Philliedelphia

Phillies Roster Projections, 3/27

Let this sink in for a moment- tomorrow is the last Grapefruit League game, and on Friday the Phillies will be in Philadelphia.

Ok, enough of that. Yesterday I put out a set of roster predictions for every team that will break camp and start next week. Literally nothing has changed with the big league Phillies, so I will simply quote myself on the roster:

• Rotation: Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Kendrick, Lannan.
• Line-Up: Rollins-SS, Revere-CF, Utley-2B, Howard-1B, M. Young-3B, Brown-RF, Mayberry-LF, Kratz-C.
• Bullpen: Papelbon, Adams, Durbin, Bastardo, Horst, Aumont, Valdes. In the running: Stutes
• Bench: Nix, Frandsen, Galvis, Lerud, Inciarte. In the running: Orr, Quintero.
• DL: D. Young.
• Restricted: Ruiz.
• 40 man, inactive: Gillies, Collier, Ruf, Hernandez, Valle, Pettibone, Cloyd, Martin, Stutes, De Fratus, Rosenberg, Diekman, Robles, Savery.

There is nothing different today, and the total roster positions open is still probably down to about 3. You have the Stutes-Aumont battle, the Lerud-Quintero battle, and the Inciarte-Orr battle, while there is also the question of who plays left field on Opening Day.

The drama is shifting to the minors, where there are lots of battles still ongoing. The IronPigs won yesterday's game to break a losing streak, and they'll break camp on Saturday. On Tuesday they'll host the Reading Fightin' Phils in an exhibition game, then they open Thursday. They're also going to have a cool urinal game system. I digress though. Their rotation appears to be nearly set too, according to the front office, which along with their workout groups, pretty much sets this team as nearly done.

• Rotation: Cloyd, Pettibone, Martin, Rosenberg, Morgan. In the running: Cochran, Bass.
• Line-Up: Gillies-CF, Hernandez-2B, Mitchell-RF, Ruf-LF, Asche-3B, Joseph-C, Overbeck-DH,  Field-1B, Martinez-SS.
• Bullpen: Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Friend, Savery, Jimenez, Cochran. In the running: Bass, Hyatt.
• Bench: Orr, Quintero, Tolbert, Susdorf.
• DL: Bass, Blanco.

With the rotation fairly set, the question is how the Phillies will stash Bass, Cochran, and Hyatt. I think they'll DL one of Bass and Cochran, stick the other in the bullpen, and send Hyatt to Reading. Leandro Castro is also a big issue here, as he probably will get sent down too if the Pigs don't DL Tolbert. Hernandez played yesterday, so he will not get DL'ed. Andres Blanco is totally inactive, so expect him to be DL'ed.

AA:

• Rotation: Biddle, Buchanan, Garcia, Wright, Colvin. In the running: Hyatt.
• Line-Up: Collier-CF, Hanzawa-SS, Welty-RF, Murphy-1B, Castro-LF, Valle-C/DH, Rupp-DH/C, Abreu-3B, Cartwright-2B.
• Bullpen: Simon, Robles, Rosin, Ramirez, Hyatt, Sosa, Ellis. In the running: Johnson.
• Bench: Suomi, Murphy, Mitchell, Hewitt. In the running: Henson.
• DL: Johnson, Henson, James.

Jiwan James is out until July, which makes the Castro move easier here. That staff has talent, which will be interesting to watch, and the bullpen should be fun at the back-end too. The offense will be the question mark. Colvin making this team does cause down the line changes too.

A- Clearwater:

• Rotation: Hollands, Garner, Stewart, Kleven, Milner.
• Line-Up: Hudson-CF, Altherr-RF, Alvarez-LF, Franco-3B/DH, Martinez-1B/DH/3B, Alonso-1B/3B/DH, Ludy-C, Villalobos-SS, Carver-2B.
• Bullpen: Arias, Shreve, O'Sullivan, Murray, Nesseth, Hernandez, Giles.
• Bench: Lavin, Roof, Stassi, Moore.
• DL: Dugan, Stumpo. 

