One Day To Go!

GAME RECAP: No Game Yesterday!

The Phillies take the day to reflect on a successful spring and prepare for a long regular season. Of course, it is not too early to make plans for the postseason (i.e. where to watch the games).

NEXT GAME:

Veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson will make the first Opening Day start of his career Monday when the Phillies play the Reds at Great American Ball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. "It's definitely going to be different," Hellickson said. "The emotions are going to be high. The atmosphere is going to be crazy. The adrenaline is going to be flowing, and I'm going to be really excited. I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I'm looking forward to it." Outfielder Cedric Hunter, 28, is expected to make his first big league start after coming to camp as a non-roster player.

PHILS PHACTS:

First And Last - The Phillies called Veterans Stadium home for over thirty years beginning on this day in 1971 when it was officially dedicated. And when Jim Bunning threw out the final opening day first ball on this day in 2003, Chase Utley was on the roster for the first time. While there were coountless debuts after on this day such as Kenny Lofton in 2005 and Jayson Werth in 2007, the latter years of the Vet were marked by the promise of young talent such as Eric Valent and the actualization of talent like that of Scott Rolen both of whom were born on this day. Another home grown talent, Ryan Howard, never played at the Vet but did spend some time in Scranton during his career when he made a guest appearance on The Office in an episode that aired on this day in 2013. 

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finished the spring exceeding most expectations compiling a record of 15-11-3 (18-11-3 if you include the exhibition games against Reading and the University of Tampa). I expect the Phillies to finish in the bottom half of the division but not last in the NL East by finishing the season with a 77-85 record. Let the rebuild begin!

Pithing Remains Top Of Mind For Phillies

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Astros Edge Phillies 2-1

After wriggling out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning by allowing just one run, Astros pitchers shut down the Phillies en route to a 2-1 win on Wednesday night at Osceola County Stadium. Astros starter Michael Feliz gave up three walks, one hit and one run in the first inning and got a strikeout of Freddy Galvis to strand the bases loaded. That began a stretch in which he sent down 10 batters in a row through the fourth inning. The run the Phillies scored in the first inning came on an RBI single by Cedric Hunter. Preston Tucker tied the game in the fifth inning when he shot an RBI single to right field, and the Astros took a 2-1 lead later in the inning when Colby Rasmus grounded out to second base. The Astros had five hits -- Jason Castro with three and Tucker with two. Phillies starter Charlie Morton threw 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs and (none earned) and four hits while striking out five hitters. Astros reliever James Hoyt continued his solid spring by throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

PHILS PHACTS:

• Left-handed reliever Daniel Stumpf fanned both batters he faced Wednesday and now has made three straight scoreless appearances. Stumpf, a Rule 5 draft pick, seems to be on the verge of locking up a bullpen role. "He's making it a little easier after tonight," Mackanin said the club's looming decision. "He threw some real sharp sliders and a couple good changeups. Went right after them, and he made a good impression tonight."
• The Phillies reassigned catcher Gabriel Lino to Minor League camp before Wednesday's game. Lino, 22, went hitless in eight at-bats over six Grapefruit League games. The Phillies now have 47 players in Major League camp.
• Outfielder Odubel Herrera (bruised finger) was a last-minute addition to Wednesday's travel roster and took batting practice but didn't play. Mackanin said Herrera will probably play Thursday if he has no pain.

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies once again hit the road Thursday, this time heading to Champion Stadium to face the Braves at 6:05 p.m. ET. Left-hander Adam Morgan, who is battling righty Vince Velasquez for the fifth starter's spot, makes his fifth Grapefruit League start. He hasn't allowed a run in his last three starts and has a 2.00 ERA this spring.

