Despite two straight ugly losses, the Phillies can salvage a split in the four-game series on Thursday afternoon with Cliff Lee on the mound.
Charlie Manuel has been challenged to come up with different lineups through the first 23 games of the season. Thursday's game is no different. With center fielder Ben Revere struggling, Manuel gives Ezequiel Carrera a start.
Meanwhile, Laynce Nix and Kevin Frandsen also pick up a start to give John Mayberry and Michael Young the day off.
Here's how the Phillies line up against right-hander James McDonald and the Pirates:
1. Jimmy Rollins,
SS
2. Kevin Frandsen, 3B
3. Chase Utley,
2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Laynce Nix,
RF
6. Dom Brown, LF
7. Ezequiel Carerra, CF
8. Erik Kratz, C
9. Cliff Lee,
P
Utley is 4 for 6 with a homer and a pair of walks against McDonald. Ryan Howard is 3 for 4 with a homer while Jimmy Rollins is 3 for 9 with a solo homer.
In his career against the Pirates, Lee is 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA in three starts. He has 20 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.
The Pirates lineup:
1. Starling Marte, LF
2. Brandon Inge, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
5. Michael McKenry, C
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
7. Jose Tabata, RF
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. James McDonald, P
Inge has three career homers off Lee and is 16 for 43 (.372) against the Phils' lefty. Inge has also whiffed 15 times against Lee.
im watching on gameday..legit 2b?
Posted by: lorecore | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:17 PM
bap, yeah, you have to wonder whether RAj thought Utley gave them any "production" that inning.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:17 PM
lorecore: It was better than legit. It was PRODUCTIVE.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:21 PM
This is actually kind of amazing.
After last inning, Dom Brown now has the second-highest OBP in the lineup (behind Utley).
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:22 PM
Man, who's that +defender in right?
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:24 PM
lore-- well placed bloop. Helped that mccutchen dove
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:24 PM
Hmm. Guys with good pitch selection and who walk equals a higher OBP. Someone should teach that to the FO.
Posted by: RedBurb | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:25 PM
"well placed bloop."
He has hit his share of line drives into outs this year. The BABIP Gods owe him a few.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:26 PM
I thought the same, Ron.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:28 PM
RedBurb: Well, before we get too excited, I think the more salient point is that a .321 OBP is good enough for second-best in this lineup.
The offense is really bad.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:28 PM
This is why, as a pitcher, you break for first regardless.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:29 PM
I never thought I'd say it, but I now can say that I like Laynce Nix. I feel like I can expect good results from him since he's done well for himself this year so far. Made some good defensive plays and some key offensive plays... actively glad he's on the team.
Posted by: Muuurgh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:29 PM
Wait, what? Cliff had the green light for some reason? With that "hey! Notice me!" red jacket on?
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:30 PM
cyclic: Since I don't know who Ron Swanson is, I don't really get the joke.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:30 PM
Nix actually has been one of the brighter spots this year.
Now, I'm not sure he's going to better than Jayson Werth, like Philpper claims, but there's certainly no reason to complain about Nix right now.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:30 PM
Jack - Yeah. No on-base abilities in the lineup. But also nice that Brown has a double-digit BB% so that even when he stinks or is unlucky or whatever his deal is he still has an "okay" OBP.
Posted by: Sophist | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:31 PM
Jack - An offense that has a bunch of guys in it that have no pitch selection and don't walk. Not saying .321 OBP is good or anything, just saying that if you have more of those guys, you don't find yourself in the situations the Phillies have been in this season so far.
Posted by: RedBurb | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:31 PM
Really?
Posted by: Brooklyn Phillies | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:32 PM
McDonald had no clue. Lee had that stolen if his infielders didn't get his attention.
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:33 PM
Sophist and RedBurb, I agree with you both.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:34 PM
Sil: Agreed. Hard not to notice when the guy in a bright red windbreaker is busting down the line.
