Phils looking Phantastic - baseball season arrives

It's finally here - the day that pitchers and catchers report!

Monday is a day I have been looking forward to since that painful 2010 October night when Ryan Howard watched strike three go by and the San Francisco Giants celebrated the National League pennant at Citizens Bank Park.

The 2011 season begins on Monday as pitchers and catchers will partake in the season's first official workout.

Last season was not supposed to end without another World Series title for the Phillies. But it did.

The Phillies were the best team in baseball during the regular season, anchored by Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay.

It was not enough, so the Phillies made a huge and stunning free agent signing, luring fan favorite Cliff Lee back to Philadelphia. Lee turned down more money from the Yankees to rejoin the team he so greatly loved during his short stay in 2009.

And with that, the Phillies became immediate World Series favorites.

Expectations are extremely high. And why wouldn't they be with Halladay, Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels.

Repeat - Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels. Again - Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels.

That would be three Cy Youngs, 10 other top-five Cy Young finishes, a World Series MVP award, two LCS MVP awards, 18 Opening Day starts, six 20-win seasons and 13 trips to the All-Star Game.

Wow!

Joe Blanton, who would be a solid three/four starter on many teams, has become a forgotten man. He will be the Phillies five starter and probably the best five starter in any rotation in all of baseball.

The Phillies have pitching. Boy do they have pitching.

Oh yeah, they also have some prety good hitters too - after all, they were second in the National League in runs last year.

Yes, the Phillies have questions - who will start in right field? Who will fill out the bullpen? Can guys like Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard return to form?

But remember this - pitching wins championships. The Giants proved that last year.

If your hopes are high, I don't blame you. Mine sure are.

It's World Series or bust for the Phillies.

I can't think of a season that involved this much anticipation. And it is finally here!