Posted by Erik Seybold
There's always a change of plans for the Phillies' starting pitchers in Spring Training. Usually the regular season starters get four to five starts a Spring. Cole Hamels made his fourth yesterday, and it wasn't the prettiest outing. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits in just 3 1/3 innings. Not pretty.
Today, Scott Elarton (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will make his first start of the Spring. Elarton has appeared in three games and completed 8 innings so far in Grapefruit League games, allowing just four earned runs on five hits. Elarton has not pitched in a Major League game since 2008, but his performances this Spring may give him the chance to get on the Phillies Opening Day roster.
Charlie Manuel will send out his lineup against the Tigers' righty Max Scherzer (1-0, 3.38 ERA), who will be making his fourth start this Spring. He will take on an offense that has been somewhat feeble this Spring. The Phillies only scored two runs in yesterday's 10-2 loss to the Blue Jays.
In other news, Chase Utley has left camp in Clearwater to see a knee specialist. Rumors of him being the Opening Day starting second baseman have been thrown out the window. Today, Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. stated that Utley is doubtful to start Opening Day and Freddy Galvis will be the starting second baseman on April 5th in Pittsburgh.
Along with the news of Utley, the Phillies have also released RHP Joel Pineiro. In just three Grapefruit League games, Pineiro totalled a 0-1 record and a 4.50 ERA. The Phillies recently released Dontrelle Willis and it seems that neither of these veterans do not have the stuff that the Phillies are looking for.
Today's Lineup:
Today's lineup vs Detroit:
- Jimmy Rollins SS
- Shane Victorino CF
- Hunter Pence RF
- Jim Thome DH
- Ty Wigginton 3B
- Laynce Nix LF
- John Mayberry 1B
- Chooch C
- Freddy Galvis 2B
- Scott Elarton P.
You can watch the game LIVE on TCN this afternoon.
Erik Seybold is a Contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
