By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
TAMPA, Fla. — Having the best Grapefruit League record in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies (9-3-2) will begin a three-game road trip Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field in opposition of six-time All-Star C.C. Sabathia and the New York Yankees (3-7-2).
Southpaw Adam Morgan will take the mound for his third start of the spring as he looks to continue the Phillies' recent streak of success—in which the team is undefeated over their last eight games, outscoring their opponents 46-26. Entering in relief for Morgan on Sunday will be Christiana, Delaware, native Brett Oberholtzer. Both Morgan and Oberholtzer are competing this spring for the final spot in the starting rotation.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (9-3-2) | New York Yankees (3-7-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Adam Morgan | LHP | C.C. Sabathia | ||
| (1-0, 3.60 ERA) | (0-0, 0.00 ERA) | ||||
Morgan, 26, is coming off of an impressive performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday, March 8, in which he tossed three shutout innings, allowing just one hit and a walk.
The left-hander's Thursday, March 3, outing against the Yankees in split-squad action was not as dominating, however. In two innings, Morgan surrendered two runs—a two-run blast by designated hitter Alex Rodriguez in the bottom of the first—on two hits.
Sabathia, 35, earns his second start of the spring. His first, this past Tuesday against the Miami Marlins in Jupiter, showed signs of his former 2007 American League Cy Young Award-winning self. Sabathia tossed two shutout innings, yielding just one walk and striking out two batters—left fielder Christian Yelich and third baseman Martin Prado.
The 2009 World Series champion is owed $25 million this season. His $25 million 2017 option will vest if the following contract stipilations are satisfied, according to Baseball-Reference.com:
— does not end 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury
— does not spend more than 45 days in 2016 on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury
— does not make more than six relief appearances in 2016 because of a left shoulder injury
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (9-3-2) | New York Yankees (3-7-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Peter Bourjos | R | 1 | CF | Jacoby Ellsbury | L |
| 2 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | LF | Aaron Hicks | S |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | DH | Carlos Beltran | S |
| 4 | DH | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 1B | Mark Teixeira | S |
| 5 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R | 5 | C | Brian McCann | L |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | 3B | Chase Headley | S |
| 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 7 | 2B | Starlin Castro | R |
| 8 | LF | Emmanuel Burriss | S | 8 | SS | Didi Gregorius | L |
| 9 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 9 | RF | Chris Denorfia | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: YES, MLB.TV
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP, WFAN 660/101.9 FM
Game Notes:
- First baseman Ryan Howard is batting just .067/.125/.258 this spring with one hit, a two-run RBI-double against former teammate Kyle Kendrick on Friday, March 11. In 21 career plate appearances against Sabathia, Howard is 5-19 (.263) with two doubles, one run-batted-in, one walk and 10 strikeouts.
- Phillies rotation hopeful, right-hander Jerad Eickhoff, threw in a minor-league intrasquad game on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in two innings. Eickhoff has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring due to suffering a fractured right thumb in a bunting drill a week before camp began.
- Veteran right-handers Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton, who are expected to fill-out two-fifths of the starting rotation, will throw at the Phillies' minor-league complex in Clearwater, according to CSNPhilly.com. Both missed their latest start due to experiencing "flu-like symptoms." Reliever Jeanmar Gomez will also get work at the facility on Sunday.
What's Next:
- Monday, March 14, 2016: at Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
- Sarasota – Ed Smith Stadium
- RHP Alec Asher (2-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: 105.7 The Fan, MLB.com
- Tuesday, March 15, 2016: at Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 p.m.
- Port Charlotte – Charlotte Sports Park
- RHP Aaron Nola (0-1, 11.57 ERA) vs. LHP Drew Smyly (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: MLB.com
- Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Off day
