CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies’ new-look lineup was on display Monday as they closed out their exhibition schedule with a 3-2 walk-off victory against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Four of the first five batters in the Opening Day lineup are new to the club this year, acquired in trades and free-agent signings during what was arguably the best offseason by any big league team.
Left fielder Andrew McCutchen, shortstop Jean Segura, right fielder Bryce Harper and catcher J.T. Realmuto are all wearing the red and white for the first time, and they will bat first, second, third and fifth, respectively, when the regular season begins Thursday against the Braves.
The only returning player among the first five is Rhys Hoskins, the cleanup hitter, who has moved from left field to first base. For a time, it appeared he could miss a game or two because of soreness in his left shoulder, but on Monday, he looked fine. In Hoskins' first at-bat, he hammered a 400-foot drive to center field that was tracked down by Kevin Kiermaier.
The No. 6-8 hitters will be center fielder Odubel Herrera, second baseman Cesar Hernandez and third baseman Maikel Franco.
Harper effect
Since Harper signed with the Phillies on March 2, they have averaged more than 9,000 fans per game at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, compared to an average of about 5,000 before he arrived.
In the 11 games since Feb. 28, 93,353 fans have crammed their way into the Phils’ stadium, for an average of 9,246 per game.
Back in Philly, ticket sales have boomed as well. In the first four days after the contract was announced, the Phillies sold more than 100,000 tickets.
In Harper's final spring game on Monday, he walked and doubled in his only two at-bats.
Going home
Monday’s game against the Rays was Philadelphia’s finale this spring, and it finished Grapefruit League play with a 14-14-3 record. The Phillies will enjoy two days off before opening the regular season at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday afternoon.
Aaron Nola, the Phils’ workhorse right-hander and ace of the pitching staff, will square off against Julio Teheran, who is making his sixth Opening Day start for the Atlanta Braves.
After a day off on Friday, Jake Arrieta will face rookie Bryse Wilson on Saturday. Another Atlanta rookie, Kyle Wright, will face Nick Pivetta on Sunday.