The Phillies and the Braves will meet today for the first time this spring. It's not that big of a deal, being that it is only spring training, but it will also showcase how two of the top three teams in the NL East will bare against each other headed into the 2013 campaign.
Cole Hamels, who started last Saturday's game against the Astros, will make his seccond start of the spring against the NL East rival Braves. Hamels threw two innings on Saturday, allowing a hit as well as striking out one batter. You can probably guess that Hamels will go a little longer this afternoon, most likely three or four innings. Last season, Hamels held the Braves to a .221 OBA.
Paul Maholm threw two perfect innings of ball against the Yankees last Saturday in what proved to be a Braves loss. Maholm was traded to Atlanta last July from Chicago. In 2012, Maholm held the Phillies to a .306 OBA while allowing a total of 11 hits in 36 at-bats against the Phils.
Notes:
- Darin Ruf will return to the lineup. Darin Ruf was given a couple days off after suffering from a sore arm due to the adjustment from right field to left.
- Chase Utley will return to the lineup after not playing in Tuesday's or yesterday's games due to field conditions and traveling, respectively.
- Jimmy Rollins will be hitting in the two-hole today. According to Philly.com's Matt Gelb, it is the first time Rollins will be hitting second in the lineup since 2004.
- Cole Hamels, Ethan Martin, Jonathan Pettibone, Mike Adamsand Jake Diekman are scheduled to pitch this afternoon.
Phillies Lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Michael Young 3B
- Dom Brown RF
- Darin Ruf LF
- Laynce Nix DH
- Erik Kratz C
Cole Hamels starts.
Braves Lineup:
- Tyler Pastornicky 2B
- Jayson Heyward RF
- Justin Upton LF
- B.J. Upton DH
- Chris Johnson 3B
- Evan Gattis C
- Ernesto Mejia 1B
- Todd Cunningham CF
- Ramiro Pena SS
Paul Maholm will start.
TV: Comcast Network
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
