Pretty quiet down at the ballyard this morning.

So I spent some time checking out the tweets, and happened upon this: Sergei Bobrovsky was given a "maintenance day" by those Philadelphia Flyers.

What does this got to do with baseball? Fair question. I'm not even sure.

Actually, it got me thinking about the Phillies lineup.

Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco and Ryan Howard are in the lineup for today's game; all three have started all 17 games this season. Raul Ibanez is out of the lineup today, the first time after 16 straight starts.

It's understandable Charlie Manuel isn't going to rest his best offensive weapons when he's in desperate need to see some offense. But is it also counterproductive to play his main guys every day?



While Polanco's bat has stayed hot (9-for-24 in his last six games), both Howard and Rollins have struggled during the Phils current offensive cold spell. Rollins is hitting .174 (4-for-23) in his last six games, Howard is 3-for-21 (.143) with seven Ks in the same span.

It's also worth noting that all three guys who have played in every game - Rollins, Howard and Polanco - missed time with injuries last season.

Look, this is nothing new. Manuel plays his regular players more than any manager in baseball, it's something he's done nearly every season.

But none of these players are getting any younger. Perhaps a day off could do a body good.

Also interesting: Carlos Ruiz has caught all three games of this series, including today, a day game following a night game. He's started nine straight games.

Brian Schneider has appeared in just three games this season, and has started twice in the Phils 17 games.

Manuel briefly spoke to Schneider Wednesday, and I'm guessing the backup backstop will be in the lineup tomorrow against San Diego right-hander Mat Latos.

It'll be interesting to see if Rollins, Howard or Polanco get a day off sometime in the seven-day west coast trip, too. But don't hold your breath waiting for it.