CLEARWATER, Fla. -- If you've been reading this blog for the past two weeks, you know that I enjoy watching the Phillies' live batting practice drill in spring training. But, after nearly seven days, the novelty of seeing Cole Hamels face Chase Utley or Brett Myers face Ryan Howard wears off. Put it another way: The daily workouts have gotten boring, tedious, monotonous.So, I'm pretty sure everyone will be happy at 7 p.m., when Joe Savery throws the first pitch of the Phillies' first spring-training game.
Finally!
And although the Phillies will be facing Florida State (they open their Grapefruit League slate tomorrow against the Reds), there will be some intrigue. For two innings, I'll be eager to watch Savery, the first-round pick last June who already has drawn so much praise from Charlie Manuel. Wrote about Savery in the 50-center today. He's a bright guy, oozing with confidence. Most interesting to me, though, is that his first love was football. Growing up in Houston, Savery dreamed of someday playing quarterback in the NFL. He was so serious about that, he even plotted to follow Eli Manning to Ole Miss. Savery also is a talented hitter. Before the draft last year, there were whispers that he may even be a better hitter than pitcher. He won't get to hit tonight. The Phillies and FSU will be using a DH. Thus, Wes Helms will get a start tonight and bat eighth, according to Manuel.
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Brad Lidge's surgery yesterday was successful, according to the Phillies' medical team. But if he's unable to start the season on time, erstwhile closer Tom Gordon says he'll be ready.
6 comments:
Scott,
Any word on the rest of the starters tonight? Is it worth it to get the MLBtv package today?
cifuentj: Savery is expected to pitch 2 innings. After that, the Phillies will use J.A. Happ, Josh Outman, Carlos Carrasco and Joe Bisenius.
Tomorrow vs. the Reds, it'll be Jamie Moyer, Travis Blackley, Clay Condrey and Ryan Madson.
MLB.tv doesn't carry tonight's game. Check the schedule on the Phillies site for coverage. Both games on Saturday and Sunday are being broadcast though.
Scott,
Any news on what channel the games on Saturday and Sunday are being broadcast?
I'm really excited about Savery. I'm just hoping I get to see him or Carrasco pitch on one of the two days.
Also, is Cardenas in camp at all? It'd strike me as strange that the top position prospect in the chain isn't at camp with the big-leaguers. I haven't heard anything about him, so I'm curious.
Scott,
The official site isn't listing the TV/Radio broadcast channels under the game location/time as usual. Did they move them or is it down or what? I'm really hoping to get to watch some of these spring games before they ship all the young guys out.
Tony F.
All: As far as I know, Saturday's game is on CW Philly. Haven't heard anything about Sunday's game. I'll try to get you an answer before tonight's game is over.
bertmurr: Spent some time at the minor-league side of the complex today, and I haven't seen Cardenas yet. There are about 40 minor leaguers already here (not counting the ones that are in major-league camp). Minor league workouts don't begin until Friday. It isn't unusual for a top prospect to not be invited to big-league camp. I'd be surprised, though, if Cardenas doesn't get a few at-bats in some Grapefruit League games, so stay tuned for that.
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