Photo: Frank Klose/Philliedelphia.com
After enjoying a day off from Grapefruit League action, the Phillies (8-7-1) travel to Tampa for an evening matchup against the Yankees (10-6-1) at 7:05pm. These two teams have met four times already this spring. The Yankees have taken two out of three with the other game ending in a 5-5 tie. Tonight's game has a lot on the line for the Phillies as they try to get some good news in their rotation. With Cliff Lee on the 60-day DL and Jerome Williams nursing a hamstring injury, Aaron Harang will get the ball for the second time of the spring tonight after dealing with a stiff back.
Aaron Harang signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Phillies this offseason after having a nice bounce back campaign for the Braves in 2014. He pitched to a 3.57 ERA with 7.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 and a 39.4 percent ground-ball rate in 204 1/3 innings. He's made just one start for the Phils this spring, giving up three hits in two innings of work. With Cliff Lee out for a while, if Harang can remain healthy through the remainder of spring training, he could slot in the rotation spot behind Cole Hamels. After Harang exits, Joely Rodriguez, Jonathan Papelbon, Andy Oliver and Luis Garcia will get some work.
The Yankees will go with Esmil Rogers. The 29-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers last season by the Yankees after posting a 6.97 ERA in 20.2 innings for the Blue Jays. He didn't have much better luck in blue pinstripes, but managed a 4.68 ERA in 25 innings of work. Primarily a reliever over his career, Rogers has seen time with the Rockies, Indians, Blue Jays and Yankees. His best season was with Cleveland in 2012. Rogers went 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 53 innings.
Tonight's #PhilliesST lineup vs #Yankees. Harang vs Rogers. 7:05 pm game time on ESPN, 1210WPHT, 94WIP and @MLBTV. pic.twitter.com/NLO4XlOIfT
— Phillies (@Phillies) March 19, 2015
Here’s how the #Yankees line up against the Phillies tonight in Tampa. #NYYSpring pic.twitter.com/bl9MIbT230
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 19, 2015
Gametime: 7:05pm
Location: George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida
TV: MLB.TV
Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP
