By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies (4-3-1) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4-1) will compete in the latter-half of the two-game, home-and-home series Tuesday afternoon at Bright House Field. Coming off of a 1-0 victory, the Phillies will look for the sweep as they send southpaw Adam Morgan to the mound for his second start of the spring.
Voorhees, New Jersey, native RHP Andrew Bailey will make an appearance out of the bullpen this afternoon, according to CSNPhilly.com. Bailey, 31—who pitched a scoreless third inning against the Atlanta Braves on March 4—is a candidate for the closer role along with the Phillies' sole Major League acquisition this offseason, RHP David Hernandez.
Entering in relief for the Phillies following Morgan and Bailey are: Elvis Araujo, Yoervis Medina, Chris Leroux, Bobby LaFromboise and Dalier Hinojosa.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (4-3-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Jon Niese | LHP | Adam Morgan | ||
| (0-1, 18.00 ERA) | (0-0, 9.00 ERA) | ||||
Niese, 29, will be making his second appearance of the spring this afternoon. The southpaw's first outing came on March 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he surrendered four runs on five hits in two innings of work.
After being dealt from the Mets on Dec. 9 in exchange for 2014 Silver Slugger Award-winning second baseman Neil Walker, Niese is expected to serve as a middle-of-the-rotation type starter this upcoming season for the Pirates.
In eight seasons with the Mets, Niese was 61-61 with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.361 WHIP ratio spanning 1,068 1/3 innings.
Morgan, 26, will take the mound for the first time of the spring at home, as his only other appearance thus far came in split-squad action against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 3.
In the first inning, the left-hander surrendered a one-out single to right fielder Carlos Beltran, followed by a two-run home run to designated hitter Alex Rodriguez. Morgan then retired the next five batters he faced to conclude his spring debut.
Starting Lineups:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (2-4-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (4-3-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Josh Harrison | R | 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 2 | RF | Matt Joyce | L | 2 | CF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 3 | CF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | 1B | John Jaso | L | 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R |
| 5 | 3B | Jason Rogers | R | 5 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R |
| 6 | LF | Jake Goebbert | L | 6 | RF | Tyler Goeddel | R |
| 7 | SS | Jordy Mercer | R | 7 | LF | Nick Williams | L |
| 8 | C | Elias Diaz | R | 8 | 2B | Taylor Featherston | R |
| 9 | P | Jon Niese | L | 9 | DH | Cesar Hernandez | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV
- Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7
What's Next:
Wednesday, March 9, 2016:
vs. Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
- Clearwater – Bright House Field
- RHP Yovani Gallardo (2015: 13-11, 3.42 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV; Radio: N/A
at Minnesota Twins, 1:05 p.m.
- Fort Myers – CenturyLink Sports Complex
- RHP Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Tommy Milone (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: N/A
