The Phillies will go with a right-handed heavy lineup in Sunday afternoon's series rubber match against the Nationals in the nation's capital (see game notes).
And the reason for that is simple: lefty Gio Gonzalez opposes Phillies starter, Jerad Eickhoff.
Daniel Nava, a switch-hitter, will get the start in right and Aaron Altherr will get the start in center, giving Odubel Herrera his first day off the young season. Herrera is 3 for 11 with two walks in his career vs. Gonzalez.
In an interesting move, Phils manager Pete Mackanin is giving Brock Stassi, a lefty, the start in left field. It marks Stassi's first major-league start in the outfield as his previous starts came at first in place of Tommy Joseph. Sunday will mark the first time Stassi and Joseph are in the lineup at the same time. Stassi's start means Howie Kendrick gets the day off as well.
With a brand-new outfield from Saturday's game, there are a handful of shifts in Sunday's lineup.
Sunday's full lineups can be found below:
Phillies
1. Cesar Hernandez 2B
2. Daniel Nava RF
3. Maikel Franco 3B
4. Tommy Joseph 1B
5. Cameron Rupp C
6. Aaron Altherr CF
7. Brock Stassi LF
8. Freddy Galvis 2B
9. Jerad Eickhoff P
MLB
Nationals
1. Adam Eaton CF
2. Anthony Rendon 3B
3. Bryce Harper RF
4. Daniel Murphy 2B
5. Adam Lind 1B
6. Jayson Werth LF
7. Matt Wieters C
8. Wilmer Difo SS
9. Gio Gonzalez P