Phillies' Ryan Howard: Will start at first base Opening Day
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Manager Pete Mackanin said that Howard will start at first base on Opening Day against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.
Mackanin would not confirm that Howard would also open the year in a platoon at first base with Darin Ruf, but that remains the expectation. The question is how much will Ruf play. Howard is in the final year of his contract and the Phillies are looking to the future. It would make sense to give Ruf more opportunity beyond just facing lefties, but Mackanin has yet to give any indication that is in the cards. Howard proved last season he can still be productive against right handed pitching with an .802 OPS and 20 home runs in 367 at-bats.
