Does the postseason version of Ryan Howard (.229/0 HR/3 RBI in 10 games) remind you of the September version of Justin Morneau? That’s what I kept thinking while watching Game 1 and seeing the big Phillies first baseman flail away at the plate.

But it’s nice to have teammates to pick you up. In Wednesday’s case Chase Utley, who hit the two-run home that put the Phillies ahead and provided the difference in the 3-2 victory in Game 1.

Of course, it’s easier to have teammates to pick you up when you’re constructed like the Phillies.

Bless “Twins baseball” and all that, but Morneau led the Twins with 23 home runs. Howard had 48 in what can be considered only his third best season in the majors.

Behind Howard, there were five Phillies who combined for 118 home runs, including Utley and Pat Burrell with 33 apiece. Even third baseman Pedro Feliz, brought to Philadelphia (and passed over by the Twins) for his defense, had 14 homers.

Behind Morneau, there were five Twins who combined for 54 homers.

I think I’d trade the eight points in on-base percentage (.340 Twins vs. .332 Phillies) for a couple handfuls of home runs.

Watching the end of 2008, thinking about 2009.

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 am and is filed under Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.