BASEBALL! Oh how we have missed thee. It's nice to click off that "Spring Training" category and know the Phillies will be ready for action.
Indeed, it is just Spring Training. But we have not seen any baseball since the regular season ended, making our wait time much greater. Without the Flyers for so long and the Bynum-less Sixers exciting no one while the Eagles slumped to their worst season in years, Philadelphia needs some sports optimism.
There are plenty of things to be excited about for the Phillies fan:
- Chase Utley and Ryan Howard playing together in a Spring Training game? Has not happened since 2010.
- Our first glimpse at Ben Revere, who will lead off and play center field
- Michael Young at third base, batting second
Indeed, those four may quickly become Pete Orr, Michael Martinez, Josh Fields, and Tyson Gillies, but at least it's a living, breathing baseball game.
The Phillies take on some of their former prospects in the Houston Astros. Controversial Pence trade commodities Jared Cosart and Josh Zied will pitch innings for the Astros.
Phillies Lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Michael Young 3B
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard 1B
- Darin Ruf LF
- Domonic Brown RF
- Laynce Nix DH
- Yuniesky Betancourt SS
- Erik Kratz C
Cole Hamels pitches first.
Astros Lineup:
- Tyler Greene SS
- Marwin Gonzalez 2B
- Justin Maxwell CF
- Chris Carter 1B
- J.D. Martinez LF
- Nate Freiman DH
- Matt Dominguez 3B
- Carlos Corporan C
- Trevor Crowe RF
Lucas Harrell pitches first.
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: WPHT 1210AM (No FM yet, sorry)