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BY SCOTT LAUBER
(Twitter: @ScottLauber)
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Not sure about you, but I'm looking forward to tonight's game.
First, it's another chance to watch Roy Halladay, who is coming off two scoreless innings last Thursday against the Yankees. That's always a drawing card. Second, it's an opportunity to see the Braves, who figure to be the Phillies' toughest competition in the NL East. Third, we'll get our first look at Jason Heyward (photo: Getty), widely regarded as the top prospect in baseball and the Braves' potential opening-day right fielder who already has drawn comparisons to Willie McCovey and Fred McGriff. One person I spoke to recently likened Heyward to Dave Parker. The other day, Tigers manager Jim Leyland compared him to Albert Pujols. Tonight, we'll see for ourselves. Hopefully, it'll be worth the long trek to Lake Buena Vista (near Orlando).
Also, Shane Victorino is scheduled to make his spring debut tonight after being hampered for the past week by a sore right shoulder. He'll be batting in his familiar No. 2 spot because Placido Polanco is getting the day off, but for most of the season, Charlie Manuel intends to bat Victorino seventh.
Here's the Phillies lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino, 3B Greg Dobbs, 1B Ryan Howard, RF Jayson Werth, LF Ben Francisco, C Brian Schneider, 2B Brian Bocock, RHP Roy Halladay. Notice that there won't be a DH tonight, which means Halladay will get his first chance to swing a bat.
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In today's News Journal, we took a look at Scott Mathieson's road to recovery after two Tommy John surgeries through the eyes of Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland, whose career ended after his second TJ.
Also, Kyle Kendrick pitched three scoreless innings yesterday and continued to prove he's a vastly improved pitcher. Of course, J.C. Romero's slow return from elbow surgery could mean there's a spot on the roster for both Kendrick and Jamie Moyer, the No. 5 starter candidates. But if Kendrick outpitches Moyer in spring training, it'll be interesting to see if the Phillies dare ask Moyer, a starter for the past 23 seasons, to make a move to the bullpen, something only he reluctantly did last August.
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Finally, on deck tomorrow: Brad Lidge will face hitters in live batting practice; Moyer will pitch in a 10 a.m. B-game at Bright House Field; Cole Hamels will start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.
More in a few hours once we arrive in Lake Buena Vista.
