Key dates in Phillies' season

March 3: The first exhibition game is against Florida State in Clearwater. For what it's worth, the Seminoles are ranked fifth in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' preseason poll.

April 2: The Pirates are in for the first of two exhibition games at Citizens Bank Park.

April 5: Season opener at Washington, 1:05 start. About 9 hours later, Cliff Lee probably will make his first start for the Mariners, at Oakland. Just sayin'.

April 9: The Phils visit Houston for three, which also is new Astros pitcher Brett Myers' first opportunity to "stick it" to the Phils.

April 12: The home opener against the Nationals, at 3:05. This is sort of like when college football teams schedule patsies for the homecoming game.

April 15: The Phils get their rings for winning the National League pennant before a game against Washington. Yawn. The night before, though, they're giving out NL champs T-shirts.

April 30: The Mets, going for the four-peat of coming up short for the playoffs, make their first visit to CBP.

May 18: Score one for the Phillies' marketing department. If you're going to give away a Roy Halladay bobblehead, a Tuesday in May against the Pirates is as good a day as any.

May 21: The Red Sox are in town for a weekend series.

May 24: The annual ALS Festival.

June 11-13: The Phils visit Fenway. A round-trip Amtrak ticket is about $80. You're on your own for getting into the stadium.

June 15-17: Charlie Manuel is hoping to get another crack at the Yankees in October. By the end of this stretch, the Phils will know where they measure up against AL East's best.

June 18: Twins catcher and reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer makes his first career visit to CBP. Mauer hit .365 with 28 homers and 96 RBI last year.

June 25: Roy Halladay, celebrating his return to Toronto, convinces Charlie Manuel to allow him to start all three games. Manuel agrees, but insists on a pitch count of 300.

July 8-9: Even though the Braves are in July 5-7, fireworks nights are being held after these Reds' games. With the Phils providing two opportunities, this is a good year for fireworks.

July 13: The midsummer classic is in Anaheim, but it won't be much of a break for the Phillies' All-Stars. Two days before, the Phils host Cincinnati. Two days later, they start the second half of the season in Chicago against the Cubs.

July 31: The final day to trade players without first sending them through waivers.

Aug. 6: Wall of Fame night sponsored by Toyota.

Aug. 23: Houston makes its only visit to Philadelphia. New Astros third baseman Pedro Feliz, whose game-winning hit clinched the 2008 World Series, ought to get a huge ovation his first time up.

Aug. 31: Postseason rosters frozen.

Sept. 1: Roster limit increased from 25 to 40 players.

Sept. 6: A visit from the Marlins begins a closing stretch of 24 consecutive games against NL East opponents.

Oct. 3: The Phils' regular-season finale, at Atlanta. Barring playoffs, it could also be the final game for retiring Braves manager Bobby Cox.