Atlanta (0-0) at Philadelphia (0-0)

The Atlanta Braves’ unprecedented run of 14 straight division titles ended last season. While the Braves think they can get back on top, the Philadelphia Phillies think they’re ready to become the new team to beat in the NL East.

The Braves will be adjusting to the unfamiliar role of underdogs in the division when they face an optimistic Phillies club Monday in the teams’ season opener.

Atlanta finished third in the East last season, six games behind Philadelphia and 18 behind the New York Mets. The Braves, who had won 11 straight NL East titles after moving from the West, finished under .500 for the first time since 1990 - one season before their run of division championships began.

“I had never been anywhere but the playoffs,” said center fielder Andruw Jones, entering his 12th season with Atlanta. “It was tough to see other guys popping champagne.”

Still, Jones doesn’t mind flying under the radar as the season opens.

“They’ve got us finishing third,” he said. “We’re kind of the underdogs. I like that.”

The Phillies, meanwhile, haven’t reached the playoffs since 1993, but have remained in contention for the wild card until the final weekend the last two seasons. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins made some headlines this spring when he said that his team, and not the Mets, were the class of the East this year.

“It was shocking because other people weren’t expecting him to say it,” said teammate Ryan Howard, the reigning NL MVP. “He’s basically saying what everyone feels. Everybody in this locker room feels we have a great team this year. We got a chance to do a lot of good stuff. Jimmy was the one who came out and said it. When he said it, it opened up a lot of people’s eyes.”

The Phillies led the NL with 865 runs last season and ranked third with 216 home runs. They’ll try to duplicate that performance this year behind a lineup led by Howard, who hit 58 homers, Rollins and All-Star second baseman Chase Utley.

Philadelphia looked to upgrade its pitching to complement its powerful lineup, adding Freddy Garcia and Adam Eaton to a rotation that includes Brett Myers, who won a team-high 12 games last season, Cole Hamels and veteran lefty Jamie Moyer, a late-season acquisition from Seattle.

The Phillies will be looking to get off to a better start after going 10-14 in April in each of their last two seasons.

The Braves ranked second in the league with 849 runs and first with 222 homers in 2006, and the middle of the order should again be potent with Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Jeff Francoeur and 2006 All-Star Brian McCann, who was given a six-year, $26.8 million contract this spring.

The Braves, however, traded Adam LaRoche, who hit 32 homers and drove in 90 runs, and did not re-sign last season’s leadoff hitter, Marcus Giles.

The Braves’ biggest priority in the offseason was upgrading a bullpen that led the NL with 29 blown saves in 2006. They re-signed closer Bob Wickman, who converted 18 of 19 save chances after being acquired late last season, to a one-year, $6.5 million contract. Atlanta also dramatically improved the setup situation in front of Wickman, picking up left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez in the deal for LaRoche and adding right-hander Rafael Soriano from Seattle.

Veteran right-hander John Smoltz, who gets the start Monday for Atlanta, was pleased with the changes in the bullpen, which blew save opportunities in six of his 10 no-decisions.

“It’s tremendous,” Smoltz said. “That doesn’t guarantee wins, but it is a very good mix.”

Smoltz, who turns 40 in May, is the only player who was with the Braves for all of the 14 straight division titles. He went 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA last season, leading the team in wins and innings pitched (232.0).

Smoltz won his last four starts last season, allowing three total earned runs in those outings. He recorded a 3.86 ERA without receiving a decision in two starts against the Phillies in 2006, and is 13-12 with a 3.53 ERA and 11 saves in 62 career appearances—33 starts—all-time against them.

Myers, 12-7 with a 3.91 ERA last season, will take the mound for Philadelphia in his first opening-day start. He’s 4-5 with a 4.14 ERA in 16 starts against Atlanta and went 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA in five outings against them last season.

“When you face (other aces) you have to bring your ‘A’ game,” Myers said. “It means a lot to be categorized with those guys, but any of our guys could be put in the ace spot and be able to perform. We have a good staff.”