If it worked well on Saturday, why change too much today?
Judging by the lineup Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is putting out for this afternoon's rubber match with the Reds at Citizens Bank Park (see game notes), that could be the way he's thinking.
He's going with the same lineup from Saturday's 4-3 win, save for Andrew Knapp replacing Cameron Rupp behind the plate. Knapp is batting .265 with two homers so far this season.
With the way the Phils have struggled to put anything together offensively from game to game and even sometimes from inning to inning, a consistent lineup could be key to the Phillies pulling out of the rut they are in.
In Saturday's win, they mashed three homers courtesy of Cesar Hernandez, Michael Saunders and Tommy Joseph. That's obviously more of what Mackanin is looking for. Prior to Saturday's victory, the Phillies had been held to three hits four times over the previous six games.
The Phils have a chance to get some momentum going as they'll face Reds starter Scott Feldman, whom they tagged on opening day in Cincinnati for three runs (including two home runs) over 4 2/3 frames.
Philadelphia Phillies
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One note on the Cincinnati side of things -- speedster Billy Hamilton is out of the Reds' starting lineup today.
Full lineups for Sunday's contest can be found below:
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez 2B
2. Odubel Herrera CF
3. Aaron Altherr LF
4. Tommy Joseph 1B
5. Michael Saunders RF
6. Maikel Franco 3B
7. Andrew Knapp C
8. Freddy Galvis SS
9. Zach Eflin SP
Reds
1. Jose Peraza 2B
2. Zack Cosart SS
3. Joey Votto 1B
4. Adam Duvall LF
5. Eugenio Suarez 3B
6. Scott Schebler RF
7. Patrick Kivlehan CF
8. Tucker Barnhart C
9. Scott Feldman SP
