Known for providing power and not much else, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has put up some curious numbers over his last seven games. Not only has he compiled a .462 batting average on 12 hits, but of those 12 hits, only three are for extra bases, including a homer.
It's as if he's stopped caring how far he hits the ball and just hits it. He basically said as much after Monday night's game against the Nationals.
"I've been trying to put together some good at-bats and let the power come when it comes," Howard said.
Maybe that's just a throwaway explanation for one of the many oddball trends that inevitable result when you reduce 162 games down to just a handful -- in fact, that's probably the case -- but I'm curious to see what comes next. Howard's power numbers aren't up to snuff, but if he's able to compensate with a higher-than-usual batting average, he'll still be a useful corner infielder or utility player in mixed leagues.
Right now, his .274 batting average would be his fourth-best mark for a full season.