CLEARWATER, Fla.As the Phillies inch closer to opening day, a few question marks remain. There are the obvious ones that involve guys like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and the teams offense, which certainly wont be answered any time soon.
There also are some minor issues that will likely work out as time progresses, such as how many games can Placido Polanco and Carlos Ruiz play during the season? And how much is too much?
As far as Polanco goes, that all depends on his always tenuous health, but as far as the catcher Ruiz goes, manager Charlie Manuel believes he has worked out the perfect formula.
I think if we ask Chooch to play over 120 games thats a lot, Manuel said. I think that would be a solid season for him -- that would mean 500 plate appearances. I dont know if hes ever did that before.
Actually, Ruiz had a career-high 472 plate appearances in 2011 with 118 games behind the plate. As the season wore on, Ruiz remained strong with the bat, hitting .314 with a .371 OBP over the regular season's final two months. The season prior, Ruiz got into 121 games with 113 of them coming as the catcher. During that season, Ruiz hit a career best .302, including a rather robust .342 during the last month of the season.
Better yet, Manuel rarely moves Ruiz out of the No. 8 spot in his batting order. Not only does that benefit the catcher by allowing him to get better pitches to hit, but it also allows him to catch a bit of a breather between innings, too.
Needless to say, for a catcher going nearly 120 games behind the plate, every little bit helps.
MLB
To me, he kind of fits at No. 8, and its also not as hard on him, Manuel said. But I don't mind hitting him sixth or seventh or something like that.
Because if it aint broke
Friday's lineup
Meanwhile, the Phillies take on the Yankees at sunny Bright House Field on Friday afternoon. Heres the batting order the Yankees will see:
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Shane Victorino, CF
Ty Wigginton, 3B
Hunter Pence, RF
Laynce Nix, LF
John Mayberry, 1B
Brian Schneider, C
Freddy Galvis, 2B
Vance Worley, SP
Following Worley on the mound will relievers David Herndon, Mike Stutes and Jonathan Papelbon.
The Phillies head to Ft. Myers to play the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon with Cole Hamels, Chad Qualls and Antonio Bastardo expected to pitch.
E-mail John Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com