With the Phillies looking for a series split in their Thursday matinee against the Marlins, manager Pete Mackanin isn't making any changes to the top half of the order.
In the first three games of the series, the Phillies have lit up the scoreboard for a combined 20 runs on 27 hits, with a good portion of that production coming from the top and middle of the order.
In Wednesday's 8-0 win over Miami, the No. 1 through No. 5 hitters -Cesar Hernandez, Freddy Galvis, Nick Williams, Rhys Hoskins and Tommy Joseph- accounted for eight hits, seven runs and seven RBIs. That part of the lineup remains exactly the same for Thursday's matchup with the Marlins.
There are changes in the back of the lineup though, as Hyun Soo Kim gets the start in right field and bats sixth, pushing Maikel Franco to No. 7 in the order. Franco's grim 2017 campaign has reached a new rock bottom in the month of August, with the third baseman slashing .195/.221/.305 with one home run and five RBIs across 82 at bats.
Behind the plate, Cameron Rupp replaces Jorge Alfaro and will bat eighth in the order. With Alfaro pushing for more time behind the plate, Rupp has struggled at the plate in the month of August after a strong July performance. However, Rupp has homered in each of his last three starts.
Here is the Phillies' full lineup:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Nick Williams, CF
4. Rhys Hoskins, LF
5. Tommy Joseph, 1B
6. Hyun Soo Kim, RF
7. Maikel Franco, 3B
8. Cameron Rupp, C
9. Jake Thompson, P
And for the Marlins:
1. Miguel Rojas, SS
2. Giancarlo Stanton, RF
3. Christian Yelich, CF
4. Marcell Ozuna, LF
5. J.T. Realmuto, 1B
6. Derek Dietrich, 3B
7. A.J. Ellis, C
8. Mike Aviles, 2B
9. Vance Worley, P
