By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After 32 Grapefruit League games, the Philadelphia Phillies (13-17-2) will take the field one final time in 2018 spring training action on Tuesday, as they oppose right-hander Jameson Taillon and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-19-2) at Spectrum Field.
Phillies right-hander Jake Arrieta will make his second start with the team after his mid-March signing. After Tuesday, Arrieta will throw in a simulated game in New York either April 2 or 3, and will make his regular season debut on Sunday, April 8, against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. In the meantime, Arrieta will either be placed on the disabled list or optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to start the season, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury.
The Phillies have won three of their last four games, including their most recent contest on Monday against the Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton, 6-3. Recently-extended Scott Kingery and backup catcher Andrew Knapp went yard for their fifth and second times of the spring, respectively. Starter Vince Velasquez tossed four shutout frames, while striking out three.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (11-19-2) | Philadelphia Phillies (13-17-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jameson Taillon | RHP | Jake Arrieta | ||
| (1-0, 2.79 ERA) | (0-1, 9.00 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (11-19-2) | Philadelphia Phillies (13-17-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Josh Harrison | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | RF | Gregory Polanco | L | 2 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 3 | CF | Starling Marte | R | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 1B | Josh Bell | S | 4 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | LF | Corey Dickerson | L | 5 | DH | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 6 | C | Francisco Cervelli | R | 6 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 7 | 3B | Colin Moran | L | 7 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 8 | DH | David Freese | R | 8 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 9 | SS | Jordy Mercer | R | 9 | SS | J.P. Crawford | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP+
- Radio: N/A
Game Notes:
- In his spring debut against the Detroit Tigers at home on March 22, Arrieta allowed two runs in two innings on three hits, a home run, no walks and two strikeouts.
- Pirates pitchers Felipe Rivero and Chad Kuhl are scheduled to appear in relief of Taillon, according to MLB.com's Adam Berry.
- Right-handers Zach Elflin and Tommy Hunter will begin not begin the 2018 season active with the big league club. Eflin was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, while Hunter will begin the season on the disabled list due to a mild hamstring strain.
- After designating catcher Cameron Rupp for assignment on Sunday, the Phillies elected to cut ties altogether with the 29-year-old on Monday by releasing him. The Phillies will be responsible to pay out one-fourth of Rupp's $2.05 million salary for 2018.
- The Phillies signed veteran INF/OF Alexi Amarista to a minor league pact on Monday. Amarista will likely begin the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, along with recently-optioned SS/OF Roman Quinn. Quinn led all of baseball this spring in stolen bases, 9.
What's Next:
- Thursday, March 29, 2018: at Atlanta Braves, 4:10 p.m.
- Opening Day
- SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Ga.
- RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Julio Teheran
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
