PITTSBURGH - Before the Philadelphia Phillies officially open their new ballpark, they will meet a once-familiar rival that has learned a new park doesn't necessarily equate into on-field success.

The Phillies open Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are still waiting three years after PNC Park's debut for the big boost in attendance, income - and victories - Philadelphia expects this season in its stylish new home.

The Phillies' Kevin Millwood, looking for a big season in a contract year, opposes the Pirates' Kip Wells in a matchup of right-handers who, when they're on, can be as nasty as any National League starter.

"Once you get past the pregame ceremonies and the jitters that go along with that, obviously you have a job to do: get the team on a roll and kind of set the tone for the season," said Wells, whose 2.12 home ERA last season was the best of any NL starter.

The Pirates' problem: They can't pitch Wells in all 81 games at much-praised but infrequently filled PNC Park, where crowds have dropped off every season since its opening in 2001.

Even opening day, once an automatic sellout, no longer guarantees a full house in Pittsburgh. The Pirates were still selling seats Sunday, but a gametime forecast of temperatures in the high 30s for the late-afternoon start was discouraging last-minute sales.

So was the Pirates' worst spring training record (12-20-1) since 1985, when they lost 104 games. Their record wasn't all that surprising, considering their roster is a hodgepodge filled with castoffs (Raul Mondesi, Randall Simon, Chris Stynes), six rookies and a promising but still-underachieving starting rotation.

"But we've cleaned up that locker room, and the players who are in there now expect to win," manager Lloyd McClendon said.

The question is whether they can do it enough to make an impact in the Cubs- and Astros-dominated NL Central; the Pirates' 75 victories last season were their most since 1999.

By contrast, the Phillies look to be peaking just as they move into their new park.

The pitching staff might have undergone the biggest upgrade this side of Houston, with Eric Milton added to the rotation, Tim Worrell to the bullpen and Billy Wagner now closing out games with his 100-mph fastball. Last year's failed closer, Jose Mesa (6.52 ERA), has the same role in Pittsburgh.

If their new park is even reasonably homer-friendly, Jim Thome could become the first Phillies player to hit 50 homers in a season. With Bobby Abreu (101 RBIs) hitting in front of him, Thome could have all the protection he needs if No. 5 hitter Pat Burrell enjoys a bounceback season.

"We feel we have a good club. We also understand having a good club on paper is a different ballgame too," Thome said. "We need to get out and get going."

Once Thome feels the biting winds blowing off Pittsburgh's three rivers, he might wish the Phillies had opened at Florida, where they play this weekend before their April 12 home opener.

Of course, a big opening day start by Millwood could make them forget the weather. He went 14-12 with a 4.01 ERA after coming over from the Braves, but was 1-3 with a 5.95 ERA in September, when the Phillies were overhauled for the NL wild card by the Marlins.

Now, with several of the Marlins' key components gone and the Braves seemingly on the decline, the Phillies are a popular pick to make up the 15 games they finished behind Atlanta last year and win the division.

"We've got the team, we've got the guys here, now we just have to play," Wagner said.

Still, the most excited ballplayer in either clubhouse Monday figures to be 25-year-old Pirates rookie left-hander Mike Johnston. He dropped out of suburban Philadelphia high school 10 years ago because of Tourette's syndrome, now finds himself in the big leagues.

And his first appearance is likely to come against the Phillies.

"You've got to be kidding me," he said. "It's unbelievable."