Today Is Carlos Carrasco's Time To Shine

Top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco will get to start today as the Phillies play their spring home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Carrasco will get the first chance to prove why he should be the fifth starter in the rotation.

Coming off a spring opener with little story lines developing for the Phillies, today will be just the opposite. Leading up to spring training the biggest question concerning the team, other than the status of Chase Utley, has been who will be the fifth starter?

The candidates include Kyle Kendrick, Carrasco, JA Happ, and Chan Ho Park. Happ will also see some time today following Carrasco.

For Carrasco it seems to be common logic that he will wind up starting the season in triple A ball with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and will be the first choice to fill in should there be an injury or should someone struggle at any point this season.

Carrasco, who was left off of the Venezuela World Baseball Classic squad, so perhaps he will be a little more motivated to prove his worth.

Happ will also get a chance to make his case as he will enter the game after Carrasco is through. Happ was a nice addition to the pitching staff last season, coming up strong in a few of his outings (never mind his appearances against the Marlins).

Many people seem to feel that Happ would be the best fit for the fifth spot. I initially agreed to that philosophy but the closer we get to Opening Day the more I find myself leaning back towards Kendrick.

There has been a lot of good comments about Kendrick which makes me think that if he can prove himself on the mound in the spring that he may be the fifth starter.

But this is why you play the games!

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM. Live blog kicks off at 12:30 PM. Come by and join in all throughout the game! Twitter updates every half inning as well.