PHILS PHACTS:

Hellickson To Open Season – Jeremy Hellickson is the Phillies' Opening Day starter, manager Pete Mackanin announced Wednesday. Right-hander Aaron Nola will start the second game of the season and the April 11 home opener against the Padres. "Hellickson has experience, he's been pitching really well, so we'd like him to be the Opening Day starter," Mackanin said. Hellickson, who turns 29 on April 8, has allowed one run in seven Grapefruit League innings in his first camp with the Phillies after being acquired from the D-backs in November. Hellickson has said in the past how honored he'd be to receive the Opening Day nod in his seventh Major League season. "I've been a part of five Opening Days now, and just the atmosphere -- standing on the line, seeing everything, how Opening Day goes down -- you kind of just think, 'Hopefully I can pitch one of these game sometime in my career,'" Hellickson said. "It's exciting, that's for sure." Mackanin said Charlie Morton will follow Hellickson and Nola, while Jerad Eickhoff appears to have the edge for the No. 4 spot. Left-hander Adam Morgan and righty Vince Velasquez are still battling for the fifth spot. Although the Phillies previously floated the idea of using a six-man rotation, Mackanin said Wednesday that is no longer under consideration because of roster constraints. 

With two spring starts remaining, Hellickson is gearing up for what he hopes will be a successful season as he approaches free agency. The right-hander won the 2011 American League Rookie of the Year Award, and he had a 3.10 ERA in '12, but he's posted a 4.86 ERA over the past three seasons with the Rays and D-backs.

Hellickson freely admitted free agency has crept into his mind, but he's looking more so at this season as a chance to make his mark. "It's definitely an opportunity," Hellickson said. "I couldn't ask for a better situation to come into. You know, from top to bottom here, this organization is awesome. And all of the guys that I've got to meet so far, we've had a lot of fun so far. So we're all just excited for the season to get started."

Looking To Improve – Charlie Morton felt better physically and had his sinker working, but the Phillies' right-hander wasn't exactly thrilled with his outing Wednesday evening in his team's 2-1 loss to the Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Morton, whom manager Pete Mackanin announced earlier in the day would start the third game of the regular season, allowed two unearned runs in 5 1/3 innings -- but needed 94 pitches to get there. Morton said he felt like he had good stuff, but he still struggled to get ahead. Only 58 of his 94 pitches were for strikes. "The goal was to go out there for six ups; get into the sixth inning," Morton said. "And the way you do that is by getting outs, and you can't get to the sixth inning if you're not getting outs. When you see where we are in spring, that's a requirement. You have to be able to go out there and throw deeper into games." Morton's sinker was effective despite the high pitch count, as he recorded 10 of his 16 outs on the ground. He also struck out five and walked two. "There are a couple things execution-wise I hope to get a little sharper, but I feel like I'm in a good spot," Morton said.

Today In Phils History - It was a busy day for the Phillies on this day in 1984 as they first acquired Dave Bergman from the Giants and immediately flipped him (with Willie Hernandez) to the Tigers for John Wockenfuss and Glenn Wilson. The Phillies weren't as receptive to their players in 1995 as 1 day after Curt Schilling, Tommy Greene and Dave Hollins were spotted by the press at the Carpenter Complex, Phillies president Bill Giles announced that following instructions from the Office of the Commissioner, players would not be allowed to use team facilities during the baseball strike. Finally, in the only hiccup of his perfect 2008 season, Brad Lidge was placed on the 15-day DL retroactive to March 21.

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies have an impressive record this spring… 14-7-2 (15-7-2 if you include the exhibition game against the University of Tampa). With the Phillies having finished the 2015 season with a spectacularly awful record of 63-99 it will be interesting to see what kind of team new President Andy MacPhail and GM Matt Klentak put on the field. At the same time I am definitely looking forward to the games against Boston with former GM Ruben Amaro on the field. Given the departures, lingering contracts, a history of injuries, bipolar performances, and unproven talent, it should, at the very least, be an interesting season for the Phillies. Who knows, maybe they can avoid 100 losses... hopefully by more than one game!

