Light Up the Bat Signal: Phillies' Offense Needs Help

Quick! Someone call Commissioner Gordon. Light up the Bat Signal. Pick up the Bat Phone. Surely there has to be something in that utility belt that can help the Phillies' anemic offense. (My favorite was always the Shark-Repellent Bat Spray, but that one might only help against Tampa.)

But I digress.

Once again, the Phillies' bats went cold—but this time, the pitching could not pick them up.

One game can be a fluke. Two games is trend. Three games is a situation. 

Boys and girls: We have a situation. With the exception of a couple magical innings, the Phillies have not hit this postseason.

After an incandescent September, Ryan Howard has been Mr. Freeze. Left-handed pitchers are busting him on the outside corner, and—unlike last month—he's not waiting on the pitch and poking one of his trademark opposite-field home runs.

How bad has it gotten?

My brother was screaming at the television last night, asking why Pedro Feliz was hitting with two outs in the ninth, and calling for BRETT MYERS!

The funny thing is...Brett Myers' approach at the plate on Thursday is exactly what the Phils aren't doing. They're swinging at first pitches with two men on. They're being overly-aggressive.

The Phillies had a strategy against CC Sabathia: force him to make pitches, get him rattled, and get him out of the game. But it seems against every other Milwaukee pitcher, the Phillies have no strategy. They have no plan. 

If the bats are cold, take more pitches. Force walks. Put runners on base any way you can. Give Dobbs a start. Give Coste a start. Shake it up a little.

It took a superhero effort from Shane Victorino in Game Two to get the win. Someone on Charlie Manuel's bench is going to have to step it up if the Phils are to close out the series.

The Phillies have been a streaky team all season. If the bats don't wake up in a hurry, their postseason will be over in a Flash.