Heard in the Cheap Seats

Charlie Manuel is sometimes loyal to his players to a fault.  It’s the primary reason why his team adores him and why they never balk when he disciplines players for misconduct.  It was seemingly that loyalty that allowed Jimmy Rollins to continue hitting leadoff for the Philadelphia Phillies despite his prolonged slump to start the season.  Manuel seemed unwilling to show a lack of confidence in Rollins by moving him down in the batting order.

But Rollins became so mired in his slump that he finally forced Uncle Charlie’s hand—when he was moved down to the sixth spot two games ago.  Never one to shy away from a challenge, Rollins responded with a 5 for 8 spurt with 2 HRs, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.  It appeared that Rollins was finally finding his stroke. 

Tonight, when the Phillies face the New York Mets in the second game of a three-game series, Rollins will again find himself in the leadoff spot.  I think the timing of the move is poor.

Granted, the Phillies lineup is better when Rollins is batting leadoff and playing well.  So I understand why Charlie wants to get him back into the leadoff spot as quickly as possible.  My problem is not the move—it is the timing of the move.  Why now?  Why in the middle of an important series with the division-rival New York Mets breathing down your neck in the NL East.

The Phillies offense looked solid in getting to Johan Santana and having Rollins in the run-producing sixth spot certainly did not hurt.  I don’t like to rely on old adages or clichés, but the whole “if it ain’t broke” thing seems to apply in this circumstance.  In the midst of an important series, I see little reason for Charlie to tamper with a lineup that is beginning to pay dividends.

Quick Preview of Tonight’s Game:

Cole Hamels will take the mound tonight coming off the best outing of this season—a complete game shutout.  He will need to be nearly that sharp tonight against a Mets team that is undoubtedly motivated by Cole’s offseason comments that the Mets are choke artists.  Opposing Hamels for the Mets will be Mike Pelfrey.  Pelfrey is coming off a terrible outing in which he was shelled by the Pittsburgh Pirates for 8 runs in 3 2/3 innings.  Pelfrey has struggled with his command all season long so look for the Phils to take a patient approach at the plate tonight and force Pelfrey to throw strikes and get the ball down.