Phillies Return To Philly In Walk Off Fashion

GAME RECAP: Phillies Shock Pirates 7-5

In the first of a two-game On Deck Series at Citizens Back Park between the two teams from the Keystone State, it was the Phillies who walked off with 7-5 victory on Friday night. The hometown fans, at least those who remained from an announced crowd of 16,609, went home happy when Ben Revere lined a two-run home run off Angel Sanchez into the first row of seats in right field in the bottom of the ninth. The Phillies entered the inning trailing 5-4 when Cesar Hernandez led off with a double off Sanchez. He scored the tying run when catcher Tony Sanchez picked up Angel Blanco's bunt and threw the ball down the right field line with Blanco taking second and setting the stage for Revere three batters later. "It shows that this team has a lot of heart in coming back," said Revere, who homered twice in 601 at-bats last season. "Last year there were quite a few games when we were down three or four runs and came back in the ninth or [extra innings]. We played small ball tonight, did a lot of key things and hopefully we can win like that during the season." The Pirates took a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning when Corey Hart singled home Jung Ho Kang, who led off with a double against Phillies reliever Justin De Fratus and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Pittsburgh threatened to break it open by loading the bases with one out, but De Fratus was able to escape without further damage. "It was nice to be here at home, and I like the way the guys battled back after getting down early and getting some big hits at the end," said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg. "We put some numbers on the board after falling behind and I thought that was a good sign." The Pirates wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard against Aaron Harang, the Phillies' No. 2 starter. After Josh Harrison led off the game with a walk, Gregory Polanco drove him home with a double to the wall in center and Andrew McCutchen followed with a single to drive in Polanco to make it 2-0. "I think we're in a good spot right now," said Pirates manager Clint Hurdle. "I definitely think we're healthy and ready to start the season." With the help of two Pittsburgh errors in their half of the first, the Phillies scored three times off Jeff Locke to take the lead. Odubel Herrera, a Rule 5 pick and the team's new centerfielder who entered the game hitting .355, got things going when he led off with a dribbler in front of the plate and raced to second base when Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli's wild throw went down the right field line. Herrera scored when Ryan Howard hit into a fielder's choice. Jordy Mercer led off the second with his third home run of the spring to pull Pittsburgh even. Locke then became the sixth Pirate in the first turn through the order against Harang to reach safely via a hit or walk when he followed with a single. Locke also singled in the fifth to drive in Starling Marte and knot the score at four and put an end to Harang's evening. Harang allowed 14 (nine hits) of the 27 batters he faced to reach safely in 4 2/3 innings in his final tune-up before taking the mound Wednesday against visiting Boston. Locke, the Pirates' fifth starter, threw 49 strikes among 71 pitches in five innings. He allowed four hits and four runs, three earned. "He managed the game very well," said Hurdle. "He had a good two-seamer and was very efficient. He also swung the bat well."

NEXT GAME:

The Phillies and the Pirates complete their two-game series and conclude the spring training schedule Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park. Charlie Morton will get the start for the Pirates and he will be opposed by David Buchanon.

PHILS PHACTS:

Stretching Out – Aaron Harang made his final start of the spring by throwing 104 pitches in 4 2/3 innings against the Pirates on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. The 36-year-old right-hander, and the Phillies No. 2 starter, will make his Philadelphia debut on Wednesday against visiting Boston. While the results against Pittsburgh left much to be desired -- nine hits, 4 earned runs, three walks and a hit batter - this outing was about making sure he is ready for the Red Sox after missing two starts earlier this spring due to discomfort in his lower back. "It was about being safe than sorry," said Harang, about the missed assignments. "Arm-wise I feel great and I feel like everything is good. Obviously, this last [start] is like a fine tune-up to make sure everything is working and my off-speed pitches were working. I felt well tonight and I was just pitching behind in the count and missing with my location a bit with the fastball. Other than that I was able to get through those tough innings without too much damage." Harang threw 99 pitches in his last outing on March 29 against Detroit and heavier pitch counts have gotten him stretched out while providing the confidence that his back issues are behind him. "I know what I need to do in order to make sure I am ready for my first start of the season," he said. "I felt good [tonight] and told them I wanted to come back out for the fifth and try to get through it. They trust what I am telling them whereas if I were a younger guy it is probably a different scenario."

