Play Ball!

Phillies head into home opener on roll
Another National League pennant to be raised Monday

(Something that won't happen @ S**ti Field any time soon!)

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

04/12/10 12:15 AM ET

HOUSTON -- The Phillies returned to Philadelphia on Sunday night already in a pretty good routine.

It could help them Monday.

They are 5-1, which is their best start since they started 7-1 in 1993. Roy Halladay has delivered in two starts. Everybody in the offense seems to be hitting. The bullpen has shown promise. It has been a good first week on the road.

Now it's time to play at home.

"We have a good feel on our team right now," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I think we're ready to go get 'em."

The Phillies play their home opener Monday afternoon against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, and Manuel said he believes his team is ready to handle the festivities. That wasn't the case last season when he thought the 2008 World Series championship celebrations became a distraction, contributing to their 6-8 start.