This is exactly what Phyllis envisioned from Spencer Howard. This is the reason why they were saving their shots back to spring training, before the world and baseball season was replaced by COVID-19.
In those hot and optimistic days at Clearwater, Phyllis officials were devising ways to keep Howard’s workload under scrutiny so that the 24-year-old right-hand man could make a difference in August Gust and September.
Howard was a difference-maker on the final day of How Gust, as he won 8-6 against Washington Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
Now, he will get a regular turn in the rotation of the Phillies and the test of his young baseball career in September.
“It’s exciting,” Howard said. “I like pitching in those games. They seem to have more importance, games late in the season and playoffs and all that stuff. It’s a pleasure and I’m excited to get there and see what the atmosphere is like.”
Game0- There are 30 games in the sprint of the game, Phillies are 15-15. They have won six of their last seven games. If the postseason was to begin on Tuesday – September 1 – they would enter for the first time since 2011.
If the Phils can continue to win and go into the post season, they will be right in the short series with Aaron Nola and Zac Wheeler at the top of the rotation.
But if they are going to go there they will need to contribute the rest of the rotation.
Zach Afflin has to keep doing what he has to do.
Jack Arita needs to turn things around. It is necessary.
And Howard needs to do more than avoid his big-league baptism by fire. He needs to give the Phils more travel like Monday night in the start of his fourth Big-League.
“We’re going to ask him to pitch some big games and we have nothing but confidence in him to pitch them,” Rice Hoskins said.
Howard’s first four stripes came on strike on Monday night. And even though he only survived five innings as his pitch count was 91, he gave up just five hits and two runs in Juan Soto’s 10th home run. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Soto hits M in front of everyone.
Howard did not land in 11 days due to the postponement. He used that time to work in a bullpen and refilled himself using four pitches. Fastball ball-changeup commbo is its comfort zone. He threw a fast 47 sbs – he is at the top of ph 96. m miles per hour and 18 changeups. He kept the nuts off balance by mixing in 19 sliders and seven curves.
Phillies made four additions to the bullpen in the last 10 days and nothing in the initial rotation.
It was an expression of faith in Howard.
Does Giardi think he’s ready to win big games under the strain?
The manager said, “From what I saw tonight I feel good about this now.” “He used all his funds. I hope it’s a big step for him today, and he realizes that he can compete at this level and use all his strengths and achieve success.”
Howard received plenty of run support from Sizzling Hoskins, Jean Segura and Jay Bruce.
Hoskins hit a solo homer in the first inning and a double club in the seventh. He has entered three straight games and four of the last five. He has eight RBIs in his last three games.
Segura had a three-run double in the fourth, giving him eight RBIs in his last six games.
Bruce took the second inning homer to IL.
JoJo Romaro and Tommy Hunter shone from the bullpen to help Howard stand out.
After the game, Howard walked back to the clubhouse, reached for his phone, and was greeted by congratulatory messages. His teammates then threw a little party in honor of his first win.
“Nice, little beer shower and some baby powder,” Howard said with a smile. “That was fine.”
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