Staying In The Moment – Cole Hamels will be starting Opening Day for the Phillies against the visiting Red Sox on Monday, but on a rainy Friday afternoon, he was the center of attention as he faced the media in the bowels of Citizens Bank Park. The 31-year-old lefthander was the focus of much attention during the Grapefruit League season as speculation about his immediate future in Philadelphia was as heavy as the passion of the fans in the City of Brotherly Love. That was especially the case following his pronouncement in a USA Today piece in February that the Phillies and winning are not exactly going to go hand-in-hand. "I think we have to enjoy the moment," he said Friday when asked how he can feel upbeat about the coming season. "I know everything is defined with wins and losses, but right now we are 0-0 and we decide our own destiny and decide our own fate. We're going to compete for the next six months and things are going to be more enjoyable." What was not enjoyable for Hamels a year ago was a season in which he consistently received very little offensive support while going 9-9 in 30 starts despite an ERA of 2.46, good for fifth in the National League. There is seemingly nothing new with a club that hit .233 in Grapefruit League play, an average that is last among all 30 teams. "It has taught me to play a game within a game," he said when asked how the lack of support can impact his outlook. "It's taught me how to go out and pitch. There's a game within a game. If I can go out there and focus with what I'm trying to execute, everything will take care of itself." According to many projections, very little will take care of itself for the Phillies this season. Depending on where you look, Ryne Sandberg's team is certain to lose far more than they win, with several predictions calling for 100-plus losses, something a Phillies team has not done since 1961. "Ultimately, it's about trying to win as many ballgames as we can and hoist a trophy at the end of the day and have a parade," he said. "We get to decide what we do this year and it all starts on Monday." Hamels may very well hoist a trophy at season's end. If so, it most likely will not be in a Phillies uniform.

Moyer Gets Stuck – While visiting Southern California to watch his son, Dillon, play for the Dodgers, 25-year Major League veteran Jamie Moyer decided to head down to Disneyland with his family. Turns out it may not have been the greatest of decisions.  Moyer and about 100 other passengers were stranded on the California Screamin' roller coaster on Friday afternoon due to a mechanical issue. Naturally, Moyer tweeted a selfie, looking like he could probably step on the mound for some team tomorrow. Stuck on California Screamin' at Disneyland. Not sure what is more difficult, pitching in a Major League game or this pic.twitter.com/gM6qwZ2kPs - Jamie Moyer (@jmo50Moyer) April 3, 2015 We can only imagine what other thoughts he had while he was stuck up there: - "This ride tops out at 62 mph? Even I can throw harder than that." - "I pitched 752 1/3 innings in the Minors and this is the longest wait of my life." - "What's going on? A rain delay? There's not a cloud in the sky." - "Why'd the ride stop? Are they making a ride operator change for a left-handed specialist?" - "Talk about a hanging curve. Am I right? Am I right?" Though Moyer was soon off the ride, something tells me he won't be heading back to the park anytime soon: Glad we weren't there! All r safe! 1st offer was more tix while stuck! Not sure I want them! @Disney @jmo50Moyer pic.twitter.com/zyC5CrYEsn - Jamie Moyer (@jmo50Moyer) April 3, 2015

Phillies Appear On Jeopardy – Quick, you're on "Jeopardy" and all that stands between you and earning Alex Trebek's eternal respect (and avoiding his cold-eyed disapproval) is the $800 clue you see above: Did you say "Who are the Phillies?" Cool, I did too, but here's the thing: I was actually on "Jeopardy" and, unfortunately, this was not my episode. Look at me: I was so happy! That's before I got categories like "Harlequin Romance Novel Titles 2014" and "17-Letter Words." Since none of Thursday night's contestants got this one right (just you and I, reader), it was definitely hard. Maybe it should have been Final Jeopardy on my show, and then I could have taken you all out for ice cream on Opening Day. But it wasn't, I lost, and now no one gets ice cream.

THE BEGINNING

After ending 2014 with a 73-89 record, there second consecutive losing season, the Phillies are currently tied for first place for the 2015 season. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and performance this spring, don’t expect their competitive place in the standings to last. All time, the Phillies are 7-8-0 on this day.

