Here are 10 observations from the Phillies’ six-game homestand in which they went 3-3.
1. Homers for Howard
Ryan Howard, who entered the homestand batting .175 with no home runs and two RBIs, hit three homers and knocked in seven runs over five games.
Maybe an even more encouraging sign than the power outbreak was Howard’s strikeout total of three during that stretch, an indication he’s seeing the ball better.
On Sunday, Braves starting pitcher Trevor Cahill attacked Howard with a slew of off-speed pitches before Howard took him deep on an 81-mph changeup up in the zone.
Howard’s had notable difficulty catching up and connecting with fastballs this season, but Cahill, who doesn’t throw hard, went with curveball, changeup, changeup, changeup, curveball and changeup in Howard’s homer at-bat.
Howard should continue to see heat from opposing pitchers that can unleash it.
2. Hamels’ walks
Nothing to worry about.
MLB
The Phillies’ ace has walked three or more batters in three of his four starts, but that’s common for Hamels this time of year.
In his career, he has more walks in only one other month (June — 86) than March/April (84) despite throwing at least 52 fewer innings in March/April compared to the rest.
The southpaw’s worst strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.01) also comes in March/April.
Hamels is a groove pitcher and it’s only a matter of time before he finds his rhythm and the walks begin to diminish.
3. No love for the glove
In their three-game series with the Marlins, the Phillies were dreadful in the field, committing six errors.
Wednesday night was a mess, as the game uncoiled in the seventh and eighth innings when the Phillies balked in the go-ahead run before allowing three unearned ones thanks to a pair of bad miscues, one by Chase Utley and the other by Odubel Herrera.
Following the series loss, manager Ryne Sandberg held some extra pregame fielding work Friday and the Phillies went on to play error-free baseball in taking two of three games from the Braves.
Still, the Phillies have the majors’ fourth-most errors with 17 in 19 games.
4. How about Harang?
The soon-to-be 37-year-old threw eight shutout innings of two-hit ball Friday, but of course got a no-decision in the team’s 1-0 win.
Harang has by far been the Phillies’ best starter through April, as he’s 2-1 with a 1.37 ERA and 0.80 WHIP.
All four of his outings have gone for quality starts.
He and Jerome Williams are a combined 4-2, while Hamels and David Buchanan are 0-6
5. Back to the beginning?
Ben Revere returned to the leadoff spot in the Phillies’ series against the Braves, and you better bet his pair of three-baggers against the Marlins had something to do with it.
Revere now has three triples in his last six games after totaling just one extra-base hit in his 42 at-bats prior.
Revere’s triples were timely, as well, producing three important RBIs.
The Phillies sure could use more extra bases from the 26-year-old.
6. Three cheers for Freddy
Freddy Galvis notched another three-hit game Sunday, giving him four on the season, second in baseball to only the Marlins’ Dee Gordon, according to CSNPhilly.com’s John Finger.
Galvis is a totally different hitter from years past. He won’t continue his .361 clip all season — that’s obvious. But he’s no longer a career .218 hitter, either.
So far, he’s made the Phillies’ transition from the Jimmy Rollins era quite seamless. More on that here.
7. Looking to Chase
Coming into 2015, Utley was a career .311 hitter during March/April.
Last season, he hit .355 in March/April.
So you can see why his .121 start to the season is so perplexing.
Utley went 2 for 15 (.133) on the homestand, but did walk four times.
Since his two-homer game at Citi Field against the Mets, Utley is 2 for 33 (.061).
8. Papelbon’s first blemish
Jonathan Papelbon surrendered his first run of the season when he allowed a solo shot to Braves pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo on Sunday. Papelbon allowed three baserunners after allowing just one in his first 6 1/3 innings, but still recorded the save by inducing a game-ending fly out to the left-field warning track.
Once again, Papelbon is pitching well in what will likely be another losing season.
This could be the year the Phillies finally find a trade partner for the closer. Here’s why.
9. Feeling safe
Herrera has reached base safely, via hit or walk, in 11 straight games.
In his first big-league season, the centerfielder is realizing the importance of getting on and utilizing his speed to create runs and chances for the Phillies’ offense.
He’d certainly have more than eight runs scored if the Phillies’ offense was better fitted to hit with runners aboard and in scoring position.
But Herrera is doing his part.
10. About that
The Phillies are still last in the majors in batting average with runners in scoring position. They’re hitting .169 in such situations.
They’re also last with runners in scoring position and two outs, hitting .156.
Combine those facts with slipshod play in the field like their series against the Marlins, and games will be impossible to win for the Phillies.