By Nick Mandarano, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — After a 9-5 win against the Twins on Tuesday and a loss earlier in March, the Phillies have an opportunity to take the spring series against Minnesota. In a loss on Wednesday to the Yankees, the Phillies failed to score until the eighth inning and allowed six runs off home runs alone. They'll look to Aaron Nola on the mound to try to contain the Twins' offense.
The Phillies have been outscored 40-25 in their previous five games, in which they went 1-4. Minnesota's 13-10 record ranks them fourth in the Grapefruit League.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Minnesota Twins (13-10) | Philadelphia Phillies (10-13) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Justin Haley | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (0-0, 7.59 ERA) | (0-1, 6.75 ERA) | ||||
Nola, 23, has one career start against the Twins in the regular season. He pitched three innings in a loss and allowed seven earned runs off nine hits. In his last start this spring, Nola pitched 4.2 innings allowing four runs and took the loss. Today, he and the Phillies will be trying to hold the opposition to less than five runs for the first time in five games.
Haley, 25, has never pitched in the Majors and holds a 35-44 record with a 3.41 career ERA in his five Minor League seasons. In 2016, he advanced to Triple-A Pawtucket midway through the season. His last Spring Training outing lasted just two innings as he allowed four runs off five hits.
Starting Lineups:
| Minnesota Twins (13-10) | Philadelphia Phillies (10-13) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | J.B. Shuck | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 2B | Benji Gonzalez | S | 2 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 3 | CF | Max Kepler | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | 1B | ByungHo Park | R | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | SS | Jorge Polanco | S | 5 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 6 | DH | Matt Hague | R | 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 7 | 3B | Ehire Adrianza | S | 7 | DH | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | C | John Ryan Murphy | R | 8 | C | Andrew Knapp | S |
| 9 | RF | Tommy Field | R | 9 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN
Game Notes:
- The Phillies have walked 100 times in 26 games for a 3.85 BB/G rate. It's the highest since online data was tracked starting in 2006. The next highest 3.48 in 2009. Their 100 walks ranks them fifth in the majors.
- Brock Stassi leads the MLB in runs batted in (15) during Spring Training.
- The Phillies are tied with the Dodgers for the fourth most home runs allowed (34) this Spring.
What's Next:
- Friday, March 23, 2017: @ New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
- Steinbrenner Field
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (0-2, 7.50 ERA) vs. LHP CC Sabathia (0-1, 9.45 ERA)
- TV: MLBN
L
