After sitting four straight games with left knee soreness, Ryan Howard is back in the Phillies' lineup Thursday for their series opener against the Mets at Citi Field.
Howard, who has just 10 games left before his Phillies contract ends, had fluid drained from the knee over the weekend and appears good to go. He bats fifth against Mets right-hander Seth Lugo (see game notes).
In 332 plate appearances this season, Howard has hit .193 with 22 homers, 51 RBIs and 106 strikeouts.
The Phillies' order again begins with Cesar Hernandez, Roman Quinn and Odubel Herrera. All three have gotten on base consistently in September, posting a combined .410 OBP.
1. Cesar Hernandez, 2B
2. Roman Quinn, CF
3. Odubel Herrera (15 for last 29)
4. Maikel Franco, 3B (27 games and 106 PA since last HR)
5. Ryan Howard, 1B
6. Cameron Rupp, C
7. Freddy Galvis, SS
8. Aaron Altherr, RF (hitting .127 with 29 K's in last 63 AB)
9. Adam Morgan, P
And for the Mets:
1. Jose Reyes, 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
4. T.J. Rivera, 2B
5. Curtis Granderson, RF
6. Eric Campbell, 1B
7. Rene Rivera, C
8. Alejandro De Aza, CF
9. Seth Lugo, P