Posted by Erik Seybold.
It's pretty annoying playing the Yankees three days in a row, but it's Spring Training so it doesn't really matter.
Anyway, the Phillies are now 0-2 so far in the Grapefruit League standings after falling to the Yankees twice. 8-5 on Saturday, and 7-4 yesterday afternoon. Today, the Phillies will host the Yankees and Joe Blanton (2011: 1-2, 5.01 ERA) will get the start @ 1:05 PM.
Following Cole Hamels' and Roy Halladay's strong first two innings during their starts, Joe Blanton has a mighty task ahead of him: proving he's still a valuable starter. Blanton has not started a game since September 28 against the Atlanta Braves where he allowed one earned run on three hits, but in the process; striking out four Braves in two innings pitched.
Joe Blanton will have to battle for his spot in the rotation this Spring as righthanders Vance Worley and Kyle Kendrick are also battling for the fourth and fifth men in the rotation this season.
The Phillies will bring their lineup against new-Yankee Michael Pineda (2011: 9-10, 3.74 ERA). The Yankees acquired Pineda in a trade from the Seattle Mariners. Pineda, a rookie in 2011, was an All-Star phenom over the first half of the season, but towards the end, he began to wear down.
Charlie Manuel will send out this lineup against the 23 year-old righty.
Today's Lineup vs. Yankees
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Placido Polanco 3B
- Shane Victorino CF
- Jim Thome DH
- Hunter Pence RF
- Ty Wigginton 1B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Brian Schneider C
- Kevin Frandsen 2B
- Joe Blanton P.
First Pitch @ 1:05 PM ET! You can watch the game on MLB Network!
Erik Seybold is a Contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
