New York Yankees at Phillies
By Matt Veasey
For the 3rd time in 4 days, the Phillies (1-1-1) will face off in 2015 Grapefruit League action against the New York Yankees this afternoon. The 1:05pm game will be played at Bright House Field in Clearwater, and will be televised live in the local Philly market on The Comcast Network (TCN) as well as on the MLB Network.
For Phillies fans and scouts from across baseball, the big story today will be the spring debut of lefty ace Cole Hamels, who as our own David Mosemann covered just this morning has been the subject of unrelenting trade rumors all during the Hot Stove off-season period.
In a sub-plot, two of the Phils top relief pitchers are also scheduled to make their first appearances of the spring. Righthander Ken Giles, who many see as the heir apparent at closer, possibly as soon as this season if Jonathan Papelbon is dealt, and lefthander Jake Diekman, should each be taking the mound for the Fightins.
In two games earlier this week the teams battled to a 5-5 tie on Tuesday in Clearwater, and then the Phils downed the Yanks by 3-1 on Wednesday in Tampa.
For the Yankees, this is a split-squad day, so the Bronx Bombers have split their big stars between the two games. Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, and C.C. Sabathia will be playing in their other game on Friday night vs. the Pirates.
This time around against the Phillies, the Yanks will be arriving at Clearwater with their entire starting infield of 1st baseman Mark Teixiera, 2nd baseman Stephen Drew, shortstop Didi Gregorius, and 3rd baseman Chase Headley. Also playing will be their prospect slugger Aaron Judge, whose 2-out homer forced the tie on Tuesday.
On the mound for New York will be 23-year old Bryan Mitchell, who is likely ticketed for the minors, but is battling for a role in the Yankees bullpen as well. The Yanks 16th round selection in the 2009 Amateur Draft, Mitchell made his MLB debut with three appearances late last season. In his only MLB start, Mitchell took a loss in the 2nd game of a September 12th doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Phillies will be staying in Clearwater on Saturday for a 1:05pm game against the Toronto Blue Jays that will again be televised by both TCN and MLB Network. On Sunday, the Phils travel to Port Charlotte to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a game that will not be televised. Both games will also be available locally on 1210 WPHT-AM and 94 WIP-FM radio.