The Phillies have played 32 Grapefruit League games over the past two months preparing for a hopeful 2013 season. With Opening Day two days away, the Phillies are closing the books on spring training and gearing up for a 162 game ride. The Phillies will host the Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park for their On-Deck Series finale. Last night the Jays shut out the Phils, 1-0 in the first home game in Philadelphia since September 27th. Cliff Lee was fantastic through four, but it was Phillippe Aumount who surrendered the lone run, a home run by J.P. Arencibia in the fifth inning.
This afternoon, Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 5.14 ERA) will make his fifth and final start of the spring. In Kendrick's last start, a successful outing against the Yankees last Tuesday, he tossed 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Kendrick allowed two hits and struck out three while taking the winning decision. With the regular season right around the corner, Kyle Kendrick will most likely make his first start of the season next weekend when the Phillies host the Kansas City Royals. Last year, Kendrick went 11-12 with a 3.90 ERA.
Josh Johnson (4-0, 1.13 ERA) will make his final start of the spring as well today, his third against the Phillies. Johnson has been spectacular so far this spring, winning three of his five starts and suppressing the opposition to a .138 batting average. Johnson's last start came on Monday against the Phillies, in that outing he threw 5 1/3 innings of shut out baseball. While allowing only four hits, Johnson struck out eight and walked just one. After today the Phillies won't see Johnson or the Blue Jays for the rest of the season. Johnson will most likely start in the Jays' first series against Cleveland.
Game Notes:
- Spring training officially ends today.
- The Phillies officially announced their 25-man roster this morning.
- Even if he shaves it off, Cole Hamels' mustache will forever hold a place in our hearts.
Phillies lineup:
- Ben Revere CF
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Chase Utley 2B
- Ryan Howard DH
- Michael Young 3B
- Domonic Brown LF
- Laynce Nix RF
- John Mayberry Jr. 1B
- Erik Kratz C
Kyle Kendrick will start today's game.
Blue Jays lineup:
- Jose Reyes SS
- Melky Cabrera LF
- Jose Bautista RF
- Edwin Encarnacion DH
- Adam Lind 1B
- Colby Rasmus CF
- Maicer Izturis 3B
- Henry Blanco C
- Emilio Bonafacio 2B
Josh Johnson will start today's game.
Gametime Forecast: 56°F • Sunny • 0%PoP
TV: MyPHL17, MLB Network
Radio: 1210 WPHT
Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
