Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander Get The Start As Phillies, Tigers Meet

The Phillies are coming off of a 6-0 victory against the New York Yankees last night. Led by back-to-back home runs from Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd, the Phillies sent out Jeff Manship to the mound. Manship went four innings allowing five hits while striking out two. Today the Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the hill to take on Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers.

Cliff Lee has been spectacular so far this spring. In five starts, Lee has allowed just six runs over 19 2/3 innings and has struck out 19 hitters. In his last start, against the Red Sox on Friday, Lee held his opponents to two runs on three hits over six frames en route to a no-decision. With Opening Day next Monday, this will be Lee's last spring start of the year. 

Justin Verlander will also make his last start of the spring today as he fronts the Tigers against the Phillies. In three starts this spring, Verlander has accumulated no runs over 13 2/3 innings. Recovering from core muscle surgery back in January, the Tigers have kept Verlander on a slow-paced, yet steady schedule. In Verlander's last start, against the Braves last Friday, he tossed five scoreless innings, allowing five hits while striking out four. 

Game Notes:

• The Phillies released RHP Michael Stutes this morning.
• Bobby Abreu is playing RF this afternoon. 
• Opening Day is less than a week away!

Today's Lineups:

Phillies lineups:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd DH
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Cesar Hernandez 3B
8. Bobby Abreu RF
9. Wil Nieves C

Cliff Lee will start today's game for the Phillies.

Tigers lineup:

1. Rajai Davis LF
2. Ian Kinsler 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera 1B
4. Victor Martinez DH
5. Torri Hunter RF
6. Alex Avila C
7. Nick Castellanos 3B
8. Tyler Collins CF
9. Andrew Romine SS

Justin Verlander will start for the Tigers today.

First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Bright House Field, Clearwater, Florida
Weather: 61° – Windy/Cloudy – 0% Precip
TV: TCN, MLB Network (On Delay)

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.