Chase Utley will sit out his second straight spring training game as the Phillies host the Yankees today in their Florida home at Brighthouse Field. Charlie Manuel told reporters yesterday that Utley is a "couple days" away. Several other Phillies who didn't play yesterday however, will return to the lineup. Most notably Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz. Joe Blanton will start for the Phils today.
It's interesting that Polanco is hitting fifth today. Charlie Manuel was expected to experiment with his lineup this spring as he tries to figure out how to replace Jayson Werth in the 5 hole. Last season, Polanco hit in the two spot, but as maybe the only notable right handed bat in the lineup Charlie may look to use him to break up the lefty parade of Utley, Howard, Ibanez & Brown. That would likely mean that Shane Victorino would occupy the #2 hole.
So if you replace Ibanez with Utley at #3 and have Ibanez at #6 pushing the rest of the lineup a spot, this could very well be your opening day lineup.
1. Jimmy Rollins SS
2. Shane Victorino CF
3. Raul Ibanez LF
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Placido Polanco 3B
6. Domonic Brown RF
7. Ben Francisco DH
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. Wilson Valdez 2B