Phillies name starters for games 3 and 4 of spring training Grapefruit League action

The Philadelphia Phillies began their 2024 spring training schedule with a wild 14-13 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. The Phillies plated 10 runs in a fifth inning that was highlighted by a three-run homer by Matt Kroon and two RBI apiece from Johan Rojas and Weston Wilson.

The offensive onslaught would ultimately be the difference and helped the Phillies come back from an early 7-4 deficit. It was a rough day on the mound for Phillies pitchers, as starter Kolby Allard allowed two earned runs to go along with two walks and three strikeouts while allowing two hits during his two innings of work.

Nick Nelson did very little to make a case for rejoining the Phillies bullpen as the righty was shelled in two innings of work. Michael Mercardo was also roughed up in 2/3 of an inning on the mound, allowing three hits and three earned runs in addition to a walk and a strikeout.

On Sunday, the Phillies’ pitchers sharpened things up with an impressive combined 13-strikeout performance against the New York Yankees in a 4-0 victory at BayCare Ballpark.

Rob Thomson announces his starters for games 3 and 4 of spring training

The Phillies have announced starters for the next couple of games as the Grapefruit League schedule will see them face off as the road team against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Monday and the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium on Tuesday. Both stadiums are located in Fort Myers, a more than two-hour drive down the coast.

Per John Foley of PHLY Sports, recently signed pitcher David Buchanan will toe the rubber when the Phillies face the Red Sox on Monday. Buchanan is back stateside after spending seven years pitching professionally in Asia following his previous two-year stint with the Phillies from 2014 to 2015. He will attempt to make his way back to the big leagues with a good showing in spring training.

Tuesday will see Cristopher Sánchez make his spring debut as the lefty will make the start versus the Twins. Sánchez remains the favorite to claim the No. 5 spot in the rotation after surprisingly spending the majority of last season in the Phillies starting rotation. The 27-year-old went 3-5 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 99 1/3 innings during the regular season but only appeared in 2 1/3 postseason innings.