Philadelphia Phillies Analysis: Werth the Wait

On August 2, 2007, Jayson Werth drove in four runs as the Philadelphia Phillies were victorious against the Chicago Cubs. From the moment I took notice of Werth on that fateful day, I had an inkling he was going to become an integral part of the 2007 NL Championship team.

Tonight, on the first night of Interleague Play, Werth went 3-4 with three home runs and eight RBI against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Unfortunately, for many male fans, his mother wasn’t in the stands cheering for her son.

In the bottom of the third inning, Werth hit a three-run home run to right field, scoring Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.  With the bases loaded in the following inning, Werth slams another home run to right field, increasing the Phillies lead over the Jays to 8-0. In his third at-bat, he went yard one last time this one a solo shot to center field.

As rain-soaked fans watched anxiously for an encore from the night’s hot hitter in the bottom of the seventh, Werth popped out to first base. While his last at-bat was uneventful, his heroics were an event to celebrate.

From April 13-29, Werth filled in as Shane Victorino spent time on the disabled list —now it looks as though he has earned his spot in the lineup. Victorino has been dubbed the team’s center fielder, but in recent starts has been shifted over to right field as Werth continued to patrol center.

With key players now healthy and overshadowed players taking their cue to enter the limelight, look for the Phillies to improve their record—that is, as long as Ryan Howard continues his climb above the Mendoza line.

Next game: Blue Jays @ Phillies, Saturday, May 17, 7:05 pm EST

Probable Pitchers: A.J. Burnett (3-4, 4.94 ERA, 41 SO) vs. Adam Eaton (0-1, 5.40 ERA, 24 SO)