Tonight's Lineup: Andres Blanco Actually Gets a Start

Andres Blanco lives.

Blanco, who's given the Phillies better and more consistently solid at-bats this season than any player other than Odubel Herrera, bats second and plays second base in Thursday night's series finale against Braves right-hander Aaron Blair.

Blanco is 12 for 37 this season, hitting .324 with five doubles, a triple, a homer and six RBIs. Over the weekend, he hit a pair of doubles that led to the Phillies' two game-winning rallies in Miami.

But the Phils have been hesitant to start him much this season, thinking that overexposure will lead to lesser production from Blanco. It's a bit confusing, because it's not as if the Phillies are getting much offensive production out of the middle infield as it is.

This is just Blanco's second start in the Phillies' last 15 games.

The Phils need all the offensive help they can get after mustering two hits in eight innings last night against mediocre right-hander Williams Perez. The Phillies are just 13 for 65 (.200) in the series and only six of their 68 plate appearances have come with runners in scoring position (see game notes).

1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Andres Blanco, 2B
3. Maikel Franco, 3B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Freddy Galvis, SS
6. Cameron Rupp, C
7. David Lough, LF
8. Vince Velasquez, P
9. Peter Bourjos, RF

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And for the Braves:

1. Nick Markakis, RF
2. Ender Inciarte, LF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Kelly Johnson, 2B
5. A.J. Pierzynski, C
6. Gordon Beckham, 3B
7. Erick Aybar, SS
8. Aaron Blair, P
9. Mallex Smith, CF

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