Today's lineup: Herrera sits vs. lefty, Altherr starts in center

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A day after talking about wanting to play Aaron Altherr more in center field, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin is starting him there for the fourth time this season Wednesday afternoon.

Mackanin said Tuesday that he might start using Altherr in center and moving Odubel Herrera to one of the corner outfield spots (see story). We'll have to wait at least a couple more days to see that alignment, as Herrera is on the bench for the series finale against the Dodgers. 

So far, each of Altherr's four starts in center field have come with Herrera on the bench against a left-handed starting pitcher.

Given Dodgers lefty Scott Kazmir's stellar numbers against left-handed hitters (see game notes) and Herrera's .225 season average vs. lefties, the decision to sit Herrera makes sense. 

Right-handed hitting Tyler Goeddel and Jimmy Paredes are both in the lineup. Goeddel and Paredes, hitting .201 and .215 respectively, play sparingly and could see their ABs cut even more in September, when minor-league outfielders Nick Williams and Roman Quinn could get called up. 

Carlos Ruiz starts in place of Cameron Rupp for the first time this series. He had three hits in his last start Sunday in San Diego. 

Ruiz (1 for 3) and Freddy Galvis (1 for 4) are the only players in the lineup with any prior at-bats against Kazmir. 

Here are the full lineups for both teams:

Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Aaron Altherr, CF
3. Maikel Franco, 3B
4. Tommy Joseph, 1B
5. Carlos Ruiz, C
6. Jimmy Paredes, RF
7. Tyler Goeddel, LF
8. Freddy Galvis, SS
9. Jeremy Hellickson, P

Dodgers
1. Chase Utley, 2B
2. Josh Reddick, RF
3. Corey Seager, SS
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Yasmani Grandal, C
6. Joc Pederson, CF
7. Howie Kendrick, LF
8. Rob Segedin, 3B
9. Scott Kazmir, P

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