Philadelphia Phillies looking to sweep Atlanta Braves behind David Buchanan

The Philadelphia Phillies will look to sweep the Atlanta Braves in a matinee at Turner Field behind the arm of David Buchanan, facing off against Ervin Santana.

Last night, a fantastic pitching performance by Kyle Kendrick was backed by a solo home run from Carlos Ruiz and a first Major League RBI for Maikel Franco, as the Phillies eventually defeated the Braves 4-0.

Today, David Buchanan (6-7, 4.03) will be looking to build on Friday’s start against the Mets in which he gave up just one run over 6 innings, allowing 4 hits.

Opposing pitcher Ervin Santana has been great for the Braves this year, with a 13-7 record and an impressive 3.53 ERA. In his last start, he got a no-decision in Miami as the offense failed to back his quality start of one-run ball through 6 innings.

Cody Asche gets the start at third base after Maikel Franco was given the opportunity last night. He will be hoping to improve on his .249 average in order to cling on to any hope of keeping the starting 3B job. He is .233 over his last 10 games.

Freddy Galvis starts at shortstop as Jimmy Rollins gets a rest, with the switch-hitting utility infielder hitting 7 in front of catcher Wil Nieves, who gets the start ahead of last night’s home-run hero Carlos Ruiz.

Grady Sizemore will hit in the two-hole today, hitting a hot .316 with 6 hits in his last 19 at-bats. He is hitting 41 points higher in road games this year, batting .273 compared to .232 at home.

Lineups 9/3

Phillies:

Revere CF, Sizemore RF, Utley 2B, Howard 1B, Brown LF, Asche 3B, Galvis SS, Nieves C, Buchanan P

Braves:

Heyward RF, Simmons SS, Freeman 1B, Doumit LF, La Stella 2B, Johnson 3B, Bethancourt C,  B.J. Upton CF, Santana P