What do you get when you mix a 12-mph gust to center with Citzens Bank Park? Roughly 24 on 26 hits, including 7 HR and 2 grand slams.
Just your typical night in Philly.
Let's look at some of the movers and shakers in last night's 13-11 Philadelphia victory.
Ryan Howard: Always a slow starter (last year, I trade him for Derek Lee a month into the season and there was an outcry that I was getting ripped off), Howard seems to be hitting his groove a bit earlier with his 4th HR and 15 RBI (after last night's grand salami). The window to buy low isn't slammed shut, but expect to pay closer to retail to get him now. With 47 and 48 HR the past two years, 50 and 150 isn't out of the question, especially in a re-loaded Phillies lineup that is averaging 6.2 runs a game.
Raul Ibanez: This guy just keeps hitting the ball. Earlier this year, he was swapped in one of my leagues for Dice-K straight-up and a couple owners raised an eye brow, thinking Ibanez wasn't fair value. But with 6 HR, 16 RBI and a .342 average, it's becoming clear that Ibanez's move to Philadelphia has increased his worth and we may be getting returns of the 2006 Ibanez (33-123-.289).
Adam Dunn: The move to Washington seems to be fitting Dunn swimmingly, launching his 5th HR and plating RBIs 13 and 14 last night. You know exactly what Dunn is: 40 HR, 100 RBI, .245. It might be a good time to sell high with his .311 average. But the good news is (for Dunn owners), the move out of the small Cincy park doesn't seem to diminish his value.
Ryan Zimmerman: Asked who hits a longer ball between him, Dunn and Elijah Dukes, Zim could only tip his cap to the other two, but last night's 457-foot bomb shows there's a lot of moxie in the 24-year-old's bat. That's right, he's still just a kid and the promising power numbers are just getting started. Look for 28-30 bombs this year, if he stays healthy and 100 RBI is a good bet. Hitting ahead of Dunn will definitely improve his diet of steady fastballs.
Elijah Dukes: The big question for Dukes' owners is how much will Elijah run. Hitting fifth, he's in a surprisingly good spot. With 3 attempts already, Dukes is showing 20-SB potential (although he's only been successful one time). There's gobs of talent here. With 2 HR and 13 RBI already, there's 25-100 potential. This year. But the real question with Dukes, still 24, is where his head will be. Disciplined once for being 5 minutes late to a team meeting, because he was making an appearance at a local little league parade, the Nats are playing hardball with Dukes, who has had plenty of off-season trouble. A good guy to trade for, as his value (and checkered past) makes him still a buy-low candidate. But do it quick before those steals start rolling in.
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