There's no questioning the impact Nick Williams has made in the Phillies' lineup. In 29 games thus far in his blooming Phillies career, the 23-year-old outfielder is making his mark with a .300 average, five homers, seven doubles, three triples and 22 RBIs.
That body of work has led Pete Mackanin to etch Williams' name back into the clean-up spot for today's series finale with the Rockies at Coors Field in Denver. It will mark the third time this season Williams' will bat cleanup.
Williams went 0 for 4 in last night's loss, but had three hits in each of his previous two games - the opener against the Rockies and the finale against the Angels. Three of those six hits were doubles.
Over the last 10 games, Williams, who will start in right field today, is batting .286 with a homer, a triple, three doubles and 7 RBIs.
Daniel Nava, who recorded three hits and 3 RBIs in last night's defeat, will remain in the lineup. Nava, who's hitting .311 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 68 games with the Phils this season, starts at first base today in place of Tommy Joseph. Primarily an outfielder, Nava has 43 games of experience as a first baseman. He has just a single appearance at first for the Phils this year. He'll bat third today.
Hyun Soo Kim is back in the lineup in left, batting seventh. Cameron Rupp is also back, batting eighth and catching Aaron Nola.
Philadelphia Phillies
Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Speaking of Nola, he'll look to continue the roll he's been on recently. In his last eight starts, Nola has gone just 5-3, but he's posted a 1.66 ERA and struck out 63 batters. He has clearly cemented himself as the Phillies' No. 1 starter. It'll be a tall task at hitter-friendly Coors Field against a Rockies team that is second in the league with a .276 batting average and third in the league with 5.32 runs scored per game. Today marks Nola's first start against the Rockies in his career.
He'll be opposed by Rockies righty Jeff Hoffman, who comes in sporting a 6-3 record and 5.38 ERA in 13 starts this season. He's coming off a win over the Mets last week when he tossed six innings of two-run ball. He schooled the Phils earlier this season at Citizens Bank Park, hurling seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball in a win on May 22.
Today's full lineups can be found below:
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Daniel Nava, 1B
4. Nick Williams, RF
5. Odubel Herrera, CF
6. Maikel Franco, 3B
7. Hyun Soo Kim, LF
8. Cameron Rupp, C
9. Aaron Nola, SP
Rockies
1. Charlie Blackmon, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
4. Gerardo Parra, LF
5. Mark Reynolds, 1B
6. Carlos Gonzalez, RF
7. Trevor Story, SS
8. Ryan Hanigan, C
9. Jeff Hoffman, SP
