Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is changing things up after his team's 7-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday night (see game story).
And no, that doesn't mean he's abandoning the platoon at first base.
Ryan Howard remains in the lineup Saturday afternoon — weather permitting — against the Atlanta Braves in the second game of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Instead, Mackanin has opted to give Cesar Hernandez the day off at second base, inserting Andres Blanco at second and batting the 32-year-old third ahead of Maikel Franco.
Blanco is hitting .298 with one home run and seven RBIs through 30 games this season. He's hitting .333 at CBP and .273 in 11 at-bats hitting in the three-spot.
The utility extraordinaire has one hit in three career at-bats against Braves starter Williams Perez, who's searching for his second win of the season.
Other changes include Freddy Galvis moving from the six hole up to second, Carlos Ruiz getting the start behind the plate and batting sixth and David Lough getting the nod in right field and hitting ninth. Adam Morgan (1-1, 6.41) gets the start for the Phils.
Philadelphia Phillies
Complete coverage of the Fightin' Phils and their MLB rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Here is the Phillies' full lineup:
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Andres Blanco, 2B
4. Maikel Franco, 1B
5. Ryan Howard, 1B
6. Carlos Ruiz, C
7. Tyler Goeddel, LF
8. Adam Morgan, P
9. David Lough, RF
