Phillies Open Season on the Road for First Time Since 2004

Written by: Josh Landsburg on 4th April 2010

Phillies Open Season on the Road for First Time Since 2004 | read this item

Everyone is always looking for interesting tidbits as we get set for the 2010 baseball season. Well, I found one. The Phillies have not opened their season on the road since all the way back in 2004. The Phillies lost to the Pirates 2-1 on Monday April 5th, 2004 in Pittsburgh, ironically exactly six years ago from tomorrow when they will travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Nationals.

Opening Day has traditionally been a problem for the Phillies, as they are 1-5 on Opening Day since 2004. Therefore, playing their last five at home did not help them much. What is different about this year? For the first time, the Phillies have arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball starting for them on Opening Day in Roy Halladay. The Phillies are also playing the Washington Nationals, who finished dead last in the NL East in 2009.

The Nationals should be improved, but having Doc Halladay on the mound should be extremely beneficial for this Phillies team. Does an opening day win mean a better start to the season? The Phillies have also had traditionally slow starts over the last 10 seasons in April. Even though I believe in baseball it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, which the Phillies have certainly proved since 2007 with three straight Division Titles, and much better September’s than April’s, I don’t think it will hurt to get off to a fast start. I certainly think it is possible for that to happen this year. What do you think?

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Topics: Baseball Season, Doc Halladay, Interesting Tidbits, Lost, NL East, Open Season, Opening Day, Phillies Team, Pirates 2, Roy Halladay, Six Years, Straight Division Titles, Washington D C, Washington Nationals