Welcome to the Phillies, Hyun Soo Kim.
A day after arriving in Philadelphia as part of the Jeremy Hellickson trade, the Korean outfielder will be in the starting lineup this afternoon against the Braves (12:35 p.m./CSN/CSNPhilly.com), giving rookie Nick Williams the day off. After a promising rookie season in which he hit .302 with a .382 OBP, the 29-year-old Kim has struggled in his second big league season, batting just .232. He’ll hit seventh this afternoon.
Williams has shown plenty of promise to start his career but has gone hitless (0 for 9) in his last two games. Still, the timing is a little surprising since Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz has struggled against left-handed hitters. Lefties are hitting .301 and slugging over 100 points higher than righties (.488 to .378) against Foltynewicz this season.
Speaking of Foltynewicz, the 25-year-old righty has fared well against the Phils this season. In two starts against them, he’s 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA. In his career, he’s 3-1 with a 3.66 ERA in six appearances (five starts) against the Phillies.
Current Phillies have hit just .225 off Foltynewicz. Tommy Joseph (batting cleanup) has had the most success against him, going 3 for 6 with a homer. Maikel Franco, who will bat sixth today, has also tagged Foltynewicz for a homer (3 for 10). Aaron Altherr is 1 for 5 with four strikeouts against him. Altherr will bat third.
Here is the rest of the Phillies’ lineup:
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Freddy Galvis, SS
3. Aaron Altherr, RF
4. Tommy Joseph, 1B
5. Odubel Herrera, CF
6. Maikel Franco, 3B
7. Hyun Soo Kim, LF
8. Andrew Knapp, C
9. Nick Pivetta, P
And here’s how the Braves will line up against Pivetta:
1. Ender Inciarte, CF
2. Brandon Phillips, 2B
3. Freddie Freeman, 3B
4. Matt Adams, 1B
5. Nick Markakis, RF
6. Kurt Suzuki, C
7. Danny Santana, LF
8. Johan Camargo, SS
9. Mike Foltynewicz, P