Posted by Erik Seybold
After being named the home opener starting pitcher, Cole Hamels (0-1, 3.86 ERA) will make his fifth Grapefruit League start this afternoon against a Boston Red Sox split squad. In his last outing, Hamels lasted just 3 1/3 innings against the Blue Jays, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, while striking out none.
Since Hamels is pitching today, it seems likely that he will pitch on the 29th against the Rays, possibly his last Spring Training start. There's no word if Hamels will pitch five days later against the Pirates for the Phillies' On-Deck series on Tuesday, April 3rd. If so, he would have a six day gap between scheduled starts (home opener April 9th).
For the Red Sox, Alfredo Aceves (0-0, 1.00 ERA) will make just his second start of the Spring. In his last appearance, he threw a strong four inning effort against the Cardinals, allowing just one earned run on three hits, while striking out four. Aceves will take on a mostly minor-league Phillies lineup today. Charlie is giving the usual starters a day off.
There is good news on the horizon. Jim Thome will make his debut at first base in a Grapefruit League game tomorrow against the Orioles. Along with Thome, Placido Polanco says his finger feels fine, and he will play a minor-league game today and should be back in the lineup tomorrow against the Orioles.
Today's lineup vs Boston:
- Vic CF
- Pierre DH
- Pence RF
- Nix 1B
- JMJ LF
- Chooch C
- Orr 3B
- Galvis 2B
- Abreu SS
- Hamels P.
The game is NOT on TV, but you can listen to it on 1210 WPHT AM/ 94.1 WIP FM.
Erik Seybold is a Contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
