Phillies Week in Review: Howard Flashes Former Greatness

The Phillies had another solid week, finishing with a  respectable 4-2 record. They started with winning the finale of their three game set against the Dodgers in LA. They capped it off by sweeping the Rockies to begin their nine game home stand.

It was a tough week for the Phillies starting pitchers. Adam Morgan was pulled from his start against the Rockies after taking a line drive to the arm. Morgan was diagnosed with an arm contusion, but is expected to make his next start.

After losing Aaron Nola to the disabled list, it was announced that Zach Eflin would be out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.

On Friday night the Phillies inducted future Hall of Fame slugger Jim Thome to their Wall of Fame to kick-off alumni weekend. Thome gave a great speech, lavishing lots of praise on former skipper Charlie Manuel for being such a great mentor.

Tuesday the prodigal son returns. Chase Utley will be playing at Citizen’s Bank Park for the first time since the Philles traded him to the Dodgers last year. It will be strange to see “The Man” sporting Dodger blue and sitting in the visitors dugout. I’m looking forward to seeing the incredible standing ovation Chase is sure to receive during his first at bat. I hope the Phillies win tomorrow night, but I also hope Utley goes 4-4.

Let’s take a look at who was surging and who was struggling last week for the Phils.

Next: Surging Bats

Surging Bats

Carlos Ruiz continued to hit well in limited playing time this week. Chooch batted .500 with four walks and a double in two games played.

Cameron Rupp also had a good week, hitting .333 with two RBI in four games behind the dish.

Utility man Jimmy Paredes capped off a decent week on Sunday, batting .400 with a homer and three RBI.

Ryan Howard is still batting like it’s 2009, hitting .357 with a homer and eight RBI this week. If he can keep up this pace, a team could take a swing at him at the August 31st waiver trade deadline.

Next: Struggling Bats

Struggling Bats

Tommy Joseph, Taylor Featherston, Tyler Goeddel, and Peter Bourjos continue to struggle at the dish. The quartet combined for just four hits in 17 at bats this week. The Phillies will look for Goeddel and Featherston to produce more off the bench, while Bourjos is coming off an injury

Maikel Franco had a poor week with the bat, going .174 with a homer. The home run was good for three runs, which helped the Phillies in the win column last week.

Aaron Altherr hit just .231 this week with a homer and four RBI as the Phillies attempt to get more playing time out of him.

Next: Surging Arms

Surging Arms

Elvis Araujo and Hector Neris had a great week out of the pen, combining for 6.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts.

Severino Gonazalez also pitched well out of the bullpen this week in long relief. Gonzalez gave up just one earned run in five innings pitched with three strikeouts.

Jeremy Hellickson was the lone bright spot in the starting rotation this week. Hellickson posted a 1.80 ERA in five innings pitched with seven strikeouts against the Dodgers. Hellickson did exit the game early with some back tightness, but is expected to make his next start.

Next: Struggling Arms