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Hope for the Phillies' slow start at home

June 20th, 2012 4:04 AM
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  • Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel looks on from the dugout during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

    • Playing at home is one of the best advantages in sports. Constant cheers from fans and familiarity of the field always seems to make teams perform at a high level. For the Philadelphia Phillies, however, this season has suggested the opposite.

    Coming off a 102-win season which included a 52-29 record at home, the Phillies are currently five games below .500 and sitting at the bottom of the NL East. Although teams are usually expected to have a better record at home, Philadelphia is just 13-19. Many blame the rough start on young players choking in front of sellout crowds, but manager Charlie Manuel has a different opinion.

    Manuel claims that Citizens Bank Park is made for power, and right now the Phillies just don't have enough of it. However, there is hope for the future as John Mayberry Jr. seems to take a while to heat up; the left fielder boasts a career slugging percentage of .567 after May 31. Also, catcher Carlos Ruiz is having the best start of his career. If he can stay hot and Chase Utley and Ryan Howard come back at close to their old production, the Phillies will have the power they need to succeed at their home field.

    THE PHILLIES are now five games under .500 after Tuesday night’s 7-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies, a startling mid-June statistic that pales in comparison with this one: They are now six games below .500 at home despite continued supportive sellout crowds.

    Read the original post from philly.com

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