Get "Yo" Cleats Wet

PHILADELPHIA, P.A. -- It's that time of year again. After crowning a new World Series Champion, it's time to get out the wood bats, put on the new batting gloves, and get "yo" cleats wet.

The Philadelphia Phillies may be the 2008 World Series champions, but once Brett Myers throws the first pitch tonight against the Atlanta Braves in the 2009 major league opener, it's a new season.

Former Los Angeles Dodger, Derek Lowe, will be on the pitchers' mound tonight for the Braves, as they seek to get back in the hunt this season after finishing a poor 72-90, placing Bobby Cox's squad fourth in the National League East last season. Lowe, who was lured away from the Dodgers organization and acquired by the Braves this offseason, went 14-11 last year with an ERA of 3.24. Lowe will not need to spend much time familiarizing himself with Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, because counting his National League Championship start last year, this will be Lowe's third consecutive start against the defending World Series champions.

In the Phillies bullpen, will stand a six-foot four-inch, 222 pound right hander in Brett Myers. The 12th overall selection from seven years ago is coming off a mediocre season. Myers had an ERA of 4.55 with a losing record of 10-13.

This opening night game starts up a six-game series between the Braves and Phillies. The game will air on ESPN tonight at 8:00 PM ET.

Let's play ball.