IS TAKING DOC TO SEE THE DOC
Finally, some daylight, both literally and figuratively. After a wet, windy and cool week here in Clearwater, the sun is out, the thermometer is creeping toward 60 degrees, and Rich Dubee has posted his pitching probables for the first week of exhibition play.
The games are almost here, which means we'll finally get a chance to see some of the Phillies' pitchers in action against opposing hitters. Dubee reiterated his philosophy earlier this week when he joined us on Daily News Live, saying that he looks at each pitcher's first appearance as a mulligan. Starters will be held to under 50 pitches as they continue to stretch their arms out and regain their feel for their repetoires.
Here is a look at the probables for Week 1:
Wednesday, March 3, vs. Florida State
HIGHLIGHTS: A chance to see some of the team's young pitchers in action against the Seminoles. Aumont is the big righty whom the team acquired in the Cliff Lee deal, while Flande had good success last season in the minors. Savery is the 2007 first round draft pick, while Sanchez is a converted catcher who thrived last season in his first year as a pitcher. Herndon is a Rule 5 pick with a heavy sinker.
Thursday, March 4, vs. Yankees
HIGHLIGHTS: Halladay makes his debut against a team he knows very well, while we get our first look at Contreras, the hard-throwing righty who will be facing the team who signed him out of Cuba.
Friday, March 5 at Blue Jays
HIGHLIGHTS: Cole Hamels sees his first action of the spring. Much of the focus will be on his secondary pitches -- Hamels has been tinkering with a cutter in addition to his curveball -- but don't expect to see too much in his first start. Ramirez is the talented but raw righty the Phillies acquired along with Aumont and Tyson Gillies for Cliff Lee, while Vogelsong is looking to return to the majors after three years in Japan. Bastardo has as good of a shot as any young reliever to crack the Opening Day roster, but the Phillies will be watching closely the command of his slider.
Friday, March 5, at Blue Jays (B Game)
HIGHLIGHTS: Moyer makes his surprising return to the mound after a hellish offseason in which he had surgery on his abdomen and knee, and was hospitalized twice for complications. Mathieson is attempting to bounce back from two elbow surgeries.
Saturday, March 6, at Pirates
HIGHLIGHTS: Blanton is newly signed to a three-year extension, while Baez had a good year for the Orioles in his first season back frmo elbow surgery. Zagurski and White are two intriguing lefties, while Rosenberg had a good season as a closer in the minors.
Sunday, March 7 vs. Rays
HIGHLIGHTS: Happ would like to make some strides with his cutter, while Herndon's slider could hold the key to whether he makes a run at a big league roster spot.
Monday, March 8 at Yankees
HIGHLIGHTS: Today is all about Kendrick, making his second appearance of the spring while trying to convince the Phillies to let him supplant Moyer in the rotation.
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