Keys for the Phillies in Game 5

October 15, 11:03 AMPhiladelphia Phillies ExaminerPatrick Gallen

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A big Game 5 is needed from Jimmy Rollins.

After yelling and screaming for stability in the lineup, the Phillies finally offered some in Game 4.  Every Phillies starter had a hit and unlikely postseason sources (Matt Stairs, hell, even Ryan Howard had an RBI!) helped out as well.  Joe Blanton also continued his trend of pitching a solid game, just enough to keep the team in it after all is said and done. 

Shane Victorino stayed hot by launching a two-run home run into the right field bullpen on Monday night, and Chase Utley had three hits.  Even though the offense seems to be clicking as of now, there are still major shortcomings that cannot be overlooked.  Here are some crucial storylines to look for in tonight’s Game 5.

Where have you gone, Jimmy Rollins?:
J-Roll has been a non-factor for this entire series and for most of the playoffs.  Batting just .118 in the NLCS, he has been a burden to an offense that has struggled to find consistency. 

Rollins is the supposed “table setter” for the batting order, but has looked completely lost, reverting back to the old days of the shallow pop fly that drove the city of Philadelphia mad.  He is the absolute number one key to tonight’s ball game.  They have been lucky to get by without his presence at the top, something that surely cannot continue for this amazing playoff run to stay successful. 

What the Phillies need from him is to slap hits through the infield and maybe lay down a bunt to get the wheels in motion.  Without J-Roll on the base path, this Phils squad lacks that knockout punch.

Speaking of lost, have you seen Ryan Howard?:
After 48 home runs and 146 RBI’s during the regular season, this should have been Ryan Howard’s coming out party as the premier slugger in baseball.  Instead, we’ve been forced to watch his humorous Subway commercial and then also have to sit through his laughable approach at the plate.  Ryan, just stand there!  Everyone knows you’re the big man and you have to knock in runs.  These all-important statistics will set you up with a big contract coming out of the postseason.  But, for the love of God, just stand there.

The Dodgers have rarely given him anything to hit in this series, and he has given the Phillies little in return.  Howard is hitting just .185 in the playoffs with only two RBI’s.  The Dodgers pitchers have been throwing him a plethora of breaking pitches down and away and Ryan has made them look good doing it.  A strong performance from Howard should ease the pain in the middle of the order and might silence the critics in the meantime.  After smacking 11 homers in September, Howard has yet to hit a long ball in the postseason.  Hopefully that works as a nice segue into tonight’s game.

Rattle Chad Billingsley early.
In Game 2, the young righty Billingsley was tortured early and often to the tune of seven earned runs over 2 1/3 innings.  For the Phillies to have success, they need to produce more of the same agony for the 24-year old.  By coming out in the first inning and keeping Billingsley off kilter, the Phillies will gain a distinct advantage.  Rattle him and send him to the showers early and you’re staring at a ravaged Dodger bullpen that has been battered over the last few contests. 

Brett Myers did his damage against Billingsley and though he won’t be pitching tonight, there is word that Charlie Manuel may start him at first base over the struggling Ryan Howard. 

But with all joking aside, the keys to tonight’s ballgame are relatively simple.  Have your two superstars hit the baseball and get a few hits early off of a young pitcher.  Seems easy, right?  Stay tuned.