The Phillies decided to repeat Monday's opening day lineup for their home opener against the Nationals.
Despite Tommy Joseph's struggles in the Phillies' opening series with the Reds, manager Pete Mackanin kept Joseph at first base, batting sixth, for the Phillies' duel with Max Scherzer on Friday afternoon (see game notes).
The only change from Monday's lineup, of course, is that Vince Velasquez will be pitching and batting ninth instead of Jeremy Hellickson. Velasquez will be making his season debut vs. a stout Nationals lineup. The third-year starter was strong over 131 innings last season and his best start came in his Citizens Bank Park debut last April 14, when he struck out 16 in a complete game shutout.
Of today's starters for the Phillies, only Cameron Rupp has a career home run off Scherzer. Both Cesar Hernandez and Odubel Herrera have seven hits off the 2016 National League Cy Young winner while Andres Blanco, on the bench Friday, is 5 for 14 against him with a double and a home run.
Here's the full lineup.
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Howie Kendrick, 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
