Five adjustments Phils' Manuel should consider

Share

Baseball is a game of adjustments.

Its a baseball cliche that most likely predates my existence on this planet. Yet, its truth cannot be ignored on either the micro or macro levels.

With the 2012 Phillies, we are looking at the macro level because they have some big picture issues. The Nationals are threatening to lap them in the race for the NL East crown and confidence is at a six-year low amongst the fanbase. It is time for the club to make some adjustments and that starts with the manager.

Charlie Manuels approach is often one of patience and routine. He manages the game the same way this season that he did in 2007 or 2010. That has to stop. What was once a virtue is now a vice.

Thats not to say that this clubs problems lay at the hands of the manager. His roster is not elite like in past years. But thats the point. Manuel continues to manage as if he has the better team every day. While that was once true, it is no longer the case.

With that in mind, here are five adjustments the Phillies skipper should think about making.

5. Play your best defensive team in the late innings of games in which you are tied or trail
This bit of advice is more complex in practice than it appears in theory. With the current roster, there is no feasible way of filling every defensive hole in late-game situations. But at the same time (a Charlie favorite), the club cannot continue to lose games because Ty Wigginton is a subpar defensive third baseman.

Placido Polancos impending return should make these end-of-game situations more tenable. If the games on the line, Manuels infield should currently be Polanco-Rollins-Martinez-Wigginton. The outfield should consist of Mayberry, Jr.-Victorino-Pence.

4. Practice accountability
Manuel has proven in the past that hes not afraid to hold players accountable for their actions. (See the benching of Jimmy Rollins in 2008 for not hustling.) Its been some time since hes had to play bad cop. But this team might be in need of a swift boot in the rear.

That means if Wigginton and Mike Fontenot kick the ball around the infield, they dont get to play the next day. And perhaps the day after that.

I know some will argue that a move like that could backfire and that the players might bristle at being treated like children. My response: too bad. There are 25 Mike Fontenots.

A message needs to be sent that poor fundamental play will no longer be accepted with a shrug.

3. Adjust the lineups
I know. I know. Manuel has a new lineup almost every other day. Thats true but his lineup principles are almost always the same. Rollins bats first. Hunter Pence bats third or fourth. Shane Victorino bats third or fifth. Wigginton bats fifth or sixth. Etc. Etc.

There is no combination that Manuel can scribble down that will turn the Phillies current offense into a juggernaut. But he can provide more balance throughout his lineup.

We have seen repeatedly that this years team lacks in the power department. So the best way to counter that is to give yourself as many chances to score as possible. Hit Juan Pierre leadoff. Put Victorino second. Slide Rollins and Carlos Ruiz to the bottom half of the lineup. Youre allowed to have good hitters bat sixth and seventh.

2. Take offensive chances
In previous years, Manuel has smartly played a very deliberate offensive game. When you have power bats like Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth, it does not make sense to run your team out of an inning.

Now, the Phillies hit themselves out inning after inning. Their situational hitting statistics are at or near the basement across the board.

With that in mind, Manuel has to force his team to be more aggressive on the basepaths. Good poker players will tell you that sometimes you just have to go all in. Even if you dont have a great hand.

If the Phillies remain atop the league leaders in successful stolen base percentage, they will also stay stagnant at the bottom of the standings. Thats because the club needs to increase its attempts. This offense has to create runs on the basepaths and the manager can light that spark.
1. Use Papelbon on the road in tied games
This topic has been debated at length by smarter baseball people than I. So I will keep it short.

Its just bad business to make a 50 million investment and leave it on the bench as your season wastes away.

Pitching a closer on the road in tied games is not standard baseball protocol. But this current collection of Phillies cannot afford to play by the book. Theyre not good enough.

Thats a problem that Charlie Manuel is not equipped to fix. But he can still get more out of the team he has.

E-mail Casey Feeney at kfeeney@comcastsportsnet.com

Contact Us