After yesterday’s injury scare and early exit, all looks well and truly precautionary for Michael Harris II. And thank goodness, because he has been an absolute machine at the plate and is rocking a streak of at least 1 RBI in five straight games.
How and when did this torrid stretch begin? Five games ago was when he was a menace on Sunday Night Baseball, where he tallied a homer, two singles and a walk against tonight’s starter Andrew Painter and the relievers that followed. Stay hot with that paternal excellence, Money Mike!
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Michael and his hopefully-normal left quad will not only be in his usual spot in center, he’s moving on up in the order and will bat fifth tonight. Sandwiching him on either side will be Ozzie Albies (in the cleanup spot) and Austin Riley (in sixth, the lowest spot we’ve seen him in this season).
Speaking of Riley… he’s sitting on 499 career RBI. How do we think he’ll drive in #500?
The Phillies have made some roster changes since we saw them. Catcher JT Realmuto officially hit the IL with back spasms, making Rafael Marchán their primary catcher. They tried it one last time with Taijuan Walker, but even after using an opener his last outing, he struggled and they released him. And making the trip with the team is Zack Wheeler, who will make his season debut tomorrow night.
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Their lineup is only slightly different from the last time they were behind Andrew Painter (more on the pitching matchup here). Garrett Stubbs will make his second start at catcher since being recalled and bat ninth. Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm will swap to bat sixth and seventh, respectively.
Grant’s World Series might be retiring Bryce Harper in any form (Harper has one hit and three walks to make his OPS vs Holmes start with a 2). But Adolis García is also a formidable matchup. Although the Phillies fell to the Cubs in extras yesterday, García did make things interesting with a pinch-hit game-tying home run in the top of the ninth.
A fun note from the Braves comms team… The Braves have not won four straight over the Phillies to open a season since 2007. Could be a nice night for it.
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