The long wait is nearly over. The Phillies, your 2022 National League Champions play not one, but two, games on Saturday. The split-squad games will both start at 1:05 EST. They will face the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.
The Phillies vs. Yankees will be broadcasted on NBCS-PH+.
Known Players in Phillies v. Yankees
Nick Nelson will be the starter for the Phillies in this game. The former Yankee had an up-and-down season for the Phightins in 2022. He had a 4.85 ERA in 68.2 IP. Nelson did come in handy when the Phillies need someone to eat up multiple innings. Nelson even got his first career save in a 5-3 win against the Nationals. He’ll be fighting for a spot in this year’s bullpen after several additions have pushed him to the cusp of the roster.
The Yankees will have at least one regular and 2 top prospects in their lineup. Their starting shortstop from 2022, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, will lead the way for the Yankees. Oswaldo Cabrera made his debut for the Yankees in 2022 and posted a 109 OPS+. The Phillies will also see Jasson Dominguez. Nicknamed “The Martian”, Dominguez is one of the Yankees’ most exciting prospects. He started slow in 2022 but posted a .906 OPS in 40 games for A+ Hudson Valley.
Harrison Bader may also appear in the game.
The Phillies will have one starter and two bench players appear in this game. Brandon Marsh will start his post-World Series journey against the Yankees. After they traded for Marsh in 2022, he hit .288 in 41 games. If he can continue that production, Philadelphia should be set in center field for a long while. Edmundo Sosa will also appear. Sosa is another player that thrived after being traded to Philly. In 25 games, Sosa hit .315 with a .937 OPS.
DJ Garrett Stubbs will also make his spring debut. Stubbs posted an .812 OPS in 46 games last season. Over his 3 years as an Astro Stubbs only had a .485 OPS. Stubbs was an important part of the Phillies’ clubhouse in 2022.
Known Players in Phillies v. Tigers
Michael Plassmeyer will take the ball for the Phils in this one. Plassmeyer was acquired as starting depth from the San Francisco Giants back on June 8, 2022. He appeared in 2 games for the team, allowing 3 ER in 7.1 IP and striking out 7. He looked great in 16 starts in Lehigh Valley with a 2.41 ERA in 82 IP. He’s not expected to break camp for Philadelphia but could see a spot start sometime during the season.
Garrett Hill will start the game for the Tigers. The 27-year-old righty had a 4.08 ERA in 60.1 IP in his rookie season. He had a 3.23 ERA in 15 minor league starts in 2022. His strikeout stats were a stark contrast from the minor to the majors. In the minors, he struck out 12.7 batters per 9 IP. In the majors, he had just a 6 K/9 ratio.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