Also: Blargh.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Brooklyn Phillies - Not only that, he was roundly applauded as he returned to the dugout following the ridiculously idiotic move.
Posted by: quincy.mcneal | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:35 PM
Clout thinks Cliff Lee is now to blame if we don't win this game.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:35 PM
gaby snachez is horrible, wtf.
Posted by: lorecore | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:36 PM
If I had to guess, I would say it was a hit and run, and he mistook McDonald's movement as motion towards the plate.
Presumably to avoid the inevitable Rollins GiDP.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:36 PM
bap, aka Ron-- don't worry. You're perfect... Even if you don't watch Parks & Rec.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:36 PM
This is starting to feel like a ...
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:37 PM
...2013 Phillies game?
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:37 PM
Are the ball and strike calls as bad as they appear on Gameday? Appears the home plate ump is suboptimal...
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:37 PM
The 2013 Phillies are sub-optimal.
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:39 PM
Can't wait until our bullpen gets to show their stuff in this one.
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:41 PM
Cliff at 95 pitches. I think you have to keep him out there for the 7th.
Posted by: SLO Phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:41 PM
Fugger Adams and Horst unavailable. So... Durbin, Valdes, Bastardo, and Paps if we hit a closing situation?
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:42 PM
*Figger, that should read figger.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:42 PM
Fugger seems oddly appropriate as well
Posted by: Steve | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:45 PM
At least you messed up the second letter and not the first, 'buster...
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:46 PM
Eh. Adams hasn't done enough to deserve the appellation.
Heck, really, none of the BP arms have. Although Valdes and Durbin are getting pretty close.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:46 PM
A walk from Frandsen is a rare event. RAJ must be seething.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:46 PM
And, lookie here, Frandsen actually will take a walk when given pitches outside the strike zone. Wow!
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:47 PM
leadoff walk with a RHP on mound vs Utley/Howard/Nix...c'mon fellas.
Posted by: lorecore | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:47 PM
Utley is a level above everyone else on this team right now.
Maybe two levels.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:49 PM
TMac made it sound like that play at third was going to be a hell of a lot closer than it actually was.
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
A tiring RH starter as well...
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
If I'm Hurdle, I put my loogy in right here and now.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
"A walk from Frandsen is a rare event. RAJ must be seething."
That, or looking for someone's cornflakes to piss in.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
Oh no. They have us right where they want us...
Posted by: Cyclic | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
The dreaded 1st and 3rd with no outs trap; they've got us right where they want us...
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:50 PM
Well, Chase needs to steal to stay out of the GIDP.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:51 PM
The Pirates shouldn't overthink this. The Phillies will find a way to avoid scoring.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:51 PM
Man on third, nobody out, the 4-5-6 batters coming up...I'm going out for a smoke.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:51 PM
Nice, Cyclic...
Posted by: The Perils of Thinking | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:51 PM
Third time's a charm for 1st and 3rd, no outs?
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:51 PM
That's how.
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:52 PM
The ol' getting the Phils to 1st and 3rd with no one out trick...
Posted by: Muuurgh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:52 PM
Ok, Ryan.
If he wants to walk you, take it!
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:52 PM
"Well, Chase needs to steal to stay out of the GIDP."
Done. Now what can he do to take us out of back-to-back Ks?
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:52 PM
Iron Boot does not take Walks. Iron Boot is a Productive Ball Player, not some Walking Loser.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:53 PM
C'mon Phils. I need a W for Lee for my fantasy team.
Posted by: Dickie Thong | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:53 PM
Here comes the slop - showed him one FB
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:53 PM
The key is you have to really believe it.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
Hey, lookit all that production there.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
YooHoo Jack? You there?
Posted by: Albert Ross | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
Your fantasy league still goes by Ws for pitchers? We go by Quality Starts. Much better for a fantasy league.
Posted by: RedBurb | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
Hoo ha! Iron Boot Produces!
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
OMG, OMG, OMG...