Phillies Put It Together In HOF Duel

EXHIBITION GAME RECAP: Phillies Top Twins 3-0

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche hit his third home run in five days in Monday's 3-0 victory over the Twins at Bright House Field. Asche will be the team's Opening Day third baseman as the organization hopes to see him take a step forward from 2014, when he hit .252 with 25 doubles, 10 home runs and 46 RBIs in 397 at-bats. "Cody has a nice swing working," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He's making good contact. Another thing that he's doing is laying off pitches, avoiding strikeouts and having the count come back to him for strikes to hit. He continues to do real well, a real steady bat for us." The Twins, meanwhile, managed just five hits and were held scoreless for the first time in 20 Grapefruit League games this spring.

TODAY’S EXHIBITION GAME:

The Phillies travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., to play the Braves on Tuesday afternoon, live on MLB.TV at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Aaron Harang will hang back in Clearwater to pitch a Minor League game at Carpenter Complex. He has missed a couple starts this spring because of back problems. Phillies prospect Severino Gonzalez will start. He is the organization's No. 15 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com.

PHILS NOTES:

• Phillies right-hander David Buchanan continues to pitch well this spring. He allowed two hits and struck out three in five scoreless innings. He has allowed just three earned runs in 16 innings this spring.
• Ben Revere has played exclusively in center field since he joined the Phillies in December 2012, but he has played three consecutive games in left field as the Phillies take a look at Rule 5 Draft pick Odubel Herrera. Herrera has been hitting this spring, and the coaching staff is looking for a way to get Herrera's bat in the lineup.
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame said it believes Monday's game is the first time two current Hall of Famers have faced each other as managers. Twins manager Paul Molitor was inducted in 2004. Sandberg was inducted in 2005. "The fact that it's never happened before is kind of an interesting little piece of trivia, but for me, it's more about managing against a friend." -- Molitor, on managing against Sandberg, the first time two current Hall of Famers have managed against each other.

PHILS PHACTS:

HOF Matchup – Maybe one day it will happen in the regular season, when the results truly matter. But Monday's Grapefruit League game between the Phillies and Twins at Bright House Field was believed to be a first in Major League Baseball history. It was the first time two current Hall of Fame players managed against each other. Twins manager Paul Molitor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg was inducted in '05. "I'm glad to see it," Sandberg said. "The fact that it's never happened before is kind of an interesting little piece of trivia, but for me, it's more about managing against a friend," Molitor said. There have been numerous Hall of Fame players to manage in the big leagues, but one would think more would have made the jump from player to manager. They certainly have the knowledge of the game. They certainly have the pedigree. But some just do not want to take the path it sometimes takes to get there. Both Molitor and Sandberg spent time in the Minor Leagues before they got their shot. "Show baseball that you're interested in it," Sandberg said. "I think in the past, there have been some Hall of Famers that wanted to manage or coach at the Major League level but not go through the channels to earn that right. So, for me, I had to go for experience for myself, but also, I think, to earn the right." "One of the theories I hear often is players that played at a high standard don't have the patience to deal with people that can't meet those standards," Molitor said. "But I don't see that at all. It's kind of how you're wired, what your passion is, and that's putting your time in when you get the opportunity." 

Buchanan Making An Impact – David Buchanan surprised almost everybody in Phillies camp last spring. But he will leave camp this spring as a critical piece to the Phillies' rotation, especially with Cliff Lee almost certainly lost for the season with a torn tendon in his left elbow. Buchanan allowed two hits and struck out three in five scoreless innings Monday in a 3-0 victory over the Twins at Bright House Field. Buchanan has allowed 12 hits, three earned runs, zero walks and has struck out 11 in 16 innings this spring. "It's exciting, honestly," Buchanan said about opening the season with the team. "But I'm not really trying to get caught up in that. I haven't heard anything. I don't know anything. The first two outings [this spring] I was really trying to prove myself because of what happened last year, ending the year on the team. I was stressing to try to prove myself to get a spot [on the team]. I think that's why I wasn't throwing as well." After allowing seven hits, two runs and striking out one in four innings in his first two appearances this spring, he has allowed five hits, two earned runs and has struck out 10 in his last 12 innings. "I've really been focusing on keeping my head still with my mechanics and pounding strike one," Buchanan said afterward. "I probably wasn't as good as I wanted to be today, but getting strike one is a big thing for me. That's what I've really been focused on this spring."

