By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies (3-2) will seek redemption from their 7-2 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays (4-1) earlier this week in a Wednesday matinee at Charlotte Sports Park. Right-handers Vince Velasquez and Jake Odorizzi will be the starting pitchers, both making their respective spring debuts.
Velasquez, 24, makes his first appearance on the mound since being shut down after reaching his innings limit on Sept. 3. In 2016, the Montclair, California native had a 152-45 K-BB ratio over 131 innings. Odorizzi, 26, won his arbitration hearing against the Rays this offseason for $4.1 million in 2017 as opposed to $3.825 million. He had a similar K-BB ratio as Velasquez last season, 166-54 over 187 2/3 innings.
The Rays are coming off of a 19-0 blowout victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Their offense went 8-for-19 with runners in scoring position and produced 23 hits (five home runs). The 19-run performance set a Rays spring training record, besting their previous mark of 16 set on March 11, 2010.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (3-2) | Tampa Bay Rays (4-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Jake Odorizzi | ||
| (2016: 8-6, 4.12 ERA) | (2016: 10-6, 3.69 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (3-2) | Tampa Bay Rays (4-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | RF | Steven Souza Jr. | R |
| 2 | LF | Chris Coghlan^ | L | 2 | CF | Kevin Kiermaier | L |
| 3 | 3B | Andres Blanco | S | 3 | DH | Evan Longoria | R |
| 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 4 | 2B | Brad Miller | L |
| 5 | DH | Daniel Nava^ | S | 5 | 1B | Rickie Weeks Jr.^ | R |
| 6 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 6 | LF | Tim Beckham | R |
| 7 | SS | J.P. Crawford^ | L | 7 | C | Jesus Sucre# | R |
| 8 | CF | Roman Quinn | S | 8 | 3B | Patrick Leonard^ | R |
| 9 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 9 | SS | Willy Adames | R |
^ non-roster invitee, # from minor-league camp
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: N/A
- Radio: MLB.com
Game Notes:
- Five switch-hitters are in the Phillies' starting lineup: infielders Cesar Hernandez and Andres Blanco, designated hitter Daniel Nava, catcher Andrew Knapp and center fielder Roman Quinn.
- Phillies non-roster invitee second baseman Scott Kingery — their 11th-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com — was a triple shy of the cycle in Tuesday's 7-5 victory over Baltimore. The 22-year-old had a combined split of .281/.335/.388 between 131 games at Single-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading last season.
.@ScottyJetpax25 earning his Twitter handle with this grab. pic.twitter.com/l9Hm4PXrNU
— Phillies (@Phillies) February 28, 2017
- The Phillies have grounded into just one double play this spring, the fewest among all teams. Their 11 home runs — four of which came on Tuesday against the Orioles — matches the New York Yankees' total for the most in baseball. On the mound, Phillies pitching is tied for throwing the fourth-most innings while allowing the sixth-most earned runs.
What's Next:
- Thursday, March 2, 2017: at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
- Florida Auto Exchange Stadium (Dunedin)
- RHP Aaron Nola (2016: 6-9, 4.78 ERA) vs. LHP J.A. Happ (2016: 20-4, 3.18 ERA)
- TV: MLBN; Radio: MLB.com
