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(Sports Network) - The New York Mets will hold the final home opener in Shea Stadium history this afternoon, as they host their National League East rival Philadelphia Phillies.

The Mets have played the home portion of their schedule at Shea since 1964, but will move into the brand-new Citi Field next season. New York actually lost its first four home openers ever at Shea Stadium, but are 30-14 all-time there in lid lifters since.

New York defeated Philadelphia last year in its first game at Shea to win its fourth straight opener as the host.

Making this historic start for the Mets today will be left-hander Oliver Perez, who was stellar in his season debut last Wednesday in Florida. Perez threw six shutout innings while allowing five hits and striking out eight in a 13-0 pounding of the Marlins.

The 26-year-old has struggled in his career against the Phillies, going 0-2 in three starts against them last year and 1-3 with a 4.85 earned run average in eight lifetime starts versus Philadelphia.

This will mark the first meeting between the division foes this season. The Phillies went 12-6 versus New York last year, including wins in each of the last eight meetings.

That includes a three-game sweep at Shea in mid-September that was part of the Mets' epic collapse that cost them the division title and a playoff spot. New York held a seven-game edge with 17 games to play, but went on to lose 12 of its final 17 games. That run, which began with the three-game sweep by the Phils, ended with an 8-1 pounding at home by Florida, giving the Phils the division title after their win over Washington.

Philadelphia also did its part by winning 13 of its final 17 games en route to its first division title and playoff appearance since 1993.

New York, which plays the first of nine straight at home today, enters this set after getting swept in a weather-shortened two-game set by the Atlanta Braves. Johan Santana (1-1) was spectacular in defeat, surrendering just one run on seven hits in seven innings. Ryan Church had the lone RBI after singling home David Wright in the ninth inning.

The Phillies' potent offense finally got going on Monday just in time for this series. Pat Burrell belted two of Philadelphia's four homers in a 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds. That is not a good sign for New York, as Burrell has 41 career home runs in 134 games versus the Mets.

Jimmy Rollins, last year's MVP who named the Phillies the team to beat prior to the 2007 season, drawing the wrath of Mets fans, led off Monday's win with a homer, while Geoff Jenkins also went deep to give Philly a split of the four-game series.

Cole Hamels (1-1) shook off a rough first inning to toss seven strong frames. He was charged with two runs -- one earned -- on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Both runs came in the opening frame. Tom Gordon hurled a perfect eighth and Brad Lidge worked in and out of trouble in the ninth to nail down his first save with the Phillies.

Jamie Moyer will take the starting assignment today. His 22nd season in the majors didn't get off to the best of starts his last time out, as the 45- year-old lefty lasted just 3 2/3 innings against Washington on Thursday, allowing six runs (3 earned) on nine hits in a no-decision.

Moyer is 5-3 in 11 career starts against the Mets with a 2.62 ERA, and went 1-1 versus New York last year.