Writer: Kevin Durso
Phillies to open 2013 in Atlanta; home opener a 1980 rematch
Kevin have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. He is also Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey, a Flyers writer for Last Word On Hockey, and the host of the Flyers Files Podcast on BFA Live Sports. Kevin graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.
All posts by Kevin DursoPublished24 Aug 2012
The new division alignment is set to take effect in 2013. And the Phillies will get an immediate taste of that.
According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies will open the 2013 season in Atlanta on April 2. They will also close the season in Atlanta.
However, instead of facing a division rival or a National League foe to open their home schedule, the Phillies will play an American League team.
The Kansas City Royals will be the opponent at the Phillies' home opener in 2013 on April 5.
As part of the realignment, the Houston Astros, currently in the NL Central, will move to the AL West. That will balance the two leagues out at 15 teams each.
The Phillies will play 21 interleague games in 2013, instead of 15 like they did this season. They will host the Royals, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians while making trips to face the Indians, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers.
The Phillies will also play a four-game "home-and-home" series with the Boston Red Sox, their "natural rival." Each city will host two games of the four-game series.
Dates for these interleague series and the rest of the schedule will likely be announced in September.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
