It took until May 22 to do it, but the Phillie's Ryan Howard finally got his batting average over the .200 mark. He has been red hot of late, homering six times over his past nine games. Howard started slow last season, but stil managed to put up the power numbers we all have come to expect from the former NL MVP.

Over the past 14 days the slugger is batting .307 with 7 HR's and 14 RBI's. The problem continues to be strikeouts though. He leads the majors in 71 whiffs in 179 at bats and if you are in a league where strikeouts count against you, Howard's value takes a dip.

In 2005 Howard batted .313, but last year that number dropped to .268. It's hard to imagine that he will ever hit above .300 again, but there is no reason not to expect a vast improvement over his .207 average.

With Chase Utley hitting in front of him and the power-hitting Pat Burrell batting behind Howard in the order, you better believe the Phillies' clean-up hitter is going to continue to get pitches to hit and have plenty opportunities to drive in runs.