ARLINGTON, Texas — A day after one of the most prodigious Opening Days in the 132-year history of the franchise, the Phillies’ aging lineup again made observers wonder if it can score enough runs to stay competitive.
Concern over Philadelphia’s run production began a season ago and only continued through spring training, when the team struggled to push runners across the plate.
The Phillies followed up a 14-run, 17-hit attack on Opening Day with a modified lineup, moving first baseman Ryan Howard out of the cleanup spot for the first time in almost six years and inserting left fielder John Mayberry and third baseman Jayson Nix. Howard has struggled against lefties the past two seasons.
Philadelphia, though, scored only twice, both in a sixth inning that could have been much bigger, in a 3-2 loss to the Rangers. “When I continued to look at the potential of the lineup in the spring training games, speed at the top of the order and hitting together as a group … the potential is there,” manager Ryne Sandberg said on Monday.
They say hitting is contagious. Sandberg hopes his offense — whatever the lineup might turn out to be — goes viral.