By: Brandon Apter, contributor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (14-9) offense could only produced one run yesterday against the Red Sox in a 5-1 loss that saw starter Jerad Eickhoff get hit hard. Today, the Phils look to get their first win since last Monday as they head to Dunedin for a matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays (16-5).
Though the Phils only scored a run all game, there were some bright spots yesterday, most notably Odubel Herrera (3-3, R) and Cesar Hernandez (2-3). The two of them are likely to be the Phillies 1-2 hitters once the season opens come April 4th against the Reds.
Today, Vince Velasquez, who has officially nabbed the teams' fifth starter role, will get the ball. Marcus Stroman gets his fourth spring start for Toronto.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (14-9) | Toronto Blue Jays (16-5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Marcus Stroman | ||
| (0-0, 3.21 ERA) | (1-0, 2.79 ERA) | ||||
Before today's game, the Phillies optioned Adam Morgan to Triple-A, signaling that Vince Velasquez will win the fifth starter competition. Velasquez hasn't pitched for the Phillies since March 17th, but tossed 5.2 innings in a minor league game back on the 23rd. On the 17th against the Rays in Clearwater, Velasquez tossed five innings of one-run ball, scattering three hits while striking out seven. Six days later in minor league camp, he allowed two runs in 5.2 innings of work, striking out five and walking just one.
Stroman, 24, has looked impressive this spring through three games. After pitching in just four games for Toronto last season due to injury, Stroman is aiming to return to form this season and he's done so thus par in the preseason. Last time out, Stroman threw 4.2 shutout innings against the Red Sox, striking out four. His first start of the spring came against the Phillies back on March 1st. He gave up two runs on three hits in two innings on the mound with one strikeout.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (14-9) | Toronto Blue Jays (16-5) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Kevin Pillar | R |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | 3B | Josh Donaldson | R |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | RF | Jose Bautista | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | SS | Troy Tulowitzki | R |
| 5 | DH | Darin Ruf | R | 5 | DH | Chris Colabello | R |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | 1B | Justin Smoak | S |
| 7 | RF | Cedric Hunter | L | 7 | C | Russell Martin | R |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | LF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 9 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R | 9 | 2B | Ryan Goins | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
- TV: N/A
- Radio: MLB.com
Game Notes:
- Aaron Nola, the Phillies number two starter this season, pitched in a minor league game on Saturday. In 5.1 innings, he gave up one run on six hits and struck out seven.
- Cody Asche saw his first action of the spring on Saturday in a minor league game. He hit a home run in his return while outfield prospect Dylan Cozens belted two homer.
- In three games since returning to the Phillies lineup after being sidelined with a finger injury, Odubel Herrera is 5-for-10 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
- Cedric Hunter is looking more and more like he'll break camp with the team. He starts again today and has four doubles, a triple, three homers and 12 RBI's this spring. He has slumped a bit lately, but in an interview with CSNPhilly.com, Phillies skipper Pete Mackanin expresses his intrigue in Hunter.
- Vince Velasquez has already faced the Blue Jays twice this spring. In six innings, he's allowed four runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
What's Next:
- Tuesday, March 29th, 2016: vs. New York Yankees (SS) at 1:05pm
- Clearwater, FL – Bright House Field
- LHP Adam Morgan (2-0, 2.00 ERA) vs. RHP Masahiro Tanaka (1-1, 7.36 ERA)
- TV: TCN, MLB Network, MLB TV; Radio: N/A
