There aren't many cities in which the home team can lose its opening game in a 162-game season and see panic set in, but we're talking Philadelphia here.
The alleged brain trust of the Phils rewarded newly-anointed ace Cole Hamels with the opening day start (in Atlanta) and sat back and watched him get pummeled. Hamels was just about the only starting pitcher on this squad about whom there had been little worry (if you throw out the pre-season scare about arm soreness), so it couldn't have calmed the natives to see him batted around. There may be some consolation in past results predicting future performance. Cole has lost most of his opening starts since arriving in the big leagues.
On the other hand, Phanatics had to be thrilled with Chase Utley's opening day performance. He homered and tripled and even more impressively began the season in the starting lineup.
Ryan Howard began with a collar.
Chad Durbin looked like the retread he is. That bridge to Adams and Papelbon looks like one of those hemp jobs over a jungle river gorge.
But let's look on the bright side, eh? (Yes, folks, I may not mention the bright side often but I do know one exists.) The Phils have 161 games remaining, some of them against Miami. See! Told 'ya!
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