As I tap this quick little post, it's 10:42 EST and Charlie Manuel's lineup tonight baffles me.
1. J Rollins - SS
2. K Lofton - CF
3. B Abreu - DH
4. J Thome - 1B
5. J Michaels - RF
6. C Utley - 2B
7. D Bell - 3B
8. M Lieberthal - C
9. E Chavez - LF
Seriously. The one run Brett Myers has allowed so far had better be his last, because that is one weak lineup.
I can understand spelling players, but the way Manuel goes about it does not make sense, particularly several in one night. Plus, Jim Thome, whose delicate lower back will never be confused with Plastic Man's -- forget about his "defense" -- should always be the designated hitter whenever the opportunity presents itself. But instead, he is manning the first bag, rather than a certain someone <cough>Ryan Howard</cough> who is knocking the cover off of the ball in Scranton.
As a matter of fact, I am convinced that there is something going on behind the scenes in the Phillies management that the fans just don't know about when it comes to Howard...
1. Is it possible that Howard and his agent are being taught a lesson in response to their offseason trade request?
2. Are there several trades possibilities in the works and Ed Wade does not want to do anything to devalue the slugger?
3. Is he secretly blind in one eye?
Since it defies logic that he has not been called up to be used to spell Jim Thome in the field, I'm left to grasp at such scenarios.
