Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies opened the 2011 season Friday with a dramatic come-from-behind win against the Houston Astros, thanks to a walk-off single by pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr.

The Phillies' offense in the first eight innings was eerily reminiscent to the stagnant offensive output in 2010, but in the bottom of the ninth, the Phightin' Phils were reborn. The Phillies can only hope that this comeback, fueled by small ball, will ignite the their bats for the games to come.

The weather is getting nicer outside, and Opening Day came and went with six games that each had interesting endings.

We had studs like Mariano Rivera and Heath Bell shutting the door on their opponents, and John Axford and Ryan Franklin looking just a bit shaky.

Let's take a look at the news we missed in the preseason edition and then dive into Opening Day.

Quick News

The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies have had a rough spring so far, losing closer Brad Lidge and second baseman Chase Utley for indeterminate periods.

Luis Castillo could not even lock down the starting second-base job, which will now fall to Wilson Valdez for Friday's season opener.

In light of Jayson Werth's debut in Washington, it's time to examine the five most likable ex-Philadelphia Phillies.

This is a list of active players who we could all agree that we like (and secretly root for when they're not playing the Phils).

We may not have always liked them when they were with the Phillies. However, the fact of the matter remains, they were appreciated.

Philadelphia Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. made a small move today, signing Ronnie Belliard to a minor league contract.

Belliard, set to turn 36 on April 7th, was released by the rival New York Yankees this past Monday after showing up to spring training overweight and just hitting .136.

Don't let last night's snow fall in the Northeast fool you. Today is opening day for the 2011 MLB season. This is the moment when 30 teams get a fresh start which means high hopes for up-and-comer's, and high expectations for contenders. This is the day when singing "Take me out to the ball game" is refreshing rather than a tedious formality.

The beginning of the Philadelphia Phillies' most anticipated season to date starts tomorrow afternoon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Citizens Bank Park at 1:05 p.m. EDT when Roy Halladay starts for the Phillies against their former "ace" Brett Myers, who will be starting for the Houston Astros to begin a three-game series.

This season is undoubtedly one that all Phillies fans are looking forward to, and one that they hopefully will never forget for all the right reasons.

It's here! It's finally here! The day all baseball fans begin counting down towards once pitchers and catchers report in February: Opening Day! Hope springs eternal for all 30 teams and their fans.

Maybe this will be the year the Twins finally get over the hump and win a playoff series. This may be the year we see the first $300 million player in Albert Pujols and maybe this will be the year that somebody knocks Roy Halladay off as the best pitcher in the game today platform.

After receiving an MRI yesterday, it was determined that Brad Lidge's injury woes will continue: he has a strain in the back of his right shoulder rotator cuff. In other words, according to Courier Post Online, this is equivalent to a tear, and he could even be out until July.

There may not be a team in baseball with more passionate fans than the Philadelphia Phillies. For all of the years of losing through the early 1970's, late 1980's and early 1990's, they have seen many years of success as well.