Blogs > Phollowing the Phillies

Insight, observations (and whatever else comes to mind) on the trails of the team that ended the quarter century-long parade drought in the City of Brotherly Love - the Philadelphia Phillies.



Friday, March 7, 2008

Gone with the wind

It's a windy one here at Progress Energy Park in St. Petersburg.... the press box is outside. So if I lose my score sheet while keeping score, I'm hoping the good folks at Phillies.com will have me covered.

Quiet morning. Charlie Manuel was in a good mood. Adam Eaton was nowhere to be found.

The Phillies are playing the (don't call us Devil) Rays today. Cole Hamels and Carlos Carrasco are among those scheduled to pitch.

With Eaton's current health status unknown, tomorrow should be an interesting day for the long term No.5 job in the Phillies rotation.

Darkhorse candidate Travis Blackley, a left-hander claimed by the team in the Rule 5 draft, will start against the Indians in Winter Haven.
Blackley has been perfect thus far this spring and should have a very good chance to at least make the roster to add another lefty to the bullpen, alongside vet J.C. Romero.

While Blackley tries to quiet the Tribe Saturday, Kris Benson will see his first competitive environment off the mound in Clearwater. The former Pirates' ace, who missed all of last season while recovering from right shoulder surgery, is pitching in a minor-league split-squad game at the Carpenter Complex.

Here in St. Pete, Cole Hamels and Carlos Carrasco are scheduled to pitch, among others. They could be the 1-2 punch in the Phillies rotation in '09.

We also have our first, official spring training road lineup today -- Greg Dobbs is batting third. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley didn't have to make the bus trip - Manuel is probably saving them so he can beat his old Indians team tomorrow.

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THE ARCHIVE FILES


In today's Daily Times, Adam Eaton's back is suddenly affecting his pitching.

Also, in light of young stars griping about salaries, MLBPA union chief Donald Fehr and Cole Hamels talk compensation.

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