CINCINNATI -- Hello from the banks of the Ohio River. Great American Ballpark (left) is, for my money, the least impressive of the newer ballparks in the National League. There just isn't anything particularly distinctive or special about it. Although, since last season, the Reds have added a mock riverboat beyond center-field. Looks like it may be a pretty cool spot to watch a game.A few Phillies updates before the game starts:
1. Ryan Howard remains sidelined with a sprained ligament in his left leg. But Howard spent most of the afternoon taking swings in the cage and just finished taking batting practice on the field. He also took grounders at first base. Charlie Manuel said Howard may be available to pinch-hit tonight. Asked if he'd be able to return to the lineup, Howard said, "Hopefully. That's the goal."
2. Wes Helms is playing first base tonight. Abraham Nunez is at third. Greg Dobbs, 0-for-4 yesterday at Washington, is back on the bench. The Phillies' lineup: SS- Jimmy Rollins, RF-Shane Victorino, 2B- Chase Utley, LF- Pat Burrell, Helms, CF- Aaron Rowand, Nunez, C- Carlos Ruiz, P- Jon Lieber.
3. All eyes will be on Lieber tonight, as he makes his first start since being reinserted into the rotation Wednesday. I asked Manuel if the Phillies would've made the move to put Lieber back in the rotation and Brett Myers in the bullpen if they were 10-4 today rather than 4-10. His response: "We probably wouldn't have made it." That tells you all you need to know about whether it was a desperate move by a desperate team.
More later.
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