The Phillies will collect their World Series rings this afternoon.

Maybe they also will get their first win of the season as well. They got shut out last night by the Braves, 4-0, after scoring just one run in a 4-1 loss in the Sunday night opener.

And once again the bad news arrived early. Jamie Moyer took the mound for the Phils last night and watched as his first pitch was deposited over the right-field fence. The first pitch, and it’s 1-0 Braves. They tacked on another run to make it 2-0. That’s really all they needed.

But hey, relax, right Jimmy Rollins? Why should we be heartbroken because the Phils lost “a” game. Even if they did an instant replay last night and now have lost two games. That’s why they play 162.

This afternoon will be another love fest for the 2008 World Champions. Pat Burrell will be back for the ceremony, before jetting off to rejoin his new mates, the Tampa Bay Rays, who are playing in Boston.

Maybe after this afternoon’s ring ceremony, the Phils can shake the memories of 2008 and start concentrating on 2009.

They are the defending World Series champions. It’s time they start playing like it.