PHILADELPHIA -- The pleasing aroma of freshly grilled cheesesteaks will waft in from Ashburn Alley on Tuesday for the first time in more than a week, and that could be a very good thing.

It's a smell the players had come to love in the week prior to the disappointing West Coast road trip. Returning to Citizens Bank Park for 22 of their next 29 games -- beginning with a three-game series with the Mets -- has the players hoping to taste victory.

"I think we created something here and we're looking forward to coming back," David Bell said before the week-long trip. "It's very important to feel good in your own ballpark."

The Phillies have felt great in their own ballpark, thanks to a 12-1 home stand that preceded the 2-4 road trip through Seattle and Oakland. Manager Charlie Manuel thought his team lost some of its intensity, but the offense was missing the most.

While the pitchers compiled a 2.83 ERA at spacious Safeco Field in Seattle and McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, the offense contributed with a .238 average and managed 14 runs, or 2.3 a game. They hit .179 with runners in scoring position.

The Phillies bashed their way to a .309 average with 21 homers and 89 runs (6.3 per game) while beating up on the Giants, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Brewers.

"We get to go home now," said manager Charlie Manuel. "We had a tough road trip. We didn't hit, we didn't score, we didn't play very good. I think we kind of lost some of the intensity and focus we had."

After going 42-39 last year while adjusting to the park's nuances, the Phillies have found a groove in 2005. They're 22-11 at home, but 16-21 on the road.

Location isn't the only important aspect of this next cluster of most home games. Sixteen of the 29 come against NL West opponents, including the Mets and first-place Nationals. While the Phillies are 38-32 overall, they're 12-18 within their division.

Manuel has said often that the divisional games will go a long way toward determining Philadelphia's fate. And the fact that they get the Mets, Braves, Nationals and Marlins at home for one series each (they also play the Mets at Shea Stadium) can only help.

"There's electricity there and that's why you play," said Jim Thome. "Our fans play a big part in that."

That hasn't always been the case in a Philadelphia. Heck, it might not have been the case as recently as April.

Now?

"It's like, 'When's the door open?'" Thome said. "That's what it's all about. It's definitely become a place that we're starting to feel comfortable in. From our side, we appreciate how the fans have hung in there. It's definitely been a home-field advantage."

Added Bell, "The more you win (at home), the more you get used to it, and expect it."

Cheesesteak anyone?