To the victors go the spoils.... and the chance to rest their starters before the playoffs.

But Charlie Manuel's lineup on Sunday, the day after the Phillies clinched their fifth straight NL East division, was full of regulars. In part because he wants to keep his players sharp and in part because the Phils want to give the Cardinals, who are vying for the Wild Card, their very best.

But the Phillies lineup had one notable exception: Ryan Howard.


Howard was out of the starting nine for the fifth time in the last 12 games and the sixth time since August 23 with left foot bursitis.

Since there is 13 days before the playoffs begin, the Phils are attempting to rid Howard of the problem once and for all: Charlie Manuel said Howard will have an anti-inflammatory shot Monday.

"He'll probably miss two or three games," Manuel said. "That should help him some for the rest of the season."

Since the first time he was out of the lineup because of his left foot, Howard has hit .222 (16-for-72) with a .912 OPS, seven home runs, and 17 RBIs in his last 22 games.



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Here's tonight's lineup:

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Hunter Pence, RF
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. Placido Polanco, 3B
7. Ross Gload, 1B
8. Brian Schneider, C
9. Cole Hamels, P