Ryan Howard is not in the lineup Sunday against the Nationals, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard is not in the lineup Sunday against the Nationals, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis:

He's made six straight starts at first base but will take a seat with left-hander Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the opposing Nationals. Howard is 0-for-12 lifetime with six strikeouts against Gonzalez, so the move makes sense from a matchup standpoint. Darin Ruf will take over at first base for the afternoon contest.