Roy Halladay, Phillies Take On Drew Smyly, Tigers

After a day off from game play, the Phillies are back in action this afternoon as they host the reigning American League Champion Detroit Tigers. Today Roy Halladay (2-0, 2.16 ERA) will make his fourth start of the spring and his second against the Tigers thus far. Drew Smyly (2-0, 0.00 ERA) will also make his fourth start of the spring and second against the Phillies.

In Halladay's last start,on Wednesday against the Nationals, he proved strong against his NL East Rivals as he powered through four innings all while allowing four two hits. Doc walked a batter and struck out two en route to a winning decision. Back on February 24, Halladay threw two innings against the Tigers allowing a just one hit, a home run to Victor Martinez. Halladay also struck out two in that outing.

Drew Smyly has not failed to impress this so far this spring. In three starts (9 innings pitched), Smyly has allowed just three hits. In his last outing, a winning decision against Atlanta on Thursday, Smyly threw four innings of two-hit ball while striking out four. Back on February 25th Smyly started against the Phillies, yielding one hit over two-outs.

Game Notes:

• The Phillies made five roster cuts this morning: RHP Tyler Cloyd, RHP B.J. Rosenberg, LHP Mauricio Robles, OF Tyson Gilles, C Sebastain Valle.
• Defensive switch: Chase Utley will DH and Kevin Frandsen will play 2B most likely due to wet field.
  
• Jimmy Rollins and Team USA will take on Team Puerto Rico this evening at 8 PM in Pool 2 of the World Baseball Classic.

Phillies Lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Kevin Frandsen 2B
3. Chase Utley DH
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. John Mayberry Jr. RF
8. Erik Kratz C
9. Yuneski Betancourt SS

Roy Halladay will start today's game.

Tigers Lineup:

1. Quintin Berry CF
2. Brennan Boesch LF
3. Andy Dirks RF
4. Victor Martinez 1B
5. Alex Avila C
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Don Kelly 3B
8. Ramon Santiago 2B
9. Brayan Pena DH

Drew Smyly will start today's game.

TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: None

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.