The Phillies have two extra left-handed bats in Thursday's lineup against the nearly-impossible-to-hit Noah Syndergaard.
Daniel Nava bats second and plays left field for the third time in four games.
Andrew Knapp is behind the plate to catch Aaron Nola.
The Phillies could have gotten yet another lefty in the lineup by starting Brock Stassi against Syndergaard, but instead, Tommy Joseph remains in the lineup. It will be interesting to see how Joseph fares -- he's been late on fastballs most of the month.
Syndergaard has allowed just three extra-base hits in three starts this season, all to lefties (see game notes).
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Daniel Nava, LF
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B (2 for 19, .105 BA with RISP)
5. Michael Saunders, RF
6. Tommy Joseph, C
7. Freddy Galvis, SS (3 for 9, two homers and a double vs. Syndergaard)
8. Andrew Knapp, C
9. Aaron Nola, P
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And for the Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson, RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
4. Jay Bruce, 1B (8 HR, 22 RBI vs. Phillies since 2016)
5. Neil Walker, 2B
6. Michael Conforto, CF
7. Jose Reyes, 3B
8. Noah Syndergaard, P
9. Rene Rivera, C
Syndergaard, as you'll notice, bats eighth. He's no slouch at the plate and Nola must be careful. Syndergaard is a .206 career hitter with four home runs and four doubles in 125 plate appearances. He's 2 for 6 this season with a walk and three strikeouts.
