How to watch Phillies first spring training game: Live stream, lineups
By John Town
The Phillies start their slate of spring training games Thursday with their annual exhibition matchup against the University of Tampa.
It’s time, Phillies fans. The first game of spring training is here. The team’s schedule of games in Florida starts off with their annual matchup against the University of Tampa.
The game can be watched here on the team’s official website. The live stream starts 15 minutes before the game starts.
Jerad Eickhoff is scheduled to start, but the team could use as many as nine pitchers in the game. The starting lineup features a few players expected to be on the roster on Opening Day as well as some of the team’s top prospects:
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- C Andrew Knapp
- SS J.P. Crawford
- 1B Tommy Joseph
- LF Nick Williams
- 2B Scott Kingery
- 3B Adam Rosales
- RF Dylan Cozens
- DH Logan Moore
- CF Danny Ortiz
Knapp batting leadoff is an interesting idea. He definitely doesn’t have the speed of a typical leadoff hitter, but manager Gabe Kapler isn’t typical.
Knapp does get on base at a high rate, something Kapler and the club vehemently supports. This could be something that carries over to the regular season.
Kapler opted to start several of his young players from last year’s major-league roster in Knapp, Crawford, and Williams, but Rhys Hoskins was left out in exchange for Joseph. Joseph’s chances of making the major-league roster are slim this year, especially considering that there will be eight relievers on the team. Spring training will likely be an audition for Joseph for other teams if he gets traded or released.
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Expect Kingery to get playing time all over the infield this spring besides second base. Cesar Hernandez is firmly blocking him at second, but Kingery could edge out Maikel Franco at third if his struggles continue.
The bottom half of the lineup features a few non-roster invitees and Cozens, whose 40-home run season in 2016 launched him into top prospect consideration. However, 2017 was a step back as he struck out more than 35% of the time. He is looking for a major bounceback this year.
Rosales is the only NRI in the lineup with a chance to make the major-league roster.
He could be the utility infielder, but he is competing with Pedro Florimon and Ryan Flaherty. Moore and Ortiz will likely be minor-league depth players in Triple-A.
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Even though the University of Tampa is a Division II school, they are one of the top schools in the division. They beat the Phillies back in 2015, but that shouldn’t repeat itself with some major-leaguers expected to play.