By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Returning to action following their only off-day of spring training on Wednesday, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-4-2) will wear green jerseys in celebration of St. Patrick's Day this afternoon as they oppose left-hander Matt Moore and the Tampa Bay Rays (6-9) home at Bright House Field.
Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco will return to the starting lineup after sitting Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. This spring, Franco leads all of Major League Baseball in home runs (6), runs-batted-in (14), total bases (29) and slugging percentage (.967).
Right-hander Vincent Velasquez earns his third starting nod, followed by the scheduled spring debut of right-hander Jerad Eickhoff later in the game. Eickhoff has been sidelined with a small right thumb fracture. Velasquez and Eickhoff were acquired as pieces of the Ken Giles and Cole Hamels trades to the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, respectively.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Tampa Bay Rays (6-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (11-4-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Matt Moore | RHP | Vincent Velasquez | ||
| (0-0, 1.59 ERA) | (0-0, 4.00 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Tampa Bay Rays (6-9) | Philadelphia Phillies (11-4-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Logan Forsythe | R | 1 | CF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 2 | DH | Steve Pearce | R | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | 3B | Evan Longoria | R | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | 1B | James Loney | L | 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R |
| 5 | LF | Desmond Jennings | R | 5 | DH | Ryan Howard | L |
| 6 | CF | Kevin Kiermaier | L | 6 | LF | Darnell Sweeney | S |
| 7 | RF | Brandon Guyer | R | 7 | C | Gabriel Lino | R |
| 8 | SS | Nick Franklin | S | 8 | RF | David Lough | L |
| 9 | C | Luke Maile | R | 9 | 2B | Emmanuel Burriss | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV
- Radio: N/A
Game Notes:
- Despite being hit by Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola in the bottom of the first inning on Tuesday, exiting the game with a left elbow contusion, Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe will start this afternoon. Outfielder Steve Pearce, who last played on March 7 due to a sore right calf, returns to the Rays' lineup as their designated hitter.
- Catcher Gabriel Lino, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on June 30, 2012, in exchange for Jim Thome, earns his first start of the spring. In 85 combined games last season at the Double and Triple-A levels, Lino, 22, hit .234/.277/.329 with three home runs and 30 runs-batted-in.
#Rays bus had to re-route through Tampa due to Skyway closure so running a little late on way to Clearwater, ETA ~ 10:30
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 17, 2016
What's Next:
- Friday, March 18, 2016: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
- Clearwater – Bright House Field
- Probable pitchers: TBA
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV; Radio: N/A