There's a lot of talent in that line-up. I'm really intrigued about Dugan, though he's not going to start the season. This takes us to Lakewood, where I show no changes from yesterday, so:

• Rotation: Watson, Warner, Brady, Stefan, Martinez.
• Line-Up: Quinn-SS, Tocci-OF, Walding-3B, Serritella-1B, Pointer-OF, Greene-2B, Hill-C, Perkins-OF, Arthur-DH.
• Bullpen: Inch, Santos, Rojas, Broussard, Aizenstadt, Cooper, Oviedo.
• Bench: Quaranto, Olmo, Taylor, Mora.
• DL: Numata, Carmona.

With that, I think we're set for another day.

Phillies Pitching Shines In 4-1 Win Over Detroit

The Phillies played their second-to-last game in Florida this afternoon as they took on the Tigers. Cole Hamels and Justin Verlander got the start, six days before both are set to start on Opening Day. 

The Phillies got out to an early lead in the first as Michael Young sac-flied to score Ben Revere, who reached on an error to lead off the ball game.

Kevin Frandsen would leave the game in the top of the third after getting hit by a Justin Verlander pitch. Frandsen is okay, but he has a huge welt and imprints of stitches on his wrist.

Cole Hamels would only pitch three innings today, scaling back to get ready for Opening Day. The Phillies' lefty allowed a hit and a walk along with three K's.

Ender Inciarte improved his chances of staying on the roster with an RBI single that scored Carlos Ruiz in the fourth inning. Although Inciarte is batting .286 this spring, it was his first RBI so far. Inciarte is strong in the outfield, which is why the big league club likes him so much.

The Tigers would get on the board in the bottom half of the sixth with an Austin Jackson sac-fly that scored Alex Avila. That run would be the only one the Tigers scored as the Phillies scored two-runs in the top of the seventh on a Michael Young RBI groundout and a bases loaded walk. 4-1 Phillies.

Cole Hamels, Chad Durbin, Zach Miner (allowed the earned run on two hits), Antonio Bastardo, Brandon Erbe, and Chris Nichols pitched this afternoon. All together, the Phillies' pitching held the Tigers to three hits while striking out seven. 

The Phillies will play the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow in Clearwater before headed to Citizens Bank Park for their On-Deck Series with the Blue Jays. The game starts at 1:05 PM tomorrow.

Final: Phillies 4, Tigers 1

WP: Cole Hamels (3-0)

LP: Justin Verlander (1-3)

2B: PHI - J. Mayberry, M. Young ; DET - T. Hunter.

RBI: PHI - M. Young 2 (14), E. Inciarte 1 (1) ; DET - A. Jackson 1, (7)

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

Hamels, Verlander Square Off In Hamels' Final Spring Training Game Before Regular Season

Spring training has finally come to an end for Cole Hamels, who makes his final preparation today. The Phillies will face the Detroit Tigers before they come to their Clearwater home to host the Blue Jays at Bright House Field one last time and then for their On-Deck Series at Citizens Bank Park. Yesterday, the Phillies routed the Rays, 10-1 behind the bats of Domonic Brown and Freddy Galvis. Brown went 3-for-4, scored two runs, and drove in an RBI in the win.

This afternoon  Cole Hamels (2-0, 1.13 ERA) will make his fifth start of the spring, six days before he makes his first Opening Day start of his career. Hamels has been spectacular this spring, holding opposing batters to a .182 avg. in 16 innings of work. In his last start, against Boston on Thursday, Hamels allowed an earned run on four hits through six innings. Hamels walked two and struck out five while receiving the no-decision. The Phillies went on to lose the game, 6-1. 

Justin Verlander (1-2, 4.74 ERA) will oppose as he makes his sixth start of the spring. Just like Hamels, Verlander will be making his last start before Opening Day. Verlander began his spring in good form, but over his last two starts he has allowed 9 earned runs. His last start, against Houston on Thursday, Verlander surrendered four earned runs on six hits and three home runs. The 2012 Cy Young and MVP Award winner has pitched against the Phillies before this spring, back on February 24th. He allowed an earned run on three hits through two innings in that start.

