The Phils close out their season-opening series today in Pittsburgh with an Easter matinee as Vance Worley faces James McDonald at PNC Park. The teams split the first two games of the three game set - combining to score just four runs over 19 innings.
Jim Thome, who has not started a game at first base since June 2007, will make his long-awaited season debut. Perhaps Thome can provide a spark to the offense. Worley will also have personal catcher Brian Schneider behind the plate. The rest of Charlie Manuel's lineup, as written in Pete Mackanin's stunning calligraphy, after the jump.
Between Thome and Ty Wigginton there is not a whole lot of athleticism at the corner infield spots. Throw Brian Schneider in there and you've got three quarters of the slowest relay team ever. I can't imagine third base coach Juan Samuel is going to be doing a whole lot other than flashing the stop sign if and when anyone from the bottom of the order gets on base.
With that being said, between Juan Pierre (who will also make his debut), Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins and Hunter Pence the Phils do have the ability to make some things happen with the running game.
As Phils beat writer Ryan Lawrence points out, if the Phillies lose, they'll be under .500 for the first time since April 25, 2009.
[h/t Kevin Cooney for the pic of the lineup card]
Photo Credit: Derick Hingle, US Presswire
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