Phillies back home against another West coast team

Aug 11, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) waits on deck during a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets defeated the Phillies, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies return home Monday night to face the Seattle Mariners after going 1-4 on a West-coast road trip against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and San Francisco Giants.

The Mariners may not be too familiar with Citizen’s Bank Park, but they are familiar with the Phillies starting pitcher.  Jerome Williams will make his second start with his new team after playing in 2014 with two American League West teams, the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers.

Williams started the season as a relief pitcher and he’s appeared in three games against Seattle in a relief role.  In seven innings the right-hander has allowed four Mariners to cross the plate on six hits and three walks.

Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano is 5-for-8 in his career against Williams with a double, home run and three runs batted in.

Left-hander Roenis Elias heads to the mound for Seattle.  Roenis (9-9) has struggled to stay in games long, going six or more innings in just three of his last ten starts.  The 26-year-old Cuban-native is in his rookie season and made his big-league debut on April 3rd.

Another player who has even less service with the Mariners is the recently acquired Austin Jackson.  Jackson, who will lead off and play centerfield Monday, is hitting .242 in 62 at bats with Seattle has five RBIs.

Jimmy Rollins gets a rare day off, his first since June 18th.  The shortstop is hitting just .175 in August.

Andres Blanco will start at shortstop for the Phillies Monday.  Blanco has a .321 average in 18 games in 2014.

Darin Ruf will play leftfield and bat sixth in the Phillies lineup.  Ruf hasn’t seen much time since recently being platooned with Ryan Howard at first base.  The Creighton product has five hits in his last three games including a home run.

Mariners Lineup:

Jackson CF

Ackley LF

Cano 2B

Morales 1B

Seager 3B

Zunino C

Morrison RF

Taylor SS

Elias P

Phillies Lineup

Revere CF

Ruiz C

Utley 2B

Howard 1B

Byrd RF

Ruf LF

Asche 3B

Blanco SS

Williams P