Call to the pen
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Philadelphia Phillies’ Heart of the Order

By Tal Venada

Aug 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) after final out against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Rockies, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (7) celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) after final out against the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Rockies, 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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In March, Kendrick Will Be Flashing the Bull Horns. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez - USA TODAY Sports.
In March, Kendrick Will Be Flashing the Bull Horns. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports. /

While the front office has provided a regular for all eight positions, some are wondering about the middle of the lineup, and others are skeptical regarding elevated hopes for the 2017 Philadelphia Phillies.

Offense Revisited: 

Doubling the value and quality of – for instance – entertainment helps to balance the mundane aspects of the daily grind.

If you break down the batting order, you’d find each slot having a function and working as part of one unit. Additionally, when manager Pete Mackanin fills out his lineup card, he strategizes for the end of the game, not just the beginning. In other words, balancing the offense means splitting up the left-handed and right-handed hitters. It’s math. Averaging .280 against same-handed pitchers means hitting .300 versus easier competition and .260 against the better hurlers: those closers in the ninth inning with the outcome on the line.

At the top of the order, Cesar Hernandez is the leadoff man and Odubel Herrera bats second, which at least gives the Phils right-side and left-side coverage. On, however, the opposite end of the lineup, Mackanin has Cameron Rupp and Freddy Galvis to add runs and pick up some slack during the long 162. Ergo, important.

Batting third for the Philadelphia Phillies, Howie Kendrick – applause – has a history of roughly averaging .290, but he hasn’t recorded 13 homers since 2013 and 75 RBI since 2014. And while the corner infielders and the right fielder have power, Kendrick can produce a higher average. Expectation: Kendrick, 33, who is in his contract year, needs numbers for a three-season deal; so general manager Matt Klentak absorbed his $10 million commitment for four months of offense and a July trade chip.

On the other hand, Roman Quinn must prove – by playing daily – he can be successful at Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and be healthy, while Aaron Altherr and Daniel Nava will probably be the outfield reserves.

Kendrick’s stats:

  • 2013: 122 Gms., 513 PA, a .297 Avg., 13 HR, 54 RBI, a .775 OPS and a 2.6 fWAR.
  • 2014: 157 Gms., 674 PA, a .293 Avg., 7 HR, 75 RBI, a .744 OPS and a 4.6 fWAR.
  • 2015: 117 Gms., 495 PA, a .295 Avg., 9 HR, 54 RBI, a .746 OPS and a 2.2 fWAR.
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