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:54 PM
Now they're bringing in the lefty.
Brilliant managing.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Howard getting no respect, that's a clear LOOGY situation. I'll take it, though.
Production!
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Production! Again, however, discounted by the fact that it was partly attributable to a walk.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Lovely, but how does Utley stay on third? I know the answer, but...
No outs. I get it, but...
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:55 PM
Yeah, that's some Charlie Manuel level managing right there...
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
Mainerob: Because they don't want to make the first out of an inning at the plate three games in a row.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
Wow, a little late with the LOOGY.
Still, the Phillies are in that pesky first and third with no one out situation that has vexed them all season.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
So does UC counter with Mayberry?
Posted by: RedBurb | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
Now they're bringing in the lefty.
Brilliant managing.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:55 PM
I think Hurdle actually figured he didn't need to bring in a lefty to face Howard there; let's face it, like us, Hurdle probably expected him to strike out on any old slop.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
Yeah, that was some seriously bad decision-making by Hurdle. Should have brought in the LOOGY as soon as Utley came up.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:56 PM
Kliff Lee must be amazed he's gotten so much run support today!
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:57 PM
So Utley and Howard are up, and you leave the righty in.
Then you bring the lefty in for Nix, when we can bring in Mayberry?
What on earth kind of managing is that?
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:57 PM
Howard shooting for that .300 BA, no walks and a .450 SLG.
The "new" Howard.
I kid, I still think it will be more like .250 with more HRs
Posted by: johnnysanz3 | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:57 PM
Good one, Phillibuster. Also, Hurdle pulled a UC by saving his LOOGY for Nix. He didn't get his LOOGY warmed up in time to face Howard.
Sounds eerily like UC, doesn't it?
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:58 PM
Ha. Jack couldn't contain his disgust at Howard getting a hit.
Posted by: clout | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:58 PM
Mayberry looking to boost his LOB numbers again.
Posted by: Allen Thornberg | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
WTF didn't Utley slide? Damn.
Posted by: awh | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
What's the record for # of outs made at home in a season? In a week?
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
Nevermind. They just wanted to make it more dramatic.
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
Broken g'damn record.
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
MOTHERF*CKINGSONUVABITCH!
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 02:59 PM
mayberry is 1-4 this year on scoring a man from 3rd lt 2 outs. He's actually 30% for his career, which might be one the worst % in the MLB.
Posted by: lorecore | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:00 PM
Clout: Offense has scored 2 runs.
More than enough, right?
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:00 PM
Idk, I mean in hindsight, yes. But not many managers are taking a guy out in the 6th inning at 80 pitches who only gave up 1 run on 3 hits, and walked the first guy of the inning.
Maybe after Utley its more likely though.
Posted by: johnnysanz3 | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:00 PM
3 straight games with a a runner thrown out at home on a FC in a non-force situation? That's some pretty impressive stuff.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:00 PM
Pit is asking for the Phils to blow this game open...
Posted by: SLO Phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:01 PM
OMG, Phillibuster. Third game in a row that the runner on third has been thrown out at the plate. Unbelievable. Actually, not really with this team.
And, btw, Mayberry's average is taking its annual dip for those who still think he's got anything left. He is who he is.
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:01 PM
Chase, ya gotta wait until the 3B throws to 2B before you break for home.
Posted by: Jimmy Rollins | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:01 PM
At least it wasn't a DP this time.
Posted by: Sil Campusano | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:01 PM
Dom with some PRODUCTION.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:02 PM
Sac flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~
(Read that in the voice of Trolololo guy)
Posted by: Phillibuster | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:02 PM
Dom is all about production today.
Posted by: bay_area_phan | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:02 PM
Does that qualify as "production?"
Posted by: Willard Preacher | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:02 PM
Good insight, Jimmy
Posted by: mainerob | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:03 PM
And Howard tried his best to piss all over that one, too. This team is brain dead.
Posted by: GTown_Dave | Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 03:03 PM