Tommy Joseph makes his return to the lineup when the Phillies continue their series against the Braves today in Game 1 of a single-admission doubleheader. First
Joseph will get the nod at first and bat fifth. It won't be easy against veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. In his career against the Braves' right-hander, Joseph is just 1 for 9 with three strikeouts. Joseph went just 1 of 11 with six punch outs in the series against the Cubs over the weekend.
Joseph's return means that red-hot Rhys Hoskins will return to left field, but will remain in the cleanup spot. Hoskins didn't hit a homer last night, but he did hit a go-ahead RBI double and finished the night 2 for 4. Since connecting for his first big league home run, Hoskins has hit .364 (20 of 55) with a robust .1000 slugging percentage. It'll be interesting to see how the rookie fares against the knuckler (see Corey Seidman's game notes).
The only other change to the lineup will be behind the plate. Fellow rookie Jorge Alfaro will catch Jerad Eickhoff and bat eighth. Alfaro has hit safely in 10 of his 11 starts since being recalled. Even more promising, the free-swinging catcher walked twice in the only game he went hitless. He's 14 of 42 (.333) in 11 games this season.
Here's the rest of today's lineup:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Nick Williams, RF
4. Rhys Hoskins, LF
5. Tommy Joseph, 1B
6. Maikel Franco, 3B
7. Pedro Florimon, CF
8. Jorge Alfaro, C
9. Jerad Eickhoff, P