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Philadelphia Phillies' Hunter Pence is safe stealing second as New York Yankees second baseman Doug Bernier fields the throw during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game at Brighthouse Field in Clearwater, Fla., Friday, March 23, 2012.

Kathy Willens, Associated Press

CLEARWATER, Fla. Hunter Pence's piercing blue eyes grow even wider when he hears the word playoffs.

Reaching the postseason is no longer a dream for Pence. It's an expectation.

When the Philadelphia Phillies acquired the two-time All-Star right fielder from Houston last July, Pence jumped from one of the worst teams in the majors to one of the best. He got his first taste of pennant fever, and wants more.

"Words can't describe how amazing it was," Pence said. "Losing in the first round was pretty painful, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life."

Despite a franchise-record and major league-leading 102 wins, the Phillies lost in five games to eventual World Series champion St. Louis in the NL division series. It was a bitter disappointment for fans and everyone in the organization.

Winning five straight division titles and the 2008 World Series raised expectations to enormous levels in Philadelphia. Now, anything less than another championship isn't considered a success.

For some, that's pressure. For Pence, it's an adrenaline rush.

"It's very exciting," he said. "It's a great time to be a part of this organization. It's great from the top down. The fans are incredible and in this clubhouse, the expectations are to win a World Series. You couldn't ask for more."

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Pence excited about Phils' expectations