Buchanan faces rookie Cooney in Phillies series finale with Cardinals

Kevin Durso

April 30 2015

If the Phillies (8-14) series opener was about Cole Hamels potentially auditioning for a team that may have a need for his services in the near future, Thursday's series finale is about the immediate fill-in.

The Phillies will face Cardinals (14-6) left-hander Tim Cooney in his major-league debut as they look to split the series in St. Louis on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is at 1:45 p.m.

Starting Pitching Matchup

St. Louis Cardinals (14-6)			Philadelphia Phillies (8-14)
LHP	Tim Cooney	(0-0, -.– ERA)	RHP	David Buchanan	(0-4, 7.52 ERA)

David Buchanan slow start to the season met tough luck in his last start. Buchanan suffered the loss, allowing three runs on two hits, after turning over a 2-1 lead to the bullpen with two runners on base after 6 2/3 innings against the Braves. Buchanan has been the losing pitcher in all four starts he has made this season. In two career starts against the Cardinals, Buchanan is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA.

Cooney is set to make his major-league debut as he fills in for Adam Wainwright, who is now out for the season. Cooney is a Philly product, attending Malvern Prep, wearing No. 35 because it was Hamels number, and even skipping school to attend the Phillies World Series parade in 2008. It is fitting that his first start comes against his favorite team from childhood.

Starting Lineups

St. Louis Cardinals (14-6)			Philadelphia Phillies (8-14)
	Position/Bats	Player		Position/Bats	Player
1	CF/L	Jon Jay	1	CF/L	Odubel Herrera
2	3B/R	Matt Carpenter	2	SS/S	Freddy Galvis
3	LF/R	Matt Holliday	3	LF/R	Darin Ruf
4	1B/L	Matt Adams	4	1B/L	Ryan Howard
5	RF/L	Jason Heyward	5	RF/R	Jeff Francoeur
6	C/R	Yadier Molina	6	2B/S	Cesar Hernandez
7	2B/L	Kolten Wong	7	3B/L	Cody Asche
8	SS/R	Pete Kozma	8	C/R	Cameron Rupp
9	P/L	Tim Cooney	9	P/R	David Buchanan

It's another different lineup for the Phillies, as Ryan Howard returns to the cleanup spot after his recent success at the plate. Darin Ruf makes his first start in a week, while Chase Utley gets the day off against the left-handed starter and Cesar Hernandez comes in.

The Cardinals switch things up with Jon Jay in the lead-off spot and Pete Kozma in the lineup. The rest of the potent lineup remains the same, backing the rookie Cooney.

Game Notes

Cardinals vs. Buchanan
- Matt Carpenter: 3-for-6 (.500), 1 RBI
- Matt Holliday: 1-for-6 (.167), 1 RBI, 1 K
- Jhonny Peralta: 1-for-5 (.200), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
Odubel Herrera has reached base safely in each of the last 14 games, hitting .357 with seven extra-base hits and five RBI.
Today is Ryan Howard's 1,298th career start at first base, tying the Phillies franchise record held by Fred Luderus, who set the record in 1920. Howard is a .353 hitter with 10 doubles, 20 home runs and 61 RBI in 60 career games against the Cardinals.
Jonathan Papelbon is two saves shy of setting the Phillies franchise record, held by Jose Mesa, for career saves. Papelbon has 111 saves since joining the Phillies. Mesa's record is 112 saves.

Gametime: 1:45 p.m.
Weather: 63 degrees, partly cloudy, 0% PoP
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: CSN, MLB Network
Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, SBP 1480 (Spanish)

Kevin Durso is a contributing writer and editorial assistant for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.