Welcome aboard

ATLANTA -- So, the Phillies opened the 2006 season last week at Citizens Bank Park. And last night, they opened the Braves' home schedule here at Turner Field.

Today, then, is Opening Day for The News Journal's Phillies blog.

I'm Scott Lauber, and I write about the Phils for The News Journal. What you'll find here is information that will supplement the coverage of the Phillies and Major League Baseball that appears in the print version of the newspaper. The great part about blogging is that space is endless, so I plan to post any anecdotes and other nuggets that get edged out of the newspaper right here.

Please check back often, as this blog will be updated daily -- or, sometimes, several times a day by me or my colleagues.

Clearly, the Phillies aren't happy with their 1-6 start. After last night's game here in Atlanta, the clubhouse was quiet and several players analyzed video of their at-bats. Today is a rare off-day in the schedule, and if ever a team could use a day away from the ballpark, it's the Phillies.

A few early-season observations.

- In spring training, doubters cited shaky pitching as a reason the Phils won't win the NL East. But, really, since the first few games, the pitching has held up well. It's been the offense that hasn't produced. I just spoke with general manager Pat Gillick, who said 3.4 runs per game isn't good enough. More on that in Wednesday's newspaper.

- The most popular player on most football teams is the backup quarterback. Heck, even Koy Detmer was liked by Eagles fans, at least until he started playing. Perhaps the most well-liked Phillie is long-haired and Fu Manchu-mustached backup catcher Sal Fasano (a former Blue Rock), who has already inspired a fan club called "Sal's Pals" in the right-field bleachers at the Bank. But unlike Detmer and certainly Mike McMahon, he took quick steps to justify the fans' applause by belting a homer into the second deck in left field last week. I'm betting Fasano will have a nice season, playing in about 60 games as Mike Lieberthal's understudy.

- Ryan Madson is going to win 12-15 games for the Phillies as a starting pitcher. Still, the feeling here is he may be more valuable to the team as a late-inning reliever. New closer Tom Gordon (38 years old) and setup man Arthur Rhodes (36) have lots of mileage on their arms, and Ryan Franklin is prone to giving up long balls (the solo shot he allowed to Marcus Giles last night would've been more palatable in the first inning than the seventh). Somewhere along the line, manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee will wish they had Madson to pitch seventh, eighth or even ninth innings. Of course, the Phils need to first get a late-inning lead for it to matter.

- Before the season ends, Jimmy Rollins will have at least one more long hitting streak. Maybe not 38 games, but it'll be substantial.

- In the paper, I predicted the Phillies would finish second, behind Atlanta and ahead of the Mets. While that forecast isn't looking too good after one week, I'll stick with it. The Mets have too many question marks, including the health of Pedro Martinez, to win this division. Then again, the Phillies are probably too good to have started 1-6, too.

Thanks for reading. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.