1. Philadelphia Phillies
-Season story lines: The Phillies went into spring training expecting Ryan Howard could miss the first month of the season. After a setback in healing, his Achilles tendon tear could cost him more like three months. Second baseman Chase Utley’s knees haven’t permitted him to play all spring. How will rookie Freddy Galvis, new to the position, do at second base? The Phillies were offensively challenged last season. Can they retain superiority in the division, especially if Howard and Utley are out? It’s a contract year for left-hander Cole Hamels, but the Phillies might have bigger concerns with Roy Halladay’s velocity.
-Season stat: 3.02. The Phillies’ ERA last season, lowest in the majors. The starters set the tone with 18 complete games (11 more than any other NL team), and the entire staff walked the fewest batters in the majors (404).
-Sco-ts’ take: They’re looking old in a hurry on the offensive side. Those pitchers can keep them in it, but the margin for error is getting pretty slim. They’re still the best team in the division, but the window could close fast. . . . I’m not seeing a lot of progress in Domonic Brown. He needs to forget about making the team and go play at Triple-a. . . . I can’t decide if Cliff Lee or Hamels has been their most impressive pitcher this spring, but we know Halladay is better than both. . . . I’m not sure they can score without one of Howard and Utley. I know they can’t without both.