Whew, try saying that 3 times.
After a long and grueling spring training, the Philadelphia Phillies are finally back at Citizens Bank Park. 
They have their On-Deck Series with Pat the Bat and the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday and Saturday and then open the season on Sunday Night against the Atlanta Braves.
There are still a few questions left to answer before the season opener on Sunday.
-Will the Phillies get Gary Sheffield? I don’t think so, and it’s good that they won’t. They don’t have enough playing time to give him. Plus, he’s been a cancer in the clubhouse for years, he wouldn’t fit in here. Apparently, the Mets are interested in him. Good, let him go there.
-Who will get the final spot on the roster? It looks like Miguel Cairo will take that final spot on the bench at this point. The Phillies have made trades right around Opening Day before, so don’t put it past Ruben Amaro to pull off a trade for the right handed bat they’re looking for.
-What will the rotation look like? It will be Myers, Moyer, Blanton, Hamels, Myers again, and then Chan Ho Park. They’re going to push Park back and let Myers get in another start before they use Park. I also see J.A. Happ sticking around in the bullpen for a while and eventually getting the start when the Phillies inevitably need another starter. In my opinion, Happ will end up making more starts than Park this season.
Overall, this is a stronger team than the one that opened up last season. But, the other teams in the NL East have also gotten better. The Mets got two impressive pitchers and Atlanta has the potential to make a run for the division. This is going to be a great year for baseball in the NL East.
I can’t wait to get it started tonight.
And about that whole “No Booing” thing? Screw that. We’re in Philly. If a team doesn’t play up to our standards, let them know about it.
Cheesesteaks and booing, that’s what Philly does.
-KK
Update: Gary Sheffield has signed with the Mets, according to SI.com
