So what if the Philadelphia Phillies are about to get hot?
Admittedly, the Atlanta Braves don’t want to think too hard about that question. The Phillies, who had eliminated NL East champion Atlanta from the playoffs the past two years, won for the first time after experiencing a tough and demoralizing Aprils.
There was nothing this month.
The Phillies are ending the month on a high note, winning eight of their last 10 games, including an emotional sweep in San Diego. At 19-10, they are barely on pace for Atlanta’s major league-best 19-7 record.
This is in stark contrast to 2022, when the Phillies were a .500 team after a month, and last year’s 25-30 start, when new shortstop Trey Turner struggled mightily. Well, Turner is already at an MVP clip, and no club has a better starting pitcher.
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It’s no wonder the Phillies are making moves in USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings.
Looking at this week’s rankings,
- Marcell Ozuna scored 31 points in 26 games.
- We may have reached the “and they never looked back” part of this program.
- After Craig Kimbrel made two blowout saves, the bullpen was in disarray — the Yankees were at home next.
- The AL’s second-best team ERA (3.08) and first-best OPS (.773) will clash in Baltimore.
- He had an impressive performance against Atlanta, even though he should have won two out of three games.
- Alec Bohm’s OPS of 1.056 made the lineup a veritable temple of destruction.
- He gave up 30 runs in two games against the Yankees.
- Center fielder TJ Friedl is expected to begin rehabbing this week.
- Cody Bellinger’s broken ribs clears the way for Pete Crow Armstrong.
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- Wyatt Langford simply wanted to show off his speed by hitting his first career home run inside the park.
- George Kirby returned to form with a career-high 12 strikeouts.
- The offseason bargain season may be showing up on the field as well.
- It’s very unfortunate that Triston Casas suffered a torn rib cage.
- They are only half a game behind the Tigers, but the running difference is +43 to +3.
- Maybe Kevin Ginkel will be able to hold down the closer role this time around.
- Jose Quintana should be good trade bait