Tonight's Lineup: Ryan Howard Starts Again as Phillies Roll Out Identical Starting 9

After a rare disappointing night in recent weeks for the Phillies (see game story)Pete Mackanin will use the same lineup on Friday night against Rockies righty Jon Gray.

This will be the Phillies' first time facing Gray, the third overall pick in the 2013 draft and the Rockies' most promising pitcher (see game notes).

Ryan Howard, who hit his 369th career homer and 12th for the season Thursday night, gets his second straight start against a righty. Mackanin continues to platoon Howard and Tommy Joseph, perhaps in part because of Joseph's .213 average against right-handed pitching. Howard has just 20 at-bats and two hits against lefties.  

The smoking-hot Maikel Franco stays in the cleanup spot, where he has hit .311 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 90 at-bats. Franco has a .254 average, 11 homers and 34 RBIs in 197 at-bats in the three-hole.

Phillies lineup
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Peter Bourjos, 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

Rockies lineup
1. Charlie Blackmon, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B
4. Carlos Gonzalez, RF
5. Trevor Story, SS
6. Daniel Descalso, LF
7. Mark Reynolds, 1B
8. Nick Hundley, C
9. Jon Gray, P

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