handers, but if the Phillies are down by two with two men on and two out in the bottom of the ninth tonight and Bell is up against Chad Cordero because David Dellucci has already pinch-hit, the decision to hit Howard seventh is going to look pretty bad. Howard will surely continue to hit sixth versus righties. Apr. 20 - 6:56 pm et

[Mberg121]

NONONO, these reports have it all wrong. It's because Charlie Manuel may be the most unintelligent person in the MLB...player OR manager.

[whoson1st0]

Yes charlie is that stupid. I mean of course you'd put david bell in front of ryan howard, because of the lefty/right pitching matchup. That's what the book says, right?

It's like Mr. Burns pinch hitting Homer for Daryl Strawberry because he wanted the lefty/righty matchup. Manuel is a freakin' cartoon.

[whoson1st0]

Oh and of course this 'tough lefty' the phils were facing today was none other than Billy Traber.

"Who is that?" you ask? Exactly. Btw, Bell went 0 for 4.

[stevekahuda]

NONONO, these reports have it all wrong. It's because Charlie Manuel may be the most unintelligent person in the MLB...player OR manager.

I'm sorry, Ken Macha has taken that title today

[jh2031]

It's like Mr. Burns pinch hitting Homer for Daryl Strawberry because he wanted the lefty/righty matchup. Manuel is a freakin' cartoon.

Haha, pretty good example of how Manuel thinks.

[pangbones]

It's like Mr. Burns pinch hitting Homer for Daryl Strawberry because he wanted the lefty/righty matchup. Manuel is a freakin' cartoon.

LMAO!!! Thats funny!! And true!!

[BANDINI]

What a great way to reward the big kid after he homers and hits the game winning single the other night - DROP HIM TO 7TH BEHIND BELL!! Unfrickinbelievable. The Phillies batting order makes me sick. He should be batting 5th at the very lowest. This has to be great for his confidence - thanks Phils management.

[sj2k]

ok, I am grasping at straws here, but here it goes. 1 reason could be like chris shelton, young guy, don't want to put pressure on them. also, the phils lineup at the top is pretty nasty, rollins leading off, then abreu3rd, burrell cleanup and utley 5th. Of course, howard should be fith, utley cleanup an dhoward 5th, but thats not the point.