Well the first pitch of the 2008 season is about an hour and a half away, and the Phillies look poised to challenge for the NL East crown once again.
Today the Phillies go up against the Washington Nationals 24 year old lefthander Matt Chico. Chico is in his second season out of USC. Last year he was 7-9 with a 4.63 ERA. Last night the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves on a walk off home run by Ryan Zimmerman.
Brett Myers will throw the first pitch for the Phillies. This is his second straight Opening Day start. Although this season is beginning like last season for him, it hopefully won’t end the same way. Last year, Myers moved to the bullpen where he took over the role of closer. Over the off-season, the Phillies signed closer Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros. Lidge is currently on the Disabled List, but should make his return within the week.
The weather forecast for the first pitch is 50 degrees with a 30% chance of rain. Rain will threaten throughout the entire game today, but hopefully shouldn’t cause any stoppages in play.
I’m looking for newly acquired third baseman, Pedro Feliz to have a big day against the lefty starter for the Nationals. Look for Ryan Howard to go deep and ring the bell in the 6th inning or later, once the Nats go to their bullpen. Brett Myers had a very good spring, and hopefully will continue his good work today. I expect him to go 6 innings allowing 3 runs and leaving it to the bullpen to close out his victory.
Final Score Prediction:
Phillies 6- Nationals 4
