Spring Training

ATLANTA - It's not often that the second game of a baseball season receives more scrutiny than the first, but the Phillies' situation warrants that it be that way. The guy who started opening day the last three seasons for the Phillies and appeared to be at a crossroads in spring training will pitch Wednesday night against the Atlanta Braves. The team that dominated the National League East for five straight years but was beaten down by the Braves last season has a chance to rebound from an opening-night loss in which its $153 million ace was roughed up by Atlanta's core of power hitters.

ATLANTA - Jimmy Rollins dashed to meet his teammates for stretching at 5 p.m. Monday and almost forgot his red Phillies hat before his 13th straight opening day as the team's shortstop. In 10 of those seasons, Rollins was the first Phillies player to hit. This time, the lineup was different. "Actually," Rollins said, "I haven't even looked" at it. Rollins knew, though. He batted second for the first time in nearly nine years. His leadoff spot belonged to Ben Revere. The move was somewhat surprising.

The darkness helped Ryan Howard see the light. Down and out, unable to do any sort of physical activity because he was in a protective boot after surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon last offseason, the Phillies first baseman decided to take inventory. "I decided I would take it and turn it into a positive," Howard said near the end of spring training. "Normally I'd be working out, and it sucked that I couldn't. But it made me relax, stop, and regain that appreciation for the game of baseball and everything that goes into it. " Even the grind of spring training, when most days begin early and end late, became cherished events for Howard.

THE STORY LINES change fast this time of year. When the Phillies arrived for their first spring workout in mid-February, the question was whether Domonic Brown was good enough to warrant a spot on the Opening Day roster. A month-and-a-half later, the question has evolved into how good he can be. First, though, let's ponder another question. What if Brown didn't dominate the Grapefruit League the way he did? What if he did not hit seven home runs in 83 at-bats? What if he didn't hit .373 with a .429 on-base percentage?

Come wintertime, the Phillies could have vacancies at catcher and third base. They are upbeat about Tommy Joseph and Cody Asche, and they will test their faith in those two prospects with aggressive promotions to triple A. Both Joseph and Asche will start 2013 at triple-A Lehigh Valley after leaving strong impressions during big-league spring training. Joseph, 21, will be one of the youngest players in the International League. Asche, 22, began 2012 as single-A Clearwater's third baseman and reached triple A in just his second full season of professional baseball.

OF THE THREE players who reported to Clearwater as the Phillies' biggest question marks, mysteries or X-factors, only one is departing camp with the same uncertainty: Roy Halladay. The Phillies have a pretty good idea what they have in Ryan Howard and Chase Utley after their healthy Grapefruit League campaigns. In the final weekend of exhibition games in Florida, the middle-of-the-lineup duo hit back-to-back homers on consecutive days. They've played regularly, too. But Halladay?

  Price could be pricey Justin Verlander set the market with his $200 million contract. So what does that mean for David Price, who edged him for the Cy Young last season? And a better question may be, what does it mean for his budget-conscious employer, the Tampa Bay Rays? Price, 27, will be a free agent after the 2015 season. If the Rays believe they can't afford a long-term extension, they may dangle him in the trade market this season to maximize their return. A midsummer bidding war for Price could turn the season upside down.

Kyle Kendrick will hope the main event goes better than the dress rehearsal. Kendrick, scheduled to start the Phillies home opener Friday, had one last spring tune-up Saturday in the exhibition finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park. The 10-4 loss wasn't the warm homecoming he wanted. Kendrick allowed five earned runs on six hits in three innings. He left the mound to sarcastic cheers after finally retiring the side in a four-run third inning. "The good thing is they don't count," Kendrick said.

Domonic Brown always went into spring training believing that he could be a starting outfielder for the Phillies. In another few days, that belief is likely to become a reality. Brown started in left field Friday night as the Phillies played the Toronto Blue Jays in the first of their two-game windup to the exhibition season, one that has seen the 25-year-old lefthanded hitter compile some of the biggest numbers of anyone in Grapefruit League play. Brown entered Friday's play tied for the most home runs (seven)