Maybe Darin Ruf is getting a longer look.
The 28-year-old is starting at first base and hitting cleanup Wednesday night for the second straight game over Ryan Howard (see game notes).
The likely motive behind the decision is that Dodgers lefties have started the last two games, including three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw tonight.
But the fact that Howard has sat two consecutive games against lefties after hitting a three-run home run Monday night suggests the Phillies want to see Ruf and understand the importance of this season serving as audition time.
Ruf went 1 for 4 Tuesday night with a walk. Since his recall, he's 4 for 21 (.190) with a homer and four RBIs in 10 games (three starts). Ruf is 0 for 4 lifetime against Kershaw with three strikeouts.
Odubel Herrera, hitting .433 in his last eight games, gets another start in center field.
Also to note, Domonic Brown is in right field and batting eighth, while Jeff Francoeur starts in left field in favor of the lefty-swinging Cody Asche.
Pettibone update
Jonathan Pettibone will have right shoulder surgery on July 22. The right-hander had shoulder surgery last summer, as well.
The 24-year-old made just two starts in 2014 after making 18 in 2013 as a rookie.
His surgery will be performed by Dr. Craig Morgan.
Here are tonight's lineups:
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Odubel Herrera, CF
3. Maikel Franco, 3B
4. Darin Ruf, 1B
5. Jeff Francoeur, LF
6. Carlos Ruiz, C
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Domonic Brown, RF
9. Adam Morgan, P
Dodgers
1. Yasiel Puig, RF
2. Howie Kendrick, 2B
3. Justin Turner, 3B
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Scott Van Slyke, LF
6. Joc Pederson, CF
7. Jimmy Rollins, SS
8. A.J. Ellis, C
9. Clayton Kershaw, P