Feb 21, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford (80) doubles during the first inning at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
As the old saying goes, you only get one chance at a first impression.
And while the first game of spring training in February is hardly that, there were people in Philadelphia tuned into their television for the first baseball action - exhibition or otherwise - since the infamous Orion Kerkering error brought heartbreak to the city last October.
So, maybe it was appropriate that the first person who strode to the plate in the top of the first was one of the highly-touted prospects that most fans have heard about but not actually seen.
And it would seemingly be a good test for Justin Crawford, facing a left-handed, major league starting pitcher in Eric Lauer.
And if you were hoping Crawford showed you a little something in that first plate appearance, well, he did.
Wasting no time! Our first hit of the spring comes courtesy of Justin Crawford pic.twitter.com/EHLKCRl5kd
A leadoff double off the wall in left centerfield was a heck of a way to start. It was almost even better a pitch earlier, but Crawford roped a ball down the right field line that hooked foul. If it had stayed fair, it would have been a home run.
No problem for Crawford, who stayed through a cutter and used the middle of the field for the double.
It was the lone bit of excitement for the Phillies in a game they lost 3-0 to the defending A.L. champion Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla.
But Crawford stood out in a noticeable way. The Phillies amassed just four hits in the game. Crawford had a pair of them. There was the double to lead off the game and then there was a line drive single that popped in and out of the glove of a leaping Josh Kasevich at shortstop.
The only out made by Crawford came when he was called for a pitch clock violation and was called out for not looking at the pitcher.
In the outfield, Crawford fielded a couple singles cleanly and caught both fly balls hit his way, the second was a sliding catch off the bat of Vladimir Gurerrero, Jr.
All in all it was an impressive day for Crawford, who was one of two expected Phillies regulars to be in the starting lineup, along with Adolis Garcia.
What else was noticeable for the Phillies was, that what few jobs there are for the Opening Day roster, those expected to compete for them either started or got into the game. Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa are all but locks for two of the four bench spots as expected platoon partners against lefty starting pitchers. They were both in the starting lineup, as was Rafael Marchan who should have the leg up over Garrett Stubs for the backup catcher spot.
That leaves one bench spot up for grabs and the first guys to get a crack at it were Bryan De La Cruz, who went 1 for 3 as the designated hitter, and Dylan Moore, who could be the frontrunner for the spot because of his positional versatility (he can play every position except catcher). Moore started at second base and was 0 for 2.
De La Cruz also had one of two failed challenges for the Phillies to the ABS system on balls and strikes. He challenged a pitch called a strike by home plate umpire Darius Ghani. Ghani got it right. Marchan also challenged a pitch by Bryse Wilson that was called a ball by Ghani. Ghani got that one right, too.
If you’re keeping score of the ABS challenges at home, and I hope you’re not, the Phillies are all out of them.
Bryan De La Cruz just challenged a called 3rd strike in the 6th…and got it wrong.
If a pitch even clips the ABS zone, it’s a strike pic.twitter.com/pjvDHabNCn
As for the pitchers, Wilson, who has 461 career innings pitched at the Big League level over the course of eight seasons, started the game and threw two scoreless innings, although he did allow four baserunners. Wilson probably is the guy who would be in the rotation if either Andrew Painter falters this spring, or there is an injury.
As for the bullpen, there appear to be two jobs up for grabs, and four of the guys -- who will likely see time in relief at some point this season for the Phillies -- saw action on Saturday. They were Rule 5 selection Zach McCambley, Max Lazar, Seth Johnson and Nolan Hoffman. Lazar pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning. McCambley didn't allow a hit, but did give up a walk, in his one inning of work. Johsnon yielded a solo homer and Hoffman a two-run blast which accounted for all of the Blue Jays runs.
