March 16 -- LIVIN' HERE IN TIGERTOWN

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Good morning, all.

We're here at Joker Marchant Stadium (great name for a ballpark, isn't it?), home of the defending AL champion Detroit Tigers. Just to get you situated, Lakeland is about 60 miles east of Clearwater, on the other side of Tampa, and the Tigers have been training here since 1946. Now that the geography is out of the way, the Phillies have brought most of their regulars here. Freddy Garcia will be on the mound, looking for his first good start of the spring. There have been some questions about the velocity on his fastball, so, throughout the day, I'll update you on how he looks. Mike Maroth is scheduled to start for the Tigers.

From what I've heard, there's some snow up north. So, if you're home from school or work, check this blog regularly throughout the day for updates (the game isn't on TV or radio). The tarp is on the field (it rained pretty hard last night), but the sky is clearing now and I expect the game will be played.