2018 Phillies home opener schedule & game notes

Image- Jay Floyd

The Phillies kick off their 2018 home schedule on Thursday April 5th at Citizens Bank Park. Here is a listed schedule of events for the day along with some key statistical notes for the contest.

12:00 PM- Block Party begins. Presented by Budweiser on Citizens Bank Way, the party features a live band, a Ferris Wheel, Gametrain a Budweiser Macro Bar and samplings from Turkey Hill Dairy, Diet Coke and others.

12:35 PM- All gates open. Fans will receive a commemorative knit hat.

12:40 PM- Phillies batting practice.

1:10 PM- Marlin batting practice.

2:26 PM- Phillies lead off walk onto the field, entering the park from the outfield.

2:35 PM- "America the Beautiful" performed by the Philadelphia Boys Choire and Men;s Chorale.

2:39 PM- Marlins team introduction.

2:44 PM- Phillies team introduction.

2:49 PM- Tribute video & moment of silence for Roy Halladay.

2:51 PM- National Anthem performed by Kane Kalas at his father's statue behind section 141.

2:53 PM- U.S. Navy parachute team, the Leap Frogs, delivering first balls.

3:00 PM- Ceremonial first pitch by Eagles head coach Doug Pederson.

3:05 PM- PLAY BALL!

Right-hander Nick Pivetta will get the start for the Phillies. In 12 career home starts, the 25-year-old sports a 4-3 record with a 5.34 ERA and a .263 batting average against. Pivetta has posted an 8.66 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins.

Left Caleb Smith is slated to start for the Marlins. He struck out eight batters in 5 1/3 innings in his season debut against the Cubs last week.

Cesar Hernandez, the Phils' 27-year-old second baseman, batted .320 at home last year and is a .280 career hitter at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco, 25, is a .246 hitter in 46 career games against Miami. Franco batted .214 in 77 home games last season.

In career 10 games against the Marlins, Phillies left fielder Rhys Hoskins has a .441 average with eight homers and 19 RBI.

Comments

Sunday School: Phillies History Lesson 73

Danny Ozark was the Phillies' manager from 1973-1979. During his tenure as the team's general, Ozark led Philadelphia to three straight division titles. In his playing days, Ozark was a first baseman, who was a career minor leaguer in the Dodgers system. When Ozark took over the team in 1973, the Phillies were fresh off 5 consecutive losing seasons and 3 straight last place finishes. During his first season in charge, the Phillies would again finish in last place, 20 games under .500, but as his core of young talent, like Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa, developed, the Phillies' win totals rose. Within 2 years, the Phillies were above .500 and in the playoff hunt until late in the season and the most successful era of Phillies history was about to begin. By 1976, the Phillies were headed to the post-season for the first time since 1950. The Phils would enjoy a 10-game lead over their nearest division rival at the midway point of the season. Despite a lul, which saw their lead d...

Velasquez shut down, Eflin on deck?

Eflin with Reading in 2015, image- Jay Floyd Following Vincent Velasquez leaving his start after just two pitches for the Phillies on Wednesday, righty prospect Zach Eflin was pulled from his start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at Gwinnett. The 22-year-old sports a 5-1 record with a 3.14 ERA and a .210 batting average against in 10 starts for the IronPigs this season. He could take the place of Velasquez if he is required to miss any additional time. Initial word on Velasquez after he threw two fastballs that clocked in the 86-87 MPH range (considerably slower than the 94 MPH he averages) and was swiftly pulled from his outing, is that he has a biceps strain. He'll be further evaluated in the coming days. Prior to the regular season, Eflin got a taste of competing against big leaguers when he was charged with 12 runs (nine earned) on 11 hits while striking out two and walking one with a wild pitch in three innings of work in an intrasquad exhibition that pitted the Phils...

Mathieson Still Focused Despite Being Sent Down

CLEARWATER, FL- Somehow, despite the recent news that Brad Lidge is set to begin the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury, the Phillies didn't see fit to keep fire-balling righty hurler Scott Mathieson around. Mathieson, who has had a long road back to the big leagues following three elbow procedures (two of which were Tommy John surgeries), appeared in 7 games with the Phillies in spring training this year, posting a 2.00 ERA with 9 strike outs and 6 walks over 9 innings. The Vancouver, British Columbia native made his Major League debut with the Phils in 2006 as a starter, going 1-4 with a 7.47 ERA, but had his career sidetracked due to arm trouble. This spring, Mathieson was back where he wanted to be and felt that he was primed to return to a regular gig in the big leagues. However, on Saturday, the Phillies sent Mathieson back down to minor league camp. Mathieson's goal throughout his recovery has been to get back into the Phillies' red pinstripes...

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog