Phillies to face 5 teams in revised spring training schedule

Spring training is just days away for the Philadelphia Phillies. Pitchers and catchers will report on Tuesday, February 16, before their first workout the next day. The following Monday, February 22, will mark the first full-squad workout.

Six days later, the Phillies will take the field for their first live game action since the disappointing end to the 2020 season in late September, in which they fell one win short of the postseason.

In an effort to reduce travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball has adjusted spring training schedules for its Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues to “pods.” The revised 2021 Phillies spring training schedule was announced on Friday. Manager Joe Girardi‘s squad will play 14 games at home and 14 on the road, starting Sunday, February 28. Twelve of their 14 home games will be televised.

The Phillies will only play five teams as part of their revised spring slate: the Baltimore Orioles (none away, one home), Detroit Tigers (four away, four home), New York Yankees (four away, four home), Pittsburgh Pirates (one away, one home), and Toronto Blue Jays (four away, four home).

Revised 2021 Phillies Spring Training Schedule, Week 1:

• Sunday, February 28: at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. — Grapefruit League opener
• Monday, March 1: vs. Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m. —Home opener (NBCSP+)
• Tuesday, March 2: at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 3: at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.
• Thursday, March 4: vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP+)
• Friday, March 5: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP+)
• Saturday, March 6: at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.

Week 2 Schedule:

• Sunday, March 7: at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
• Monday, March 8: Off Day
• Tuesday, March 9: at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 10: vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP+)
• Thursday, March 11: vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP+)
• Friday, March 12: at Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
• Saturday, March 13: vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP)

Week 3 Schedule:

• Sunday, March 14: at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
• Monday, March 15: at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 16: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 17: vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. — St. Patrick’s Day (NBCSP+)
• Thursday, March 18: Off Day
• Friday, March 19: at New York Yankees, 6:35 p.m.
• Saturday, March 20: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP)

Week 4 Schedule:

• Sunday, March 21: vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP)
• Monday, March 22: at New York Yankees, 6:35 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 23: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 6:05 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 24: at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.
• Thursday, March 25: vs. New York Yankees, 6:05 p.m. (NBCSP+)
• Friday, March 26: at Toronto Blue Jays, 6:37 p.m.
• Saturday, March 27: at Detroit Tigers, 1:05 p.m.

Week 5 Schedule:

• Sunday, March 28: vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. (NBCSP)
• Monday, March 29: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m. — Grapefruit League finale (NBCSP+)
• Tuesday, March 30: Off Day
• Wednesday, March 31: Off Day
• Thursday, April 1: Opening Day

This revised schedule shortened the original slate by four games, as well as removed split-squad contests. There is no word yet on which of these games will be televised.

Seeing a full slate of Phillies baseball games on the horizon, albeit them being exhibition contests, definitely brings some much-needed excitement.