Game Notes:

• Spring training is finally over after today!
• Ben Revere will lead off for the second straight game.
• Charlie Manuel is back in the dugout after taking a day off yesterday for dental work.

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Kevin Frandsen 3B
3. Michael Young DH
4. Laynce Nix 1B
5. Chooch C
6. Pete Orr 2B
7. John Mayberry Jr. RF
8. Freddy Galvis SS
9. Ender Inciarte LF

Cole Hamels will start today's game.

Tigers lineup: 

1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Torii Hunter RF
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder DH
5. Victor Martinez 1B
6. Matt Tuiasosopo LF
7. Jhonny Peralta SS
8. Alex Avila C
9. Omar Infante 2B

Justin Verlander will start today's game.

Gametime Forecast: 59°F - Sunny - 0%PoP

TV: ESPN
Radio: None

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

Raul Valdes Starts, Ryne Sandberg Manages, And Freddy Galvis Plays Left Field Against Rays

 

The Phillies were crushed yesterday, 13-4 at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays. John Lannan was lit up for 12 earned runs on 14 hits through four innings in yesterday's ball game. Lannan's response to his horrific start?

"Got my butt kicked, gotta move on." 

Great response and attitude. Given that it is still spring training and it's his only terrible start so far, there's no question that Lannan will rebound from this start.

Today the Phillies will host the Tampa Bay Rays for their second-to-last Grapefruit League game. Raul Valdes (1-0, 4.40 ERA) will make his second start this spring. Almost a shoe-in for a bullpen spot, the Phillies are most likely giving Valdes the start to prep the regular rotation for the beginning of the season. In Valdes' last start, back on March 16th against the Yankees, he went three innings while allowing just three hits. Since then, he has made one other appearance, an inning in relief on Friday against Atlanta. Valdes allowed one home run and struck out a batter in his inning of work. 

Opposing Valdes and the Phils will be 32-year-old Roberto Hernandez (0-1, 3.00). Hernandez will make his sixth start of the spring, his first against the Phillies. In Hernandez's last outing, a six-inning bout against Toronto, the right-hander allowed an earned run on three hits while striking out two. Despite being given a no-decision, Hernandez has been great for the Rays so far this spring. Allowing just 7 ER in 21 innings along with a .213 BAA, Hernandez has also given up just five walks.

Game Notes:

• Ryne Sandberg will manage today's game as Charlie Manuel gets dental work done today.
• Freddy Galvis (.288, 2 HR, 8 RBI in 66 AB) will play in left field today, showing his fielding versatility.
• Ben Revere will lead off today's ball game after Jimmy Rollins led off yesterday's game.

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Domonic Brown RF
6. Kevin Frandsen 3B
7. Pete Orr DH
8. Freddy Galvis LF
9. Humberto Quintero C

Raul Valdes will start today's game.

Rays lineup:

1. Sean Rodriguez CF
2. Mike Fontenot 2B
3. Ryan Roberts 3B
4. Shelley Duncan 1B
5. Jose Labaton C
6. Drew Vettleson RF
7. Vince Belnome DH
8. Jason Bourgeois LF
9. Shawn O'Malley SS

Roberto Hernandez will start today's game.

TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: None

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

3/26 Phillies Roster Projections

Another day, another day closer to Opening Day. Today's the day we'll find out about Aaron Cook's future here, as he'll either make the team, be sent to AAA and get $100,000 in bonus money, or walk away from camp. I hope he stays, and don't think he will. If he goes the way of our old friend Yuniesky Betancourt, it's worth noting that Betancourt ended yesterday unemployed still.

Beyond that, the battles are very, very clear now. There's Cook-Valdes, which is likely to be settled today. If Cook wins, expect a 40 man move as well, so there's two losers. Then there's the Aumont-Stutes battle, which kind of goes hand in hand with the other. Then of course, you have the Quintero-Lerud battle, which is coming down to the finish, closer than expected. Finally there's the Inciarte-Orr-nameless pick-up battle for the last outfield spot.

