In the rubber match of the Phillies' series against the defending World Series champion Royals, Pete Mackanin has changed up his lineup yet again.
Tommy Joseph appeared to take the starting first-base job for good, but his recent struggles have prompted Mackanin to use Ryan Howard more. Joseph is 7 for his last 65 (.108). Howard gets the start against flame-throwing righty Yordano Ventura. Of course hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire. He's hitting just .148 this season, including an 0 for 3 performance with two strikeouts in his last start.
Cody Asche and Cameron Rupp -- who have both been raking -- will be back in the lineup. Asche is hitting .346 (18 for 52) with 10 doubles and nine RBIs in his last 16 games (12 starts). He'll bat third for third time this season. He's 4 for 8 with four runs batted in from that spot.
Rupp, who will bat fifth, has heated up along with the weather, in his last 27 games, Rupp is hitting .320 (32 for 100) with six homers and 10 RBIs.
Here is today's lineup:
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Peter Bourjus, RF
3. Cody Asche, LF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B
5. Cameron Rupp, C
6. Ryan Howard, 1B
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
9. Vince Velasquez, P
