Losers of five straight, the Phillies are hoping for a spark from two newcomers.
Daniel Nava will man left field while Aaron Altherr remains sidelined with wrist soreness. Brock Stassi got the start in place of Altherr Saturday and went 0 for 2, but also walked twice.
An impressive spring earned Nava a spot on the roster, and he hasn't slowed down since, hitting .308 with a .974 OPS.
Cameron Rupp will sit after playing in last night's game, giving rookie Andrew Knapp the start behind the plate. Knapp has impressed in the early going, hitting .296, with four of his eight hits on the year going for extra bases.
The rest of the lineup remains largely the same as last night's loss to the Nationals, but with Michael Saunders and Tommy Joseph flip-flopping batting positions in the lineup.
The Phillies will try to salvage a game in the series vs. Tanner Roark, a pitcher they have faced 13 times in his five-year MLB career (see Game Notes). Roark is 5-5 with a 3.49 ERA in his career vs. the Phillies, but has dominated the Phillies recently, giving up just five runs in 41 innings over the last two seasons vs. the Phils.
The Phillies catch a break with Phillie-killer Bryce Harper sitting out a third straight game with a groin injury, while baseball's hottest hitter, Ryan Zimmerman, will also sit for the Nats.
MLB
Here is the Phillies lineup:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Daniel Nava, LF
3. Odubel Herrera, CF
4. Maikel Franco, 3B
5. Michael Saunders, RF
6. Tommy Joseph, 1B
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Andrew Knapp, C
9. Jeremy Hellickson, P
And for the Nationals:
1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Jayson Werth, LF
3. Daniel Murphy, 2B
4. Anthony Rendon, 3B
5. Adam Lind, 1B
6. Chris Heisey, RF
7. Michael A. Taylor, CF
8. Jose Lobaton, C
9. Tanner Roark, P