Perhaps emboldened by touching up Tom Glavine for two HR’s in the Phillies’ 5-3 loss to the Mets last night, Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins insists to the New York Daily News’ Sean Brennan that his club is still the team to beat in the NL East.

“Nothing’s changed,” Rollins said. “I should say nothing changes.”

Rollins left Shea with his Phillies reeling. After dropping two of three to the Mets, the Phillies fell to 2-7 on the young season, one of the club’s worst starts in 20 years.

But after hitting home runs in his first two at-bats last night, Rollins was feeling confident and not contrite. “No, it’s not good, it’s disappointing,” Rollins said. “But, shoot, nine games into the season, when we come out and catch fire, we will be right where we need to be.”

Then he smiled before he walked out of the clubhouse, because he knew that statement would be another for Mets fans to simmer about.

Rollins’ preseason boast has fueled Mets fans’ ire. They repeatedly let him know it throughout the series. Every time he walked out of the dugout and toward the batter’s box, the crowd came to life, screaming and booing.

And the contrarian Rollins reveled in it.

“I loved it,” Rollins said. “It’s just a lot of fun out there. (The fans) give you energy, whether they realize or not, it makes coming to the ballpark a lot more fun. Helps you concentrate, helps you out go out there and play better, actually.”

Indeed, J-Ro’s two blasts off Glavine came the night after he had to put up with Jeff Jensen yelling “get in the van, Rollins!” for much of Wednesday’s contest.