GDB -10.0: Top of the order takes shape as Toronto Blue Jays take on Philadelphia Phillies in Spring Training

Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
By Zach Laing
Mar 4, 2024, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Mar 4, 2024, 12:53 EST
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Spring Training schedule continues Monday taking on the Philadelphia Phillies.
While veteran Wes Parsons will take the mound for the Jays, we’re getting more and more hints about what the opening-day lineup could look like. George Springer will bat in his leadoff spot, while Bo Bichette will hit second. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the three-hole and Justin Turner batting cleanup, this is a grouping we could see a lot of this season.
Kevin Kiermaier bats fifth, with Daulton Varsho — who has had a solid start to Spring Training at the plate — batting sixth. Isiah Kiner-Falefa bats seventh, while Eduardo Escobar and Payton Henry bat eighth and ninth.
Less attention can be paid to the bottom of the order, however, the top is what intrigues me. This is a similar grouping to what the Jays have run for the last number of years, with Turner being the obvious new face. While battles are still to be had and lots of Spring Training is left to be played, we’ll continue to keep an eye on these configurations and what they could be pointing to.
First pitch: 1:07 p.m. EST — TV: Sportsnet. Radio: SN590.
Moneyline: TOR -133; PHI +107.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +142; PHI +1.5 -175.
Over/Under: o9.5 -105; u9.5 -118.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +142; PHI +1.5 -175.
Over/Under: o9.5 -105; u9.5 -118.
*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.
Starting pitchers:
TORONTO — RHP Wes Parsons
PHILADELPHIA – RHP Tyler Phillips
Lineups:
TORONTO:
- G Springer (R) RF
- B Bichette (R) SS
- V Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- J Turner (R) DH
- K Kiermaier (L) CF
- D Varsho (L) LF
- I Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
- E Escobar (S) 3B
- P Henry (R) C
PHILLIES:
- K Schwarber (L) DH
- T Turner (R) SS
- B Harper (L) 1B
- N Castellanos (R) RF
- B Stott (L) 2B
- W Merrifield (R) LF
- J Rojas (R) CF
- A Garcia (R) C
- W Wilson (R) 3B
Need to bide the time until first pitch?
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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