Phils bats have gone silent

What is wrong with the NL champs? Only 20 runs in 10 games? They've a few points on team batting average and lost about 2 runs a game since. The Braves have proven to be quite a surprise with the rest of the NL gaining on the Phils coveted second place.Now that Steven Strasburg has hit the majors, I'm sure the Phils are praying they don't face him after his dismantling of the Pirates. Ryan Howard's monstrous HR's are few and far between, Jayson Werth is far from having a huge season, Chase Utley has scattered singles and doubles, but not many HR's lately. Poor Raul Ibanez can't get a hit to have an argument in his favor. Placido Polanco has been getting quite banged up for a thirty-five year old guy this season, so it's hard to stay ina rhythm. Ruiz has never been a prime-time/average contact hitter to argue that he's been hurting them. I credit J-Roll being hurt as a big problem for the team. The bench isn't exactly lighting the field on fire either.

So what to do? In my opinion, Howard is cutting down on his strike-outs, but has to be more aggressive at the plate...maybe crowd it a bit for opposing pitchers to draw walks if he can't get a hit. Utley is some minor adjustments in his swing to get those extra bases. Werth needs to get his mind off the pressure of a new deal, he's flat-out giving away money now. The Phillies shouldn't be in a rush to sign him, nor should he be to. Raul is just an aging mess. Some time in extra BP would do him great to compensate for the loss of bat speed. The bench needs to do something. Castro has been the most productive member in Rollins's absence.

From a manager's stand-point where are the steals and hit and runs? Getting more quality starts and committing less errors would help on the defense side of the ball. The Phils aren't in danger yet of this season slipping away, but they should be taking advantage of the scheduled teams they have coming in under .500.