Blue Jays vs Phillies: Starting Lineup - Game Preview

Toronto Blue Jays 41-year old veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will make his Spring Training debut today against 22-year old Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter. First Pitch 1:05 PM ET.

Unfortunately the game is not televised, however you can listen on Sportsnet 590 The Fan or on 94 WIP FM Philly.

Scherzer appeared in 17 games and logged 85 innings last year before making three more starts in the playoffs for Toronto.

He went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA through 85 innings in his 18th MLB season as he battled a thumb issue.

The 41-year-old threw a bullpen session on Monday, and also threw to hitters on Wednesday to help him ramp up for the regular season.

Scherzer is competing for a spot in the rotation that also includes Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, Cody Ponce, Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer.

Andre Painter gets the ball for the Phillies today. In his last outing Painter threw two clean innings against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Painter's spring debut went swimmingly, he fired 14 of his 20 pitches for strikes and his four-seam fastball reached 97 mph on six occasions.

With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) expected to start the new campaign on the injured list, the Phillies have an eye toward including Painter in the Opening Day rotation, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

While he turned in a lackluster 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 106.2 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley a year ago, the 22-year-old right-hander remains one of Philadelphia's top prospects and has an opportunity to overtake Taijuan Walker as the club's No. 5 starter even when Wheeler rejoins the rotation.

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