With all of that said, here's the roster projection:

• Rotation: Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Kendrick, Lannan.
• Line-Up: Rollins-SS, Revere-CF, Utley-2B, Howard-1B, M. Young-3B, Brown-RF, Mayberry-LF, Kratz-C.
• Bullpen: Papelbon, Adams, Durbin, Bastardo, Horst, Aumont, Valdes. In the running: Stutes, Cook.
• Bench: Nix, Frandsen, Galvis, Lerud, Inciarte. In the running: Orr, Quintero.
• DL: D. Young.
• Restricted: Ruiz.
• 40 man, inactive: Gillies, Collier, Ruf, Hernandez, Valle, Pettibone, Cloyd, Martin, Stutes, De Fratus, Rosenberg, Diekman, Robles, Savery.

The big story here is that Lerud now beats out Quintero because he had a better spring. Cook narrowly misses and stays off the 40 man, since he'll get the bonus either way and it makes no sense to give him a spot.

This takes me down to AAA. The Morning Call's "Hog Blog" has their roster projection up. Phuture Phillies is up with the last set of workout groups. Here's my version of AAA, Lehigh Valley:

• Rotation: Cloyd, Pettibone, Martin, Cochran, Hyatt. In the running: Cook, Morgan, Bass.
• Line-Up: Gillies-CF, Orr-2B, J. Mitchell-RF, Ruf-LF, Asche-3B, Joseph-C, Overbeck-1B, Fields-DH, Martinez-SS.
• Bullpen: Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Rosenberg, Savery, Jimenez, Friend.
• Bench: Castro, Quintero, Susdorf, Tolbert.
• DL: Hernandez. 

There's a lot of buzz that Morgan will make this team, but I'm in the doubting camp. He wasn't up in Reading that long last summer, and I don't see them rushing him right now. It's hard to tell who comes back ready to go between Martinez, Hernandez, and Tolbert, as all are shelved right now, but I doubt that even two of them go to the DL. 

Now AA:

• Rotation: Morgan, Biddle, Buchanan, Garcia, Wright. In the running: Colvin.
• Line-Up: Collier-CF, Hanzawa-SS, Welty-RF, Murphy-1B, Valle-C/DH, Rupp-DH/C, Mitchell-LF, Abreu-3B, Cartwright-2B. 
• Bullpen: Simon, Robles, Ramirez, Ellis, Rosin, Sosa, Johnson.
• Bench: Suomi, Murphy, Henson, Hewitt.
• DL: James, Duran.

My sense here is that the offense is a little down compared to last year, but they have some talent. I'm putting Valle and Rupp in as regulars because I don't think they'll sit one regularly, although sometimes you'll see Hewitt or Suomi DH, and the other sit as a back-up catcher.

So then, A ball in Clearwater:

• Rotation: Colvin, Hollands, Garner, Stewart, Kleven.
• Line-Up: Hudson-CF, Altherr-RF, Alvarez-LF, Franco-3B, Martinez-DH/1B, Alonso-1B/DH, Ludy-C, Villalobos-SS, Carver-2B.
• Bullpen: Arias, Shreve, Milner, O'Sullivan, Murray, Nesseth, Hernandez.
• Bench: Moore, Roof, Stassi, Lavin,
• DL: Dugan, Stumpo.

Lot of talent here, I would hardly be shocked to see some of it in AA this season. The offense is pretty good, the staff has guys who are ready for the next step, and there's actually going to be some decent guys not starting everyday.

Finally, A ball in Lakewood:

• Rotation: Watson, Warner, Brady, Stefan, Martinez.
• Line-Up: Quinn-SS, Tocci-OF, Walding-3B, Serritella-1B, Pointer-OF, Greene-2B, Hill-C, Perkins-OF, Arthur-DH.
• Bullpen: Inch, Santos, Rojas, Broussard, Aizenstadt, Cooper, Oviedo.
• Bench: Quaranto, Olmo, Taylor, Mora.
• DL: Numata, Carmona.

