For the record, I hate the Big Piece nickname, but it works well for a post title, so I’m going with it.
Going into the World Series, Ryan Howard was on a tear. In the first 9 games, he was 11-31 for a .355 BA to go along with 14 RBIs and 7 extra base hits, including a triple.
He hit a brick wall, literally speaking, in Game 1 of the World Series. Since facing off against C.C. Sabathia in Game 1, he’s gone 3-19 with 12 strikeouts, tying the record for strikeouts in a series, with at least one more game to play. He’s batting. 158 with 1 RBI in the World Series this year. Now, he didn’t do much better in last year’s World Series, going 6-21, but he also hit 3 home runs in that series.
Howard just can’t seem to figure out the Yankees’ pitchers in this round. He tore through Colorado and Los Angeles, but he’s stuck at this point. Game 2 was a complete disaster, going 0-4 with 4 strikeouts, 3 against A.J. Burnett and 1 against Mariano Rivera.
The Phillies’ offense showed signs of life in the Game 5 win, but they’re going to need to continue that and have Ryan Howard find his stroke in order to win the next two games. The new Mr. October, Chase Utley, can’t carry this team by himself against the Yankees.
It’s time for Howard to come around and deliver, as my favorite nickname of him suggests. He’s UPS because he always delivers.
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