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Three things to know about today's Phillies lineup

Vince Velasquez will make his first start of spring training as the Phillies take the short trip to Dunedin to play Toronto.

Vince Velasquez will get the start against the Blue Jays.
Vince Velasquez will get the start against the Blue Jays.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
    by Matt Breen
    Published 

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Vince Velasquez will make his first start of spring training this afternoon as the Phillies take the short trip to Dunedin to play Toronto.

The 1:07 p.m. game will not be broadcast on TV or radio, but a radio stream will be available on MLB.com.

Here's a look at the lineup:

  1. Scott Kingery, second base

  2. Carlos Santana, first base

  3. Odubel Herrera, designated hitter

  4. Aaron Altherr, center field

  5. Maikel Franco, third base

  6. Jorge Alfaro, catcher

  7. Dylan Cozens, right field

  8. Adam Rosales, shortstop

  9. Andrew Pullin, left field

Three things

Velasquez missed the final two months of last season with a blood clot in his finger. He said earlier this spring that he has "nothing but confidence" and feels as if this could be a big season. To do that, he'll need to be economical with his pitches and keep a positive mentality on the mound. Today is a start.

Odubel Herrera has yet to play the field this spring. This will be his second game as the designated hitter. Manager Gabe Kapler said last week that the team is not concerned about the outfielder's health.

Scott Kingery will bat leadoff, and it's easy to imagine him batting there in the future for the Phillies. He is fast, can hit for extra bases, and reaches base at a high rate. He'll start the season at triple A, a level that caused his walk rate to dip a bit last season after he was promoted from double A.