April 2 -- LINEUPS, SHEFF TO REDS?, ROLAIDS & MORE

BY SCOTT LAUBER

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Back in 2000, during my first year covering the minors, the Binghamton Mets were playing a meaningless regular-season finale against the New Haven Ravens. Both teams already had made the playoffs. The matchups were set. So, the primary objective was to play the game as quickly as possible. The Ravens were so intent on it, in fact, that the players decided to use the same bat for as long as possible. If memory serves, they made it through seven innings, flailing at as many first pitches as they could. The game was over in less than 2-1/2 hours.

Just a guess, but I think that's going to be the idea here today.

The Nationals are here, and most of their regulars -- Cristian Guzman, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, Austin Kearns, Josh Willingham -- are in the lineup. Scott Olsen, who made his feelings for the Phillies known when he pitched for the Marlins, will be on the mound.

Here's the Phillies lineup:
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
RF Jayson Werth
1B Ryan Howard
LF Raul Ibanez
3B Pedro Feliz
SS Eric Bruntlett
C Carlos Ruiz
P Jamie Moyer

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Dusty Baker has told reporters that the Reds plan to meet with Gary Sheffield today. Sheffield, of course, will clear waivers at 1 p.m. Speaking to Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daughtery on WLW-AM last night, Baker said, "I talked to Gary just to find out where he was and his interest. I kind of presented to him what we have available here. There are about four or five teams interested in him. Right now, he's looking for everyday playing time, which I couldn't promise him with Chris Dickerson and Jay Bruce. And at his age, he's not a center fielder."

So, what does that mean for the Phillies?

Well, clearly, the Phillies can't offer Sheffield an everyday job. They're looking at him strictly as a right-handed pinch-hitter, so if Sheffield wants to play every day, it won't be here.

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Every year since 1976, the best relievers in both leagues have been given the Rolaids Relief Man Award. Brad Lidge won the award last year, and as he tries to repeat, you can log on to this Web site to follow along all season long.

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Infield prospect Jason Donald, catcher Paul Hoover and pitcher Cedrick Bowers will accompany the Phillies to the Bank for the exhibition games against the Rays. Veteran infielder Pablo Ozuna, outfielder Jason Ellison and pitcher Mike Koplove (a UD product) also will stay with the team through Saturday before they head to triple-A Lehigh Valley.