HOUSTON — The are some starting lineup changes for Game 6: The Phillies have their “Framber Valdez” starting nine set, with Edmundo Sosa replacing the left-handed Bryson Stott at shortstop and righty Matt Vierling in for lefty Brandon Marsh in center field.
Against Valdez in Game 2, Sosa and Vierling combined to go 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
More significant is the change Houston had to make with first baseman Yuli Gurriel being knocked off the roster, which puts Trey Mancini at first base. Valdez led all qualified pitchers with a 66.5 percent ground ball rate this year, so infield defense is important.