Tyler Goeddel will get the start in center field today. (Photo: Frank Klose/Philliedelphia)
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies (11-5-2) will take on left-hander Kyle Lobstein and the Pittsburgh Pirates (5-10) home at Bright House Field as the Pirates make the drive north from Bradenton.
Right-hander Charlie Morton will face his former squad. After only a cup of coffee with the Atlanta Braves, Morton was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was a regular member of the starting rotation since 2011. The Phillies acquired Morton this offseason to be a veteran presence among young players in Phillies camp and in the starting rotation.
The Pirates will counter with Kyle Lobstein. Lobstein was acquired from the Detroit Tigers this past offseason in exchange for cash considerations. Lobstein made starts for the Detroit Tigers the last two seasons to a record of 4-10 with a 5.33 earned run average. In three Grapefruit League games so far, Lobstein has yet to allow an earned run.
The Phillies will continue to give Rule 5 pick Tyler Goeddel a long look today, this time in center field. Despite the presence of Peter Bourjos, a fine defensive center fielder, Goeddel will get to work on his craft in center while Odubel Herrera continues to recover from a finger injury suffered sliding into home plate late last week.
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard gets a start against another left-handed pitcher. Three of Howard's hits have come against left-handed pitchers this Spring, including two doubles and a home run. Howard has four hits in his last 10 at bats, bringing his batting average to .200 after starting out with one hit in his first 15 at bats (.067).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (5-10 | Philadelphia Phillies (11-5-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Kyle Lobstein | RHP | Charlie Morton | ||
| (1-0, 0.00 ERA) | (0-0, 3.86 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Pittsburgh Pirates (5-10) | Philadelphia Phillies (11-5-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Gregory Polanco | L | 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 2 | C | Francisco Cervelli | R | 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 3 | DH | David Freese | R | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | LF | Matt Joyce | L | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 3B | Jason Rogers | R | 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 6 | 1B | Jake Goebbert | L | 6 | RF | Cedric Hunter | L |
| 7 | SS | Cole Figueroa | L | 7 | LF | Peter Bourjos | R |
| 8 | CF | Danny Ortiz | L | 8 | CF | Tyler Goeddel | R |
| 9 | 2B | Pedro Florimon | S | 9 | P | Charlie Morton | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN, MLB.TV
- Radio: N/A
Game Notes:
- Catcher Carlos Ruiz left Phillies camp earlier this week. The Phillies World Champion catcher has joined team Panama to participate in a play-in tournament for the World Baseball Classic. Despite being down a catcher, the Phillies sent both Andrew Knapp and Jorge Alfaro to minor league camp earlier today to continue their development. J.P. Arencibia, Gabriel Lino, and Logan Moore remain alongside starter Cameron Rupp to help the big league club behind the plate.
- As Opening Day gets closer, the Phillies will bat the pitcher for the first time this season. The Pittsburgh Pirates, however, will use the designated hitter.
- The Phillies have yet to pitch right-handed reliever Michael Mariot, who has been dealing with an injury to his ankle, and left-handed reliever Frank Herrmann, whom we have received no update at this time.
What's Next:
- Saturday, March 18, 2016: at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
- Dunedin – Florida Auto Exchange Stadium
- Probable pitchers: TBA
- TV:MLB.TV; Radio:94 WIP
