For the first time in five years, the Augusta GreenJackets will open their season at home and they'll avoid the dreaded "Masters hangover" in the process.

The South Atlantic League team is expected to release its 2008 schedule today, and it is a relatively favorable one. Among the positives is the team's first home season-opening series since 2003.

Augusta and the Greensboro Grasshoppers will meet for a four-game set at Lake Olmstead Stadium on April 3-6. The home stand will finish one day before Masters Week begins.

"We think it will work out really well for us," GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said. "Usually when we start after the Masters, everyone still is focusing on that, and rightfully so. We've always heard the expression 'Masters hangover' because of it.

"Hopefully next year we'll get some preseason buzz going and can capture some of the energy from the major leagues' opening up about the same time as us. I think we'll jump the gun this year."

Augusta will play at home on July 4 and on Memorial Day, two of the most popular holidays, against the Charleston RiverDogs, Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

"Having Memorial Day this year is big for us, as well as July Fourth," Brown said. "Last year we had our July Fourth celebration in June, so we're happy about next year."

The schedule features a good balance of weekend dates for Augusta. There are 10 scheduled Thursday dates, when the team features its popular "Thirsty Thursday" $1 beverage promotion.

May is Augusta's busiest month, featuring 16 games, another positive because Brown said the team tends to draw better during April, May and June, when the temperature tends to be cooler.

The GreenJackets, affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have posted the best regular-season record among full-season teams in the minor leagues in each of the past two seasons.

They also have seen their attendance increase notably the past two years since Ripken Baseball Group, led by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., purchased the team after the 2005 season.

Brown said he hopes that trend will continue, and he said the team expects to bring in more nationally known entertainment acts and may expand its fireworks promotions, as well.