Cole Hamels gets the start for the Phillies as the Baltimore Orioles head north from Sarasota to Clearwater. Hamels has been pretty dominant in the early going. Hamels pitched two scoreless innings in his first start. In Hamels' second start, he pitched two scoreless before allowing a two-run home run in the third inning. Still the subject of trade rumors, Hamels may try to go four innings as he continues to stretch out for the season.
Ryan Howard, who has homered in each of the last two games, will start once again at first base. The Phillies have been playing Howard pretty regularly in hopes that he will find his stroke once again and become a good trade candidate. Howard gets a start against the Baltimore Orioles, who have been "keeping an eye" on Howard. The Orioles could use a left-handed designated hitter to compliment (or play in lieu of) right-handed Delmon Young.
Chase Utley gets another start at designated hitter. Utley still will not start at second base, though he worked out at the position prior to yesterday's game. Utley has served as a designated hitter twice so far this season. In five at bats, Utley has three singles, including a run batted in.
Pitching for the Orioles is Miguel Angel Gonzalez, not to be confused with Phillies pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, or Detroit Tigers catcher Miguel Anthony Gonzalez, all of whom are playing in Major League camps in the Grapefruit League this Spring. The Miguel A. Gonzalez on the Orioles is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA this Spring.
The Orioles are not bringing many of their starting bats along for the 75-minute ride from Sarasota to Clearwater. Phillies fans will, however, get to watch their two top offensive players in Steve Pearce in right field and Adam Jones in center field. The Phillies will also get to see a couple forgettable former Phillies in Delmon Young (designated hitter) and Jayson Nix (shortstop).
Phillies Lineup:
Today's #PhilliesST lineup vs the #Orioles. Hamels vs Gonzalez. 1:05pm game time on @TCNPhilly and @MLBTV. pic.twitter.com/WUMC9Sz7K0
— Phillies (@Phillies) March 16, 2015
Orioles Lineup:
#Orioles lineup: Cabrera-8, Paredes-5, Pearce-9, Davis-3, Young-DH, Reimold-7, Lavarnway-2, Schoop-4, Nix-6, Gonzalez-1 #OriolesTalk
— Rich Dubroff (@RichDubroffCSN) March 16, 2015
First pitch: 1:05
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: None
