MIAMI -- As you may have already read on www.delawareonline.com, neither Ryan Howard nor Bobby Abreu are in the Phillies' lineup tonight against the Marlins.
The reason?
Marlins lefty Dontrelle Willis is on the mound.
Say what you want about manager Charlie Manuel's decision to sit two of his best hitters (it should be noted that Howard and Abreu have played in each of the Phillies' first 24 games, with Abreu starting all 24 and Howard starting 23).
But the move demonstrates how much respect Willis, only 24, is already getting around baseball.
The only lefty I can think of who causes managers to change their lineup is Randy Johnson. In fact, Abreu put Willis in the Big Unit's class before the game.
"He's a tough pitcher," said Abreu, 9-for-32 lifetime against Willis. "He's got the kind of [funky] motion that takes you out of control at the plate."
Anyway, without Howard or Abreu, here's what the Phillies' lineup looks like tonight.
SS Jimmy Rollins (switch-hitter)
RF Shane Victorino (switch-hitter)
CF Aaron Rowand (righty)
LF Pat Burrell (righty)
2B Chase Utley (lefty)
3B David Bell (righty)
1B Alex Gonzalez (righty)
C Mike Lieberthal (righty)
P Ryan Madson
What does Utley think of being the only real left-handed hitter (Madson also hits lefty) in the lineup?
"Lucky me," he said.
More later.
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