As long as the Phillies keep winning, they're going to continue to bat the pitcher eighth.
Since manager Pete Mackanin started batting his pitchers eighth and a corner outfielder ninth, the Phils are 9-1. It's been more correlation than causation, but Mackanin isn't going to mess with the vibe of the lineup for now.
"Partly superstition, the fact that we've been winning with the pitcher hitting eighth, why would I change?" Mackanin said in this week's edition of Phillies Clubhouse.
"It just seems to be working out. Once Peter Bourjos starts hitting the ball with more authority and being more consistent and/or whoever the eighth hitter might be, I probably won't do that, especially if we lose a couple games, I might go back to the traditional format. But it just makes sense to me right now the way it lines up."
Bourjos again bats ninth, a spot after pitcher Jeremy Hellickson. Carlos Ruiz is behind the plate and bats fifth against Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright (see game notes).
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Maikel Franco, 3B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B (.341 BA, 11 HR, 39 RBI in 156 PA in St. Louis)
5. Carlos Ruiz, C
6. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
7. David Lough, LF
8. Jeremy Hellickson, P
9. Peter Bourjos, P
And for the Cardinals:
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1. Matt Carpenter, 3B
2. Stephen Piscotty, CF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Brandon Moss, RF
5. Yadier Molina, C (.327 BA vs. Phillies is highest vs. any team)
6. Matt Adams, 1B
7. Aledyms Diaz, SS (2nd in MLB with .405 batting average)
8. Kolten Wong, 2B
9. Adam Wainwright, P
