Howard: Shifts take away '30, 40, 50 hits a year'

Ryan Howard is a creature of habit, and he doesn't run very well.

The Philadelphia Phillies slugger knows that the combination of those two make for a difficult scenario. Howard is always faced with a heavy shift to the right side of the infield because, as a left-handed hitter, he pulls the ball more often than not.

"(Shifts) take away 30, 40, 50 hits a year,” he said, according Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, pointing out that his lack of speed doesn't aid the matter. "That’s definitely something that would help me out."

Howard is a pull-happy hitter, which is why defenses play him in the above shift every time he comes to bat. When he hits ground balls, the vast majority of them are to the right side.

This season, Howard is struggling to the tune of a .194/.248/.433 slash line with 20 home runs and 46 RBIs in 98 games coming into Thursday's matchup against the Washington Nationals.

Playing in the National League for the entirety of his 13-year career, the 36-year-old has found himself tailored to more of a designated hitter role.

A free agent this offseason, Howard doesn't see himself retiring any time soon. Instead, he wants an opportunity to finish his career with a bang.

"That’s the goal. There never was a doubt about it," Howard said. "I’m open to whatever opportunity there might be. I’ve got to try to finish up strong and see about playing somewhere next year."