BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- In his final spring-training tuneup here tonight, Brett Myers allowed one run in four innings and flashed his poker face when asked if he would be the Phillies' opening-night starter.
"He didn't tell you?" Charlie Manuel said. "I didn't think he could keep a secret."
It's a secret no longer.
Myers, the Phillies' opening-day starter for the past two seasons, will start the nationally-televised opener Sunday night at the Bank against the Braves. He'll be followed in the rotation by Jamie Moyer (April 7 vs. Atlanta), Joe Blanton (April 8 vs. Atlanta) and Cole Hamels (April 10 at Colorado). Myers will start April 11 at Colorado before Chan Ho Park starts April 12 against the Rockies.
Last season, Myers went 10-13 with a 4.55 ERA. But he was 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA before the All-Star break and spent three weeks in the minors, then went 7-4 with a 3.06 ERA in his final 13 starts. He will be a free agent after this season.
"Brett can have any type of year that Brett wants to have," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "He's that talented. If he takes the same mindset out there every five days, there's no reason Brett can't have a big season."
Hamels initially was scheduled to make the opening-night start, but was slowed two weeks ago by elbow tightness.
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Also, pitching prospect Kyle Drabek will start tomorrow against the Yankees in Tampa. More on that later.
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Quote of the night came from suspended reliever J.C. Romero, who will be allowed to receive his World Series ring in the on-field ceremony next Wednesday.
"Mine has to be cubic zirconia," he said with a smile.
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