Phils' 5-1 sure feels better than 0-6, eh, Boston?

THE DIFFERENCE between 5-1 and 0-6 is about 300 miles and a similar measure on the nearest angst-o-meter (patent pending). The Phillies and Red Sox, preseason betting favorites to collide in the World Series, are instead strapped onto rockets traveling in opposite directions, all the while offering up a case study in the underrated value of peace of mind.

In the first week of the season, the Phillies have assuaged every fear born during a nervous, injury-marred spring training. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have been swept in two series by the Rangers and the, ahem, Indians.

Phillies fans danced out of Citizens Bank Park yesterday after their team bludgeoned the Mets, 11-0. After the game, relaxed, a couple of the pitchers entertained themselves by flying a radio-controlled helicopter around the clubhouse. (It will come as no shock that Roy Halladay is really good at that, too.)

On the same afternoon but in a very different place, the Red Sox - after losing again, losing by 1-0, the only run scoring on a suicide squeeze - were pleading for some patience from the paying customers as they prepared to leave Cleveland and return to Boston for the home opener.

"We need 'em," said second baseman Dustin Pedroia, according to the Boston Herald. "We need someone on our side. Carl [Crawford] and [Kevin Youkilis] and J.D. Drew, they were getting yelled at the whole time. It'll be good to have someone cheering for us for a change.

"You're either two feet in now or you're two feet out. Let us know now, because we're coming."

Phillies, 5-1. Red Sox, 0-6. And one can only imagine what it might be like if the two feet were on the other foot.

This is not about the teams themselves, not about major league players who either manage to embrace the it's-a-long-season mantra or die in that failure. This is one of those platitudes that they all mouth because it happens to be true. As Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said, "I think it's pretty important that you get off to a good start because you don't ever want to start behind. At the same time, 5-1, that's a good record but, believe me, that can vanish real quick."