That's all for today. The workout groups seem to be pretty telling.

Lannan Lit Up by Blue Jays, Phils Crushed, 13-4

With one week left of spring training, the Phillies and Blue Jays squared off once again this afternoon in Dunedin. John Lannan took the hill, and did not have an easy outing.

Lannan had no alibis for giving up a dozen. "Got my butt kicked. Gotta move on." Good plan.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) 

There's the gist of it. In four innings today, Lannan gave up 12 earned runs on 14 hits. He also walked one and struck out two.

Toronto scored eight runs in the second inning. In order, here are the scoring plays:

• Mark DeRosa RBI single, J.P. Arencibia scores.
• Rajai Davis RBI single, DeRosa scores.
• Jose Reyes two-run triple, Colby Rasmus and Davis scores.
• Melky Cabrera RBI single, Reyes scores.
• J. P. Arencibia three-run homer, Cabrera and Bautista score.

In the bottom of the third, Reyes brought home another run on an RBI single. Arencibia smacked another home run in the bottom of the fourth, a two-run homer to right. If you're keeping up, it was 11-0 by the fourth inning.

With Zach Miner in for the fifth inning, Melky Cabrera took him deep for a solo homer to center field. After Miner's inning, Mike Adams, Phillippe Aumont, and Kyle Simon kept it a 13-0 ballgame.

The Phillies finally scored a few runs in the top of the ninth inning. Laynce Nix scored on a single from Steven Susdorf, followed by an RBI double from Kevin Frandsen. Erik Kratz singled two plate two more runs. 13-4 would be the final this afternoon.

The Phils will face the Rays tomorrow afternoon in Clearwater at 1:05. 

John Lannan, Josh Johnson Square Off One Week Left Until Opening Day

We are in the final week of spring training and in one week's time, every game played will matter. The Phillies will be in Atlanta on April 1st, but before they head down south they will stop at Citizens Bank Park for a three-game On-Deck Series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Today John Lannan (1-1, 3.21 ERA) will take on Josh Johnson (3-0, 1.69 ERA) and the Blue Jays. Following yesterday's loss to Boston, the Phillies are 13-14 so far this spring.

John Lannan has been pretty good so far this spring. In his last start, a five-inning start against Tampa Bay, Lannan allowed just two hits while surrendering a walk. Lannan also K'd four Rays en route to a no-decision. Lannan will be making his fifth start of the spring. Posting a 3.21 ERA (5 ER in 14 IP) and recording a few strike outs per outing, Lannan is most likely going to be the fifth man in the Phils' rotation in 2013. With Hamels in the first spot, Halladay will take shotgun to allow Cliff Lee and Hamels to be split (both are left-handers). Kyle Kendrick and Lannan would follow to allow a smooth alternative in the rotation. 

Opposing Lannan and the Phillies will be former-Miami Marlin Josh Johnson. Johnson has proved strong and able so far, posting a 3-0 record and a 1.69 ERA (2 ER in 10 1/2 IP). In Johnson's last start, back on March 14 against the Yankees, the righthander allowed two hits, one being a home run, while striking out five over three innings. Johnson is looking to sweep 2012 under the rug - as most Marlin players, and fans are this season- after posting an 8-14 record with a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts last year. Johnson, along with SS Jose Reyes, LHP Mark Burhle, C John Buck, and OF Emilio Bonafacio were traded to the Blue Jays in December in a blockbuster 12-player deal. No longer a problem in Miami, the Phillies will take on the Blue Jays today and this weekend only.

Game Notes:

• Jimmy Rollins will lead off in today's game after Ben Revere led off yesterday.
• Chase Utley will DH instead of playing second today.
• Josh Johnson held the Phillies to .232/.291/.347 in four starts last season.

Phillies lineup:

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

John Lannan will start today's game.

