Aaron Altherr, who has just 13 at-bats through the Phillies' first 13 games, gets a rare start in left field for the Phillies Wednesday night at Citi Field (see game notes).
With Howie Kendrick on the 10-day DL, Altherr should get some playing time over the next week. He came through in the 10th inning Tuesday with an RBI single to put the Phillies up two runs -- Altherr's first career pinch-hit.
Altherr has more power than Kendrick and is a much better defender but there's also more swing-and-miss in his game.
Still, he has more of a future with the Phillies than Kendrick, Michael Saunders and Daniel Nava, so it has been a bit strange to see Altherr play so sparingly in early April.
The rest of the Phils' lineup against Mets right-hander Robert Gsellman has the usual look:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Aaron Altherr, LF
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B
5. Michael Saunders, RF
6. Tommy Joseph, 1B
7. Cameron Rupp, C
8. Freddy Galvis, SS
9. Vince Velasquez, P
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And for the Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
4. Jay Bruce, RF
5. Neil Walker, 2B
6. Lucas Duda, 1B
7. Jose Reyes, 3B
8. Travis d'Arnaud, C
9. Robert Gsellman, P
