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Game 23 Open Thread: Phillies at Cardinals

Come on, Phillies! Win one for David Buchanan! Or, you know, not.

By Liz Roscher
Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The Phillies and Cardinals are playing an early series finale today as the Phillies hope to win and split the series, or at least not embarrass themselves today. Gotta keep those expectations realistic, right?

Today's Lineups

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Odubel Herrera - CF Jon Jay - CF
Freddy Galvis - SS Matt Carpenter - 3B
Darin Ruf - LF Matt Holliday - LF
Ryan Howard - 1B Matt Adams - 1B
Jeff Francoeur - RF Jason Heyward - RF
Cesar Hernandez - 2B Yadier Molina - C
Cody Asche - 3B Kolten Wong - 2B
Cameron Rupp - C Pete Kozma - SS
David Buchanan - RHP Tim Cooney - LHP

Darin Ruf is giving Ben Revere the day off, Cesar Hernandez is letting Chase Utley spend a day on the bench, and Cameron Rupp is giving Carlos Ruiz's knees a break. David Buchanan is searching for his first win.

Despite Utley and Chooch getting the day off, Ryan Howard is still in the lineup, and he's... HE'S BATTING CLEANUP AGAIN. Considering that Jeff Francoeur, the previous resident at the four-hole, has an average that makes you wonder if he's even using a bat at all or just going up there with a wet noodle every time, this is a positive development.

I know it's been a few days since I've mentioned that Ryne Sandberg is a hellacious tragedy as a manager, but rest assured -- he still is.

Discuss the game in the comments below.

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