By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The 134th season of Philadelphia Phillies baseball—and the first full season for manager Pete Mackanin, general manager Matt Klentak and president Andy MacPhail—will officially get underway Monday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Six-year veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, acquired this offseason from the Arizona Diamondbacks, will earn his first Opening Day starting nod as he opposes a new-look Reds roster that no longer features left-hander Aroldis Chapman (Yankees) and two-time All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier (White Sox).
Starting for the Reds will be Cuban right-hander Raisel Iglesias, his 19th career appearance on the mound. Right-hander Johnny Cueto, who was dealt to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in July, started the previous four Opening Day contests for Bryan Price's squad (2-2).
The last time the Phillies faced the Reds on Opening Day was a 4-1 defeat on April 12, 2004, the first regular season game in Citizens Bank Park history. The Phillies have lost two of their last three Opening Day contests, having been outscored 25-19.
Lou Piniella, who managed the Reds to a four-game sweep of the defending-champion Oakland Athletics in the 1990 World Series, will serve as grand marshal of the Reds' annual opening day parade prior to the game, according to FOX Sports.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies | Cincinnati Reds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | RHP | Raisel Iglesias | ||
| (2015: 9-12, 4.62 ERA) | (2015: 3-7, 4.15 ERA) | ||||
Iglesias, 26, will start on the mound at Great American Ball Park for the 10th time of his career. The only Phillie to have a a career appearance against the right-hander is starting right fielder Peter Bourjos, who is 0-1 with a strikeout in three plate appearance on July 27, 2015. Coincidentally, Bourjos was hit by Iglesias twice that evening.
Hellickson, who turns 29 on Friday, has one career appearance against the Reds—June 27, 2011, at Tropicana Field as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. He received a losing decision, allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and a walk. Second baseman Brandon Phillips, who is batting in the cleanup position today for Cincinnati, went 4-5 with a double off Hellickson that evening.
In 16 1/3 innings and four starts this spring, Hellickson yielded six runs on 10 hits, seven walks and two home runs.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies | Cincinnati Reds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | SS | Zack Cozart | R |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | 3B | Eugenio Suarez | R |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | 1B | Joey Votto | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 2B | Brandon Phillips | R |
| 5 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 5 | RF | Jay Bruce | L |
| 6 | LF | Cedric Hunter | L | 6 | C | Devin Mesoraco | R |
| 7 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 7 | LF | Adam Duvall | R |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | P | Raisel Iglesias | R |
| 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R | 9 | CF | Billy Hamilton | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 4:10 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Despite catcher Carlos Ruiz earning his eighth career Opening Day start, Mackanin announced on Monday that Cameron Rupp will be the everyday catcher this season. Additionally, Cedric Hunter and Rule-5 selection Tyler Goeddel will split time in left field in a platoon role. For first baseman Ryan Howard, who will also be in a platoon this season with Darin Ruf, he will start on Opening Day for the 10th time of his career.
- The Phillies have just eight position players (Blanco, Galvis, Hernandez, Herrera, Howard, Ruf, Ruiz and Rupp) and one pitcher—right-hander Jeanmar Gomez—active this afternoon who appeared on last season's Opening Day roster.
- Mackanin was the Reds' interim manager for 80 games in 2007 (41-39) following the firing of Jerry Narron on July 1. The Reds' roster that season featured Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr, 2010 American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton, Phillips, former Phillies pitchers Rheal Cormier, Aaron Harang, Kyle Lohse and Eric Milton, along with first baseman Joey Votto playing in his rookie season.
What's Next:
- Wednesday, April 6, 2016: at Cincinnati Reds, 7:10 p.m.
- Great American Ball Park
- RHP Aaron Nola (2015: 6-2, 3.59 ERA) vs. LHP Brandon Finnegan (2015: 5-2, 3.56 ERA)
- TV: CSN, ESPN2; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
