By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) return home after a 10-3 Sunday victory in Dunedin to take on the Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) and southpaw Blake Snell Monday afternoon at Spectrum Field. Snell will oppose Phillies right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, making his spring debut.
Snell, 24, pitched to a 98/51 K/BB ratio with a 1.62 WHIP in 19 starts last season for the Rays. He is currently the only left-handed starter currently projected to make the Rays' Opening Day roster. Eickhoff, 26, allowed 9 fewer walks than Snell in 108 1/3 more innings. He proved to be one of the mainstays in the Phillies' rotation in 2016, joining RHP Jeremy Hellickson (32) as the only pitchers to record more than 25 starts (33).
In relief of Eickhoff, the following relievers are scheduled to make an appearance in today's action, according to Meghan Montemurro: right-handers Luis Garcia, Drew Anderson and non-roster invitees LHP Sean Burnett, RHP Colton Murray and RHP Pedro Beato. RHP Miguel Nunez will also pitch out of minor league camp.
The Phillies lead all teams in spring training home runs (6) and rank second among National League teams in runs scored (20) and RBIs (16).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Blake Snell | RHP | Jerad Eickhoff | ||
| (2016: 6-8, 3.54 ERA) | (2016: 11-14, 3.65 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (2-1) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | DH | Corey Dickerson | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 2B | Nick Franklin | S | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 1B | Casey Gillaspie^ | S | 3 | DH | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 4 | LF | Jake Bauers^ | L | 4 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 5 | C | Michael McKenry^ | R | 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 6 | SS | Daniel Robertson | R | 6 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins^ | R |
| 7 | 3B | Patrick Leonard^ | R | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | RF | Justin Williams# | L | 8 | C | Bryan Holaday^ | R |
| 9 | CF | Dayron Varona^ | R | 9 | LF | Roman Quinn | S |
^ non-roster invitee, # from minor-league camp
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN
- Radio: N/A
Game Notes:
- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco is one of three players this spring to hit two home runs (3 at-bats), joining New York Mets left fielder Michael Conforto (7 at-bats) and Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (4 at-bats).
Like we said, the second homer was weird. #BeLikeMaik pic.twitter.com/7qYdc81Ymy
— Phillies (@Phillies) February 25, 2017
- Phillies non-roster invitee outfielder Cameron Perkins ranks second in spring training hits, 4, trailing just Conforto (5). In the leadoff position, Perkins was 2-3 with a RBI single in Sunday's victory over Toronto at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
- Two non-roster invitees will be in the Phillies' starting lineup: first baseman Rhys Hoskins and catcher Bryan Holaday. So far, Hoskins, 23, has a double, home run and two walks through three at-bats. Holaday, 29, is hitless with a strikeout in one at-bat, but is the only Phillies catcher this spring to catch a runner stealing.
What's Next:
- Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017: vs. Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
- Spectrum Field (Clearwater)
- RHP Mike Wright (2016: 3-4, 5.79 ERA) vs. RHP Clay Buchholz (2016: 8-10, 4.78 ERA)
- TV: TCN; Radio: N/A
