If the Phillies fail to win today, it will mark the third straight season the team has been swept in the opening series of the year.

And then we can break out the "slow start" talk, much to the chagrin of the players who scoffed at such a notion on Opening Day.

Meanwhile, Washington is 3-0 and the Mets, who the Phillies will play next week in New York, are 2-1.

Okay, it's waaaay too early to examine the standings, but if the team only has a win or two heading into Shea Stadium Tuesday, that series becomes important if the Phillies want to avoid the "slow start" chatter.

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The lineup

Driving to the park today, I thought there was a possibility So Taguchi or Jayson Werth would spell Shane Victorino (0-for-7 on the young season). But the lineup is a carbon copy of yesterday's except for the catcher.

The oldest player in baseball, 45-year-old Jamie Moyer, takes the mound for his 22nd major league season.

1. Jimmy Rollins, SS
2. Shane Victorino, CF
3. Chase Utley, 2B
4. Ryan Howard, 1B
5. Pat Burrell, LF
6. Geoff Jenkins, RF
7. Pedro Feliz, 3B
8. Chris Coste, C
9. Jamie Moyer, P

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The Archive Files

Cole Hamels pitched like an all-star but the Phillies bats didn't show up against (gulp) Tim Redding. The home team's offense managed just one hit.

The addition of a new reliever officially marked the end of the Wes Helms era in Philadelphia.