Photo: Philliedelphia/Frank Klose
Fenway South is the state-of-the-art Spring Training facility for the Boston Red Sox. Just outside Fort Myers, the facility is home to Jet Blue Park. 137 miles away from the Phillies' training site, the Phillies rarely visit. Tonight the Phillies make their only trip of the Spring. As other long rides have gone, some Phillies have stayed home.
Making the ride for a Spring Training start is Cole Hamels. Officially, Hamels is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA for the Phillies this Spring in Grapefruit League action. Luckily for his numbers, his pounding at the hands of the Dominican Republic on March 6 does not count towards his ERA. Hamels appears mostly ready to head up the Phillies 2013 staff. He will start tonight and one other time before Opening Day in Atlanta. We should expect a longer start from Hamels than past appearances; this time of the year about 75 pitches would be a good guess.
Taking the mound for the Red Sox is John Lackey. The last we saw of Lackey in the major leagues he was in the middle of chicken-and-beer-gate that led to Terry Francona's resignation. After missing all of 2012 with Tommy John surgery, Lackey is returning to action. So far this spring he is 2-0, but has pitched to an 8.10 ERA.
The Phillies will face old friend Shane Victorino, starting in right field for the Red Sox and hitting second. Most of the Red Sox starters are in today's lineup. Missing today's action will be shortstop Stephen Drew. As is common with his bloodline, Drew is injured and may miss Opening Day. Designated hitter David Ortiz has been suffering from heel pain and continues to be on the shelf.
The Phillies lineup is truncated. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley stayed back in Clearwater, along with Domonic Brown who appears to have locked in a starting spot in the Phillies lineup. Making the trip and not playing is Darin Ruf. During Monday's blowout with the Braves Ruf turned a fly ball to the warning track into a home run. The Phillies instead will have likely Iron Pig Pete Orr start in the outfield.
To John Stolinis (@felskefiles) of @TBOHBlog, that is really telling:
Why Darin Ruf isn't starting the remaining games in LF is beyond me. Especially if Pete Orr is getting an OF start. What the what???
— John Stolnis (@FelskeFiles) March 21, 2013
Stolinis believes that is an indication that the Phillies "must be convinced that Ruf is going to start at AAA". Maybe having him watch will do him some good.
Cole Hamels will bat for himself today while the Red Sox use a DH.
Phillies Lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Pete Orr RF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Michael Young 3B
- Laynce Nix LF
- Carlos Ruiz C
- John Mayberry 1B
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Cole Hamels P
Red Sox Lineup:
- Jacoby Ellsbury CF
- Shane Victorino RF
- Dustin Pedroia 2B
- Mike Napoli 1B
- Will Middlebrooks 3B
- Jonny Gomes LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
- Daniel Nava DH
- Jose Iglesias SS
First Pitch: 7:05
TV: None (available on MLB.tv)
Radio: WPHT 1210AM
