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Phillies hope for strong start

Mar 31, 2008 - 12:57 PM Washington (1-0) at Philadelphia (0-0) 3:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - Coming off their first playoff appearance in 14 years, the Philadelphia Phillies open their 2008 season against the Washington Nationals on Monday.

Despite another slow start last season, the Phillies were able to overcome a seven-game deficit with 17 games remaining en route to winning the National League East for the first time since 1993.

The Phillies have made struggling early an annual rite of spring as they have not finished with a winning record in April since 2003. They lost six of their first seven games to start last season en route to an 11-14 April.

While their pitching is a major question, the Phillies do feature perhaps the NL's best offense led by reigning Most Valuable Player Jimmy Rollins. First baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley also are two of baseball's best players at their respective positions.

Brett Myers, who started last season in the rotation before being moved to the bullpen, will make his second straight Opening Day start for the Phillies. The righthander is 7-7 with a 4.89 ERA lifetime against the Nationals.

The Nationals opened their new stadium Sunday night with a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Ryan Zimmerman provided the winning margin with a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Matt Chico, who went 7-9 with a 4.63 in 31 starts as a rookie last season, gets the call for the Nationals. The lefthander was 1-0 with a 4.22 ERA in two starts against the Phillies in his first campaign.