Blue Jays lineup:

1. Jose Reyes SS 
2. Melky Cabrera LF
3. Jose Bautista RF
4. J.P. Arencibia C
5. Adam Lind 1B
6. Mark DeRosa 3B
7. Colby Rasmus CF
8. Rajai Davis DH
9. Emilio Bonifacio 2B
   

Josh Johnson will start today's game.

TV: Today's game will not be on TV
Radio: MLB.com

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

Phillies Roster Projections 3/25

Well, one can't accuse Ruben Amaro of not doing anything. The Phillies are essentially down to just one decision. Here's the news:

• The Phillies have cut Yuniesky Betancourt. No shock there. There just wasn't 40 man room to add him. Besides, Galvis played well enough this spring that using an option on him would be stupid.
• Virtual lock to make Reading's rotation, and one of the most impressive pitchers (numbers wise) in the organization up until the middle of last year, Julio Rodriguez was traded. This is a surprise to me. The Phillies picked up outfielder Ronnie Welty from Baltimore's system in the deal, who hit 13 homers over 213 at-bats in AA or lower.
• Doc didn't pitch good yesterday, and Amaro was quiet about it afterwards. I'm concerned about him.

In a spring that has been better than not, about the only two things that haven't been "on schedule" were Ruf and Halladay. Otherwise, you have to be happy overall. 

The last decision remaining is on Aaron Cook really. I prefer they keep him, however they need to do it. I expect they won't.

So here's my roster projection:

• Rotation: Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Kendrick, Lannan.
• Line-Up: Rollins-SS, Revere-CF, Utley-2B, Howard-1B, Young-3B, Brown-RF, Mayberry-LF,  Kratz-C.
• Bullpen: Papelbon, Adams, Durbin, Bastardo, Aumont, Horst, Valdes. In the running: Cook, Stutes.
• Bench: Frandsen, Galvis, Nix, Inciarte, Quintero.
• DL: D. Young.
• Restricted: Ruiz.
• 40 Man, Inactive: Hernandez, Valle, Collier, Gillies, Ruf, Pettibone, Martin, Cloyd, Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Rosenberg, Robles, Savery.

I think things are pretty well set. Cook and Stutes are still in camp, and therefore in competition, but the jobs are settled for the most part. With Betancourt gone, I think Inciarte's a safe bet to start the year on the team, barring a move still to come in the next week. 

So with that, the Iron Pigs and Reading could be effected by the Rodriguez trade, not only because his spot in Reading's rotation is open, but also because Willey is likely to be assigned to AA. My guess is that he doesn't change the Iron Pigs:

• Rotation: Cloyd, Pettibone, Martin, Cochran, Bass. In the running: Cook, Morgan.
• Line-Up: Gillies-CF, J. Mitchell-RF, Ruf-LF, Joseph-C, Fields-3B, Overbeck-1B, Blanco-SS, Orr-2B, Mitchell-DH.
• Bullpen: Stutes, De Fratus, Diekman, Rosenberg, Robles, Savery, Jimenez.
• Bench: Lerud, Martinez, Susdorf, Tolbert.
• DL: Hernandez.

So a couple things here. I really, really wouldn't mind seeing the Phillies start Morgan out here, but I doubt it, especially after the trade. He'll start in AA I think, then make the move up. I'm going to swap in Tolbert due to Hernandez injury.

AA:

• Rotation: Morgan, Hyatt, Biddle, Buchanan, Wright. In the running: Colvin, Hollands, Garner.
• Line-Up: Collier-CF, Castro-LF, Asche-3B, Murphy-1B, Willey-RF, Valle-C, Hewitt-DH, Murphy-2B, Hanzawa-SS.
• Bullpen: Friend, Simon, Ramirez, Hollands, Lafferty, Shreve, Ellis.
• Bench: Suomi, Abreu, Alvarez, Gallagher.
• DL: James.

Alonso comes up at least while James is out. I put Wright in for now, edging out the other options for the fifth spot in the rotation. The first three in the bullpen could be interchangeable with Jimenez in AAA.

