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The first weekend of Spring Training games is underway. While the Tigers, Yankees, and Marlins got their first taste of live action against college teams earlier in the week, the rest of the Grapefruit League jumps right into facing each other. Here’s a look at the weekend match-ups for the teams in the National League East.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves will take on the Washington Nationals Saturday at Space Coast Stadium on Saturday. Julio Teheran (0-0) will face off against Jordan Zimmerman (0-0). Sunday the Braves have two split squad games. The first is at the Astros in Kissimmee, as David Hale (0-0) will throw for the Braves, and Jarred Cosart (0-0) will pitch for the Astros. The other match-up will be at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, as Alex Wood (0-0) takes the mound for Atlanta. Detroit’s pitcher is TBD.
Miami Marlins
Miami will have two split squad games on Saturday. The first is a home contest against the Cardinals, whom they share a complex with. They are the only two Grapefruit League teams to do so. Nathan Eovaldi (0-0) will pitch for the Marlins and Lance Lynn (0-0) will go for St. Louis. The second game of the day will be at the Mets, with Kevin Slowey (0-0) on the mound for Miami and John Lannon (0-0) for New York.
On Sunday, the Marlins face the Washington Nationals. Brad Hand (0-0) pitches for Miami, and Washington’s pitcher is TBD.
New York Mets
New York will square off with the Miami Marlins on Saturday. It will be a split squad game for Miami. Lannon (0-0) vs Slowey (0-0)
The Mets will play the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday in Jupiter. In a match-up of well-known names, Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-0) will be on the mound for New York and NLCS MVP Michael Wacha (0-0) will pitch for the Cardinals.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are the only NL East team not facing a division rival this weekend. They play the New York Yankees on Saturday in Tampa. Miguel Gonzalez (0-0) will pitch for Philadelphia against New York’s C.C. Sabathia (0-0). On Sunday, AJ Burnett (0-0) will take the mound for the Phillies against his former team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates’ pitcher is TBD.
Washington Nationals
The Nationals have a weekend home stand against two division rivals. Washington hosts the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. Teheran (0-0) vs Zimmerman (0-0)
On Sunday, the Nationals play the Miami Marlins. TBD vs Hand (0-0)