The 2011 Spring Training schedule officially kicks into full gear Saturday afternoon as there are four Grapefruit League games slated. Stud pitchers Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Philles), David Price (Tampa Bay Rays) and Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta Braves) will each start. Meanwhile, Rays free-agent acquisitions designated hitter Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon will be in the lineup in Port Charlotte, FL.
Did I mention that both the New York Yankees and New York Mets each begin their Spring Training schedules? Oh man, what a great day to be a baseball fan.
Projected lineups and pitchers for each Grape Fruit League contest after the jump...
Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
DET starting pitcher: LHP Phil Coke; Projected bullpen: Brad Thomas, Robbie Weinhardt, Alberto Alburquerque, Duane Below and Brett Cecil; Expected position players: OF Austin Jackson, OF Brennan Boesch and OF Ryan Raburn; C Alex Avila, 3B Brandon Inge and 2B Scott Sizemore.
TOR starting pitchers: LHP Brett Cecil; Projected bullpen: Scott Richmond, David Purcey, Wilfredo Ledezma, Jesse Carlson, Mike Hinckley and Luis Perez; Expected position players: Outfielders Rajai Davis, Juan Rivera and Corey Patterson.
Quick preivew: Coke is trying to transition from reliever to a starter, while Cecil is trying to build off a solid 2010 season. Toroton outfielders Davis and Rivera make their Blue Jays debut. Davis will hit lead off.
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees (Tampa, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
PHI starting pitcher: LHP Cole Hamels; Expected bullpen: Vance Worley, Ryan Feierabend, Brian Schlitter and Mike Zagurski; Posted starting lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, DH Ross Gload, RF Raul Ibanez, 1B Ryan Howard, CF Ben Francisco, RF Domonic Brown, 3B Jeff Larish, C Brian Schneider and 2B Wilson Valdez.
NYY starting pitcher: RHP Bartolo Colon; Expected bullpen: Joba Chamberlin, Dave Robertson, David Phelps, Hector Nesi and Eric Wordekemper; Expected lineup: Manager Joe Girardi plans to give all regulars at bats, however, catcher Russell Martin will not play.
Quick preview: Hamels takes the starting node, but the Philly faithful are waiting on LHP Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Meanwhile, the Yankees have 38-year old Colon trying to earn a spot in the pinstripe rotation.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte, FL, 1:05 p.m.)
PITT starting pitcher: RHP Charlie Morton or RHP Brad Lincoln; Expected bullpen: Chris Resop, Daniel Moskos, Daniel MuCutchen, Justin Thomas and Cesar Valdez; Expected players: 3B Pedro Alvarez, 1B Lyle Overbay, OF Andrew McCutchen
TB starting pitcher: LHP David Price; Expected bullpen: Cesar Cabral, Chris Archer, Matt Bush, Rob Delaney, Dirk Hayhurst, Adam Russell, Richard De Los Santos, Brian Baker and Brandon Gomes; Posted starting lineup: C John Jaso, LF Johnny Damon, 3B Evan Longoria, DH Manny Ramirez, RF Ben Zobrist, CF B.J Upton, 1B Dan Johnson, 2B Sean Rodriguez, SS Reid Brignax.
Quick preview: Morton and Lincoln are battling for the No. 5 spot in the Pirates rotation. Its unclear who will start, but both will pitch two innings. Former Red Sox teammates, Ramirez and Damon, will make their Rays debut.
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (Port St. Lucie, FL, 1:10 p.m.)
ATL starting pitcher: RHP Jair Jurrjens; Expected bullpen: Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters; Expected players: OF Jason Heyward, OF Nate McLouth, OF Freddie Freeman, C Brian McCann, 1B Eric Hinske and DH Jordan Schafer.
NYM starting pitcher: RHP Jenrry Mejia; Expected bullpen: Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato; Expected player: 2B Luis Castillo.
Quick preview: Braves fans will be exicted to see both Heyward and Freeman on the field together after both were on the cover of this weeks Sports Illustrated. I really don't know what to expect from the Mets, but I know there are a lot of position battles going on, especially at second base. Castillo gets the first shot today.