Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco are a combined 6 for 43 (.140) off Bartolo Colon, but the Phillies are using their regular 3-4 tandem Friday night against the Braves.
Colon, 10-3 with a 3.01 ERA against the Phillies from 2014-16, has given both fits, particularly Franco (see story).
But the Phillies are riding some momentum into Friday night's game after scoring five runs off Mets ace Noah Syndergaard last night.
Now comes Colon, who throws about 10 mph slower but paints the outside corner with his fastball and sinker better than just about anyone (see game notes).
Franco broke out of a career-worst 0-for-22 slump last night with a rocket double off Syndergaard and an insurance home run off mediocre reliever Fernando Salas. The Phillies are hoping his .172 batting average continues to climb. It's early enough in the season that a 3-for-5 night would get him over .200.
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Aaron Altherr, LF
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B
5. Michael Saunders, RF
6. Tommy Joseph, 1B
7. Cameron Rupp, C
8. Freddy Galvis, SS
9. Jeremy Hellickson, P
