Despite being regular opponents during the regular season, the
Phillies and Nationals hardly play each other in the Spring. With
Nationals camp located 149 miles away in Viera, FL, the bus ride is
long. The Phillies tend to play local opponents such as the Blue Jays,
Yankees, Orioles, Pirates, and Tigers for that reason. With an odd
number of teams in Florida sometimes we get lucky. That luck is in the
form of Roy Halladay and Stephen Strasburg today in Clearwater at 1:05
p.m.
Halladay has not totally been his old self thus far in the early
going. Yet, he has been able to pitch out of trouble and has given up
two earned runs in his two outings thus far. Torii Hunter did speak
highly of Halladay after his first start, which was better than the
second.
Strasburg takes the mound for the Nationals after a controversially
short rookie season. Strasburg also has two starts under his belt thus
far. In his two starts he has gone five innings and allowed three
earned runs.
The Phillies will give Darin Ruf a rest today. Ruf has been
scuffling so far this Spring both at the plate and in the field.
Perhaps watching will help Ruf get hungry. Plus, Strasburg could
embarrass him further.
Fans will be disappointed if they were hoping to see former Phillies
outfielder Jayson Werth. Or any other starter for that matter. Of the
starting eight players in the Nationals' lineup, only Denard Span in
today's lineup. Remember the long bus ride? Teams prefer to not give
their players cramps from sitting on a long bus ride.
Phillies Lineup:
1. Ben Revere CF
2. Michael Young 3B
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Dominic Brown LF
6. Laynce Nix DH
7. John Mayberry RF
8. Tommy Joseph C
9. Yuni Betancourt SS
Roy Halladay pitches first.
Nationals Lineup:
1. Denard Span CF
2. Lombo 2B
3. Anthony Rendon SS
4. Tyler Moore DH
5. Corey Brown RF
6. Chris Marrero 1B
7. Carlos Rivero LF
8. Matt Skole 3B
9. Jhonatan Solano C
Strasburg pitches first.
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: None
