Phillies seek to fight low expectations

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies took the field on Monday for the start of the 2015 season with the intent of disproving all who suggest keeping expectations low.

Oddsmakers in Las Vegas have the over under of Phillies wins at 67, which means they think the team will come within five games of losing 100.

But on Opening Day, hope springs eternal.

"I know everything gets defined with wins and losses, but right now we are 0-0 and we get to decide our own destiny, and decide our own fate," said pitcher Cole Hamels.

"I think we can be competitive in certain areas, I think we have guys competing for jobs," said Jonathan Papelbon. "We got some guys coming back in the bullpen that have had some success in previous years. We have good new starters on our staff. When you put all that together, hopefully we can string together a few wins.

However, the Red Sox - the Phillies' Opening Day opponent - also face similar concerns.

They lost more than 90 games in 2014 but, with some off-season rebuilding, Boston hopes to compete.