Before Rhys Hoskins burst onto the scene and started smashing baseballs over fences at an astronomical rate, Aaron Altherr was the Phillies' most consistent hitter this season.
This afternoon, in the series finale against the Athletics at Citizens Bank Park, Altherr slides back into the clean-up spot for just the third time this season.
Altherr, who didn't start in last night's rain-soaked victory but did come in at the start of the eighth inning as a defensive replacement, is batting .278 on the season with 16 homers and 51 RBIs. In his seven plate appearances from the clean-up spot this season, Altherr has two homers and five RBIs. He'll start in center today.
Hoskins, who's called the clean-up spot home in recent weeks, slides up to third in order today. Hoskins, who's batting .298 with 18 homers and 39 RBIs in 36 games this season, has been held hitless so far in this series by Oakland pitching. He's reached base just once in the last two games as he was intentionally walked last night. He'll start in left field this afternoon.
J.P. Crawford moves up into the two-hole for the first time today for manager Pete Mackanin. It's a big move up the lineup for Crawford, who has yet to bat above seventh in the order. And the move is deserved for Crawford, who came through with two hits and two RBIs last night. He's now riding a six-game hitting streak and has hit .381 with three doubles in that span. He's hit safely in eight of his 11 games with the Phils. He'll start at short today as Freddy Galvis gets the day off.
Both teams' full lineups can be found below:
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. J.P. Crawford, SS
3. Rhys Hoskins, LF
4. Aaron Altherr, CF
5. Nick Williams, RF
6. Maikel Franco, 3B
7. Tommy Joseph, 1B
8. Cameron Rupp, C
9. Henderson Alvarez, SP
Philadelphia Phillies
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Athletics
1. Marcus Semien, SS
2. Matt Joyce, LF
3. Chad Pinder, RF
4. Matt Olson, 1B
5. Matt Chapman, 3B
6. Mark Canha, CF
7. Joey Wendle, 2B
8. Josh Phegley, C
9. Sean Manaea, SP
