/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60557321/20140517_ajl_se7_066.JPG.0.0.0.jpg)
After suffering two straight shutout losses and a 23-inning scoreless streak, the Phillies exploded in a big way on Saturday night, pounding the Cincinnati Reds 12-1. Two of the younger Phils who have struggled so badly this year, Cody Asche and Domonic Brown, had big nights.
Both are back in the lineup for the rubber match this afternoon at 1:35pm ET at Citizens Bank Park with Asche in the 6-hole and Brown hitting 7th, while Ben Revere is out of the starting lineup for the third straight game, replaced by John Mayberry, who will be batting 8th. And Carlos Ruiz gets the day-game off after a night game, with Wil Nieves batting 2nd in his place.
My guess is Wil Nieves has never batted second in his life.
The new Phils lineup will face 24-year-old left-hander Tony Cingrani, who is making his first start since coming off the disabled list with tendinitis in his left shoulder. On the hill for the Phils will be the team's ace, Cliff Lee, who is winless in his last four starts, despite giving up no earned runs to the Angels in his last start (the Cody Asche three-error game).
History would seem to be on the side of the Phillies this afternoon. First, the pitching match-up is in their favor. And second, the Reds have not won a series at Citizens Bank Park since August 2006.
Here are today's lineups.