Rollins: Experience should help Phils

PHILADELPHIA -- A crowd of reporters surrounded Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins at his locker Sunday.

He is asked if he thinks at all about the last time the Phillies played the Rockies in the National League Division Series, when the Rockies swept them in the best-of-five series in 2007.

The Phillies and Rockies meet again in the 2009 NLDS, beginning Wednesday at 2:37 p.m. ET with Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park on TBS and Postseason.TV.

Phillies at a glance 2009 record: 93-69 2008 record: 92-70 NL East champs NLCS matchup: Phillies at Dodgers Postseason tix: Information WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Madson: Back in business • Werth: Heart of the order • Rollins: Awaiting breakout • Focus: One game at a time • Manuel: Mix & match • Howard: Ready for lefties • Stairs: Shot reverberates • Manuel: New rules for 'pen • Blanton: Arm around team • Pedro: Return to spotlight • Ibanez: Eyes on prize • Rollins: '07 irrelevant • Lidge: Still an option • Lidge: Killer cutter • Roster: Mulling options • Ibanez: Perfect fit • Hamels: Path of the pros • Amaro: Bold decisions • Pedro: Elated to play part • Rollins: No more predictions • Hamels: Back in business • Pitching: Staff in flux • Manuel: Keeps 'em focused • Hamels: Aims for dominance • Lineup: Imperfect but solid • Lee: Ready for playoff debut • Howard: The evolution • Rollins: Excelling on defense • Rotation: Not just big two • Manuel: Steady as she goes • Rollins: Eyes on '09 drama • Howard: The 'Big Piece' • Lee: Lifting Phils' hopes More Phillies coverage • Howard ties Gehrig's postseason RBI record Bats, Lee team up for rout in Game 3 Howard's RBI streak sets playoff mark Postseason going brilliant-Lee for lefty Blanton seeks return to clutch form Upbeat Moyer happy to rejoin club Phils rounding into title form Manuel committed to Lidge Cold temperatures will be a challenge Pedro brilliant, but Phils falter late in Game 2 Pedro masterful in return to big stage Utley at center of defensive struggles Phillies turn to Lee for Game 3 Phillies warmed by return to chilly home Bullpen woes return in Game 2 loss Bodley: Utley error opens door Phillies' power capitalizes on free passes Mix-and-match relief works vs. LA Phils edge Rockies for 2-1 NLDS lead Lidge finds redemption in crucial spot Umps admit missing call on Utley hit Given extra day, Phils to go with Happ Phillies glad to see Game 3 postponed Extra off-day alters clubs' options Winter-like weather forces Game 3 postponement Postponements a postseason tradition Myers feeling good after playoff outing Hamels to rejoin Phillies after birth of son Moyer in hospital with blood infection Phils rally, but must settle for split Clubs trade places for Game 3 Pedro, Blanton, Happ up for Game 3 nod Chilly reception awaits in Denver It's not sunny in Philadelphia for Hamels Hamels leaves to be with wife in labor Kalas still a presence in Phils' house Utley battling past late-season struggles Phillies, Rockies fill familiar roles Lee masterful in opening victory Phillies show patience, break through Running shoes put to good use Wind makes for wild afternoon Hamels unhappy with starting times Phils will use all bullpen options Avenging '07 not on Phils' minds Reserves shine in regular-season finale With loss, Phils plan ahead for NLDS Phils remain one back for home-field Phils fall game back for best record Phils clinch third straight NL East crown Eyeing historic postseason run NLDS opponent to be determined Phils power way closer to clinch Moyer exits game with left groin strain Manuel talks to Phils behind closed doors Phils hold on, lower magic number to 3 Walk-off slows Phils in Milwaukee Two mistakes cost Lee, Phillies dearly Pedro scratched, Kendrick to start Happ strong as Phillies pound Brewers After twin-bill split with Fish, Phils focus on finale Phils wait out rain, win finale over Braves Phils have hard road to repeat glory Manuel wants Phillies to turn it up a notch Finishing strong motivates Phillies Kendrick shines in first start Lidge endures roller-coaster week

Rollins paused.

"I don't even see the relevance to that question," he finally said. "They beat us three times. Oh well. We're beyond that."

Rollins has been with the Phillies since 2000, so he has a good perspective on things. So the Rockies swept the Phillies in '07. So what? He is expecting different results this time.

The Phils were a young team that might have been happy to finally break the 14-year drought of postseason-free baseball two years ago. That team matured and remained focused in 2008, when it won the World Series.

This team wants to do it again. It wants to build a legacy.

"We have a chance to try to defend the title," Rollins said. "This is when it starts. You have to get to the postseason to have that opportunity. Last year we came in, knowing we could win, but not knowing how far we could go. This year we come in, I guess you could call it with supreme confidence because we've been to the mountain as [manager] Charlie [Manuel] likes to say.

"We know we can," Rolins added. "There's no doubt about that. Being through every stage we found a way to win. We're just looking forward to doing that again. Of course, we're going to have to work our way through that this year. Things are different, obviously. Every day has a new beginning and end, and starting Wednesday, we'll find out where we are.

"The intensity is going to be great. The fans know what to expect. We know what to expect. It's just a matter of going out and executing. Not falling victim to too much hype or going on the road and going into a shell. We have that experience and it always helps. It's still going to be a game of baseball. Whoever executes is going to win."