After waiting out the rains of yesterday, Jeremy Hellickson returns to the mound in his second Grapefruit League game
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Houston Astros (11-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Wandy Rodriguez | RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | ||
| (1-0, 2.25 ERA) | (0-0, 4.50 ERA) | ||||
Jeremy Hellickson gets the ball against the Houston Astros this afternoon. Hellickson was sidelined briefly with the flu but has been pitching in minor league games, throwing four hitless innings in his last start. He should be good to go and is still a candidate for Opening Day starter.
This afternoon's line up seems fairly standard save for J.P. Arencibia who is getting some extra looks at catcher while Carlos Ruiz has been playing for Panama in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. Tyler Goeddel appears safe for the time being as we await to see if the Phillies decide to add an outfielder to the mix after losing Aaron Altherr.
Wandy Rodriguez, who you may remember was with the Phillies for about ten minutes last season before being released after flunking his physical, starts for Houston. Rodriguez spent most of his career with the Astros before injuries and mixed results made him somewhat of a journeyman. He has returned to his old club on a minor league deal.
Starting Lineups:
| Houston Astros (11-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (12-5) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Jose Altuve | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | RF | George Springer | R | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | SS | Carlos Correa | R | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | CF | Colby Rasmus | L | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 1B | Tyler White | R | 5 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 6 | 3B | Matt Duffy | R | 6 | C | J.P. Arencibia | R |
| 7 | C | Roberto Pena | R | 7 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R |
| 8 | LF | Eury Perez | R | 8 | CF | Darnell Sweeney | S |
| 9 | P | Wandy Rodriguez | S | 9 | SP | Jeremy Hellickson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 1:05pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94.1 WIP
What's Next:
Friday, March 21, 2016: at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 PM ET
- RHP Aaron Nola (0-1, 7.71 ERA) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
- Radio: MLB.com
Greg Vince (@GregVince) of Philliedelphia.com.
