NL EAST Phils not panicking despite 1-6 launch

Philadelphia is expected to edge Atlanta for the division title.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Struggle at the start, finish strong at the end, win the World Series.
That's been the blueprint for the last three championship teams. At least the Philadelphia Phillies have the first part down.
Just one week into the season, the Phillies are off to a horrible 1-6 start. But no one is panicking -- not yet, anyway.
"There's no reason right now for there to be any doubt," left fielder Pat Burrell said. "Obviously, it's unfortunate we're 1-6, but it goes on. The last thing you can do is to start panicking and pressing and worrying about it, because we are a good team. We are a great team."
Last year, the Florida Marlins opened with six losses in their first eight games. They eventually beat out the Phillies for the NL wild card spot and won their second title in seven years.
In 2002, the Anaheim Angels started 3-8. They went on to win the first championship in team history. The Arizona Diamondbacks began the 2001 season with a 4-8 record, before winning their first World Series.
"It's seven games," outfielder Doug Glanville said. "Seventy games and we can talk about it. Seven games? We'll see where we are in a couple weeks."
Major changes
After making several significant additions -- closer Billy Wagner, pitchers Eric Milton and Tim Worrell -- in the offseason, the Phillies entered the season as favorites to win the NL East, and end Atlanta's unprecedented string of 12 straight division championships.
But a dismal offense has the Phillies' off to their worst start since 1987, when they opened 1-8. Philadelphia entered Tuesday's games with the worst record in the majors. Only one team has scored fewer runs than the Phillies, who have 16 runs in seven games for an average of 2.3 per game.
Despite a lineup that includes Burrell, Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu, the Phillies have just two home runs.
Thome has no homers and hasn't driven in any runs, though he's hitting .296. Abreu (.120), Mike Lieberthal (.083), Jimmy Rollins (.160) and Marlon Byrd (.200) are hitting a combined .141 (14-for-99).
"We're not getting any breaks right now," Thome said. "We just need to go out and get a win. Once you get one, they're contagious."
While the offense deserves most of the blame for the Phillies' poor start, the pitching has been more inconsistent than stellar.
The starters have a 4.26 ERA, enhanced by Randy Wolf's 6.10 ERA. Closer Wagner and setup man Worrell haven't given up any runs, but they haven't had many leads to protect. Relievers Roberto Hernandez, Rheal Cormier and Amaury Telemaco have a combined 8.10 ERA.