A: 

• Rotation: Colvin, Garner, Garcia, Stewart, Kleven.
• Line-Up: Altherr-RF, Hudson-CF, Franco-3B, Martinez-1B, Rupp-C, Alonso-DH, Lavin-LF, Cartwright-2B, Duran-SS.
• Bullpen: Sosa, Rosin, O'Sullivan, Whatcott, Nerris, Johnson, Murray.
• Bench: Hill, Serritella, Perkins, Stassi.
• DL: Dugan, Pointer.

Honestly, this is a real guess at  some spots. It's hard to predict this team without knowing the first two. 

Utley, Howard Homer Again in 7-6 Loss to Boston

The rain and wind wouldn't stop this afternoon's ballgame in Clearwater against Shane Victorino and the Red Sox. Cliff Lee took the hill today in what was his second to last start of spring training.

After a scoreless first, Cliff allowed a few runs to score in the top of the second. Will Middlebrooks and Johnny Gomes scored on a three-run homer off the bat of Jackie Bradley. 3-0 Sox.

Three more runs scored in the top of the third. Victorino and Middlebrooks both scored on a fielding error by Jimmy Rollins, and to follow, Mike Napoli was able to score on a sac fly from Bradley out to center field.

The Phillies got a few runs back in the bottom of the third. Ben Revere singled to center to score Humberto Quintero. Later in the inning, Revere scored on a single from Chase Utley. 6-2 Sox.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Chase Utley made it a 6-3 game after bringing home Revere with a single, once again.

After 5.1 innings, Cliff Lee's afternoon was complete. He allowed six runs (four were earned) to score on nine hits, walking none and striking out seven. Jonathan Papelbon finished the inning for Cliff and allowed one hit. Michael Stutes came in for the seventh inning, walking one and allowing one hit.

For the second straight day, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hit back-to-back home runs. In the bottom of the eighth, Utley made it a 6-5 game with a two-run homer to left, followed by a solo jack from Howard, tying the game at 6. 

In the top of the ninth with Jeremy Horst in, Shannon Wilkerson drove home Xander Bogaerts with a single to third giving Boston a 7-6 lead.

The Phils couldn't come back in the bottom of the inning, dropping this game, 7-6.

The Phillies will head to Dunedin tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 to take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

Phils Crush Five Homers Against Baltimore in 13-4 Victory

A gorgeous day in Sarasota, Florida brought about an onslaught of hits and runs against the Baltimore Orioles. Aaron Cook started this afternoon's ballgame against Wei-Yin Chen.

The Phils took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With Jimmy Rollins on base, Chase Utley launched his first home run of this game over the wall in left field. Ryan Howard followed with a solo home run to left.

In the top of the third with two men on, Domonic Brown singled to bring home Rollins. To follow, Michael Young was able to score on a single from John Mayberry. 5-0 Phils.

With Ben Revere on base in the top of the fourth, Utley went yard again to make it a 7-0 ballgame. Later in the inning with Young and Howard on base, Domonic Brown crushed a ball to send it over the wall in left for a three-run homer. 10-0 Phillies.

The Orioles put up two runs in their half of the fourth after J.J. Hardy doubled to bring home Chris Davis and Matt Wieters. 10-2.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Aaron Cook was taken out for Phillippe Amount. Cook's line: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K. Aumont struck out his only batter in the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth with Aumont still on the mound, Brian Roberts was able to score on a wild pitch. Phillies still leading, 10-3.

With two men on base in the top of the seventh, Yuniesky Betancourt sent them home with a three-run homer to left, making it the fifth homer of the afternoon. 13-3 Phils.

Antonio Bastardo pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh, striking out one. Mike Adams came in for the bottom of the eighth and allowed one run to score; Jason Pridie scored on a double from Ryan Flaherty. 13-4 ballgame.

J.C. Ramirez came in for the Phils to close it out. Ramirez collected the first two outs before allowing three straight singles to load the bases. The game ended on a pop-up which sent the Phils to a 13-4 win.

Boston will play the Phillies a visit tomorrow afternoon in Clearwater at 1:05.