On the wall of his office at the Phillies' spring training complex, Charlie Manuel has a quote from the late Billy Martin, his former manager with the Minnesota Twins. It reads, "It's not a light bulb. You can't turn it on and off."

That's what Manuel has tried to tell the Phillies all spring.

Built to defend their National League East crown and contend for a World Series title, the Phillies had lost seven of eight spring training games in mid-March when Manuel threatened to lecture his players on the importance of sharpening their play before the season opens. But before he could hold a team meeting, the Phillies began to play better.

Now, Manuel hopes it carries over into the season.

The Phillies, who clinched the NL East on the final day of last season after trailing the New York Mets by seven games with 17 to play, are anchored by their potent offense. Led by back-to-back NL MVPs Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins and perennial MVP candidate Chase Utley, there's little question the Phillies will score enough runs to win games. They even replaced departed free agent Aaron Rowand's production by adding veteran outfielder Geoff Jenkins and Pedro Feliz to the lineup, and the bench became stronger when they signed outfielder So Taguchi.

But questions abound about the Phillies' pitching. Last season, they posted a 4.73 team ERA and made the playoffs with the highest ERA since the 1995 Colorado Rockies. They traded for closer Brad Lidge in November, a move that allowed them to shift Brett Myers back to the rotation. But they were unable to add additional pitching through trades or free agency, and they'll rely on 45-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer, 2007 rookie sensation Kyle Kendrick and free agent disappointment Adam Eaton in the back of the rotation.

The Phillies were plagued by injuries last season, and they've had health concerns this spring. Lidge underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Feb. 25, and he'll open the season on the disabled list. However, the team hopes he'll be ready to return as soon as April 5. Eaton, diagnosed with a herniated disk in his lower back, appears to have gotten the problem under control.

Manuel would like to see the Phillies get off to a better start. In the past three years, the Phillies have posted 10-14, 10-14 and 11-14 records in April, leaving them to climb back into the playoff race.

PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON
Not burdened with having to attend MVP banquets this winter, Ryan Howard lost weight, reported to camp in shape and has had a solid spring training. Three of his five home runs through Sunday went to the opposite field, a sign that he's swinging the bat well. Howard, who leads the majors in home runs and RBIs over the past two seasons, could be poised for another monster year.

ON THE DECLINE
RHP Tom Gordon insists his shoulder has felt strong this spring, but the 40-year-old setup man continues to pitch through a slight tear in his labrum. The Phillies will have to be judicious about how often they use Gordon, who missed two months last season with the shoulder problem. Gordon figures to be a vital piece of the Phillies' bullpen with new closer Brad Lidge and lefty setup man J.C. Romero.

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