Phillies Q: What will it take for Ryan Howard to get his act together?
Claire's Response: Ryan Howard looked better in Game Two but is still not in September form. His troubles are shared by the other big names on the team: trying too hard.
Game Two showed a more relaxed Howard, but as the game progressed into the late innings, he seemed to tense up and his improving vision seemed to stall.
His numbers are improving, and this must make the Rays nervous.
Howard did not lead the league in home runs and RBI by accident. His approach needs to remain the same. Without a home run in 48 at-bats, pitchers should not become lax when Howard comes to the plate— just ask Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
"Take him for granted and start throwing to him, see what happens," Manuel remarked. "He's had 146 RBIs, 48 home runs, check his batting averages and his run production from the seventh inning on or late in the game and see what you come up with.”
Howard is well past due, and it should be no surprise if he breaks out of his slump when the home crowd welcomes him.
Rays Q: Even though Brad Lidge has been a dominant force all season and in Game One, do you have any sort of gut feeling that the ghosts of Lidge past could show up in terms of a meltdown?
Nino's Response: No gut feeling that Brad Lidge will revert to the old Brad Lidge. Hoping for a meltdown like the one he suffered against Albert Pujols in the NLCS years ago is like hoping to win the lottery. If it happens, great you're rich, but the chances are pretty unlikely. He might blow a save, he's bound to at some point before his career is over, and you just have to hope you get him on a night that he isn't feeling it.
He probably won't suffer the meltdown because there isn't an Albert Pujols in the Rays' lineup, someone who could hit the ball 600 feet into the Houston night. Partially because we aren't in Houston and Jonny Gomes isn't on the postseason roster.
Lidge has put that all behind him; he's a changed pitcher. Then again, if the ghosts of Fenway can make an appearance, you never know in this sport we call baseball, where nothing ever makes sense.
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