Phils drag their sorry story north

Raise your hand if you're looking forward to the 2015 Phillies.

Thought so.

The Phils wrapped up their Grapefruit League campaign in Florida yesterday by getting thumped by the Rays, 10-1. It marks three times in their last four games they've given up double digits in runs. In one of those games they got torched for 18.

Yesterday's starter Jerome Williams gave up six runs and nine hits in five and 2/3 innings.

Jonathan Papelbon, aside from providing some comic relief by taking the mound wearing Carlos Ruiz's jersey, did not help much. He gave up four runs in the ninth inning while recording just one out.

Want to look on the bright side?

Chase Utley is hot, scorching a bunch of homers in the last few days. The opening day starter, Cole Hamels, looked very sharp in his final spring training tuneup.

The Phils will be back in Philly tonight for the annual 'On Deck' series. If they can squeeze it in between the raindrops, they'll play the Pirates tonight and again tomorrow.

Our Phillies beat writer, Dennis Deitch, gets back in the saddle today with a column noting that hope is not exactly springing eternal from the play of the team in Clearwater.

Hey, if all else fails, the team has announced they will be selling wine and alcohol at Citizens Bank Park this year.

Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

How long until the first E-A-G-L-E-S chant breaks out?

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