Switching Things Up – It is clear the Phillies really like Rule 5 Draft pick Odubel Herrera, who is a lock to make the Opening Day roster. In fact, Herrera could be working his way into the starting lineup. "The way that he looks this spring, he brings a lot of life to the lineup," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Monday at Bright House Field. "I'm not making up my everyday or Opening Day lineup right now, but he finds himself in there quite often. And he continues to do some little things and bring energy to the field. It's nice to put him in the lineup." The Phillies have started Ben Revere in left field and Herrera in center field for three consecutive games in a move toward that, including Monday's 3-0 Grapefruit League victory over the Twins. Revere has played center field exclusively since he joined the Phillies in December 2012. He has played only 21 games in left field in his Major League career and only 52 games in left in the Minor Leagues. Revere said he is OK with the move. "It's been a little while since I've played there," said Revere, who had not played in left since 2012. "I really adjust quickly. It won't be anything I'm nervous about. They said they just want to see another bat in the lineup, so I just do what the coaches say. "Maybe we'll see it in the regular season, but it's just to get prepared for it." Sandberg said he expects the experiment to continue. "It really gives us a chance to improve our defense in a lot of ways," he said. "Herrera seems most comfortable right now as a young player in center field. I think Ben has showed in the past he does a good job in the corners." Herrera is hitting .357 (15-for-42) with one double, three RBIs, two walks, six strikeouts and four stolen bases in 13 games. One scout said Herrera could be the second-best hitter on the team behind Chase Utley. Sandberg said there are no more restrictions on Utley, who has come along slowly this spring after spraining his right ankle in January. Utley has played second base twice in the past three days after being the Phillies' DH earlier this month. "He's moving around good. He's running well," Sandberg said. "He's feeling pretty good." Sandberg also said Phillies right fielder Domonic Brown remains day to day with tendinitis in his left Achilles. Sandberg said he has no timetable for Brown's return to the field.

(Another) Man Down! – Phillies left-hander Mario Hollands is hoping for the best. He will visit Phillies physician Michael Ciccotti on Tuesday afternoon in Philadelphia to discuss the MRI arthrogram that revealed a tear of his common flexor tendon in his left elbow. It is the same type of injury that is expected to end Cliff Lee's season. "It feels a lot better than last year," said Hollands, who suffered the injury last season. "The range of motion is better. But there's still no word until I get back there. "I don't know how bad Cliff's is. I never asked. I don't think so. I hope not." Hollands' injury clears up the Phillies' bullpen competition. Jonathan Papelbon, Ken Giles, Jake Diekman and Justin De Fratus are locks. Rule 5 Draft pick Andy Oliver is a strong favorite for a spot. Luis Garcia has thrown seven scoreless innings. He also is a favorite. Jeanmar Gomez could be in line for the seventh spot. He has a 1.35 ERA in six appearances.

Looking Into The Future – Phillies fans looking forward to the future will have the opportunity to watch two of the organization's best pitching prospects this week. Right-hander Severino Gonzalez will start Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Right-hander Aaron Nola will start Friday's game against the Yankees at Bright House Field. Severino is the organization's No. 15 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com. Nola is No. 2. "I'm looking forward to that," manager Ryne Sandberg said about Nola's start. "It's an opportunity for him to experience Major League camp and pitch in a Major League game. I'd like to see composure, see strikes. That's what I've heard he throws. I think it'll be a good experience for him." Gonzalez reached Double-A Reading as a 20-year-old in 2013. He struggled a bit last season, but he finished in the top 10 in the Eastern League in innings pitched, strikeouts and WHIP. It would not be a surprise to see Nola, the team's first-round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, reach the big leagues this season. Scouts and executives agreed Nola was the most polished pitcher selected in last season's Draft. Right-hander Aaron Harang will pitch in a Minor League game Tuesday at Carpenter Complex. Harang has missed a couple starts earlier this spring because of back problems.

ON THE RECORD:

The Phillies will look to rebound this season from a 73-89 record last year. While uncertainty abounds, there is little question that the franchise is in rebuild mode based on the moves and statements that have been made during the offseason. The only question that remains is whether or not the young and veteran talent on the team can work together to disprove Gillick’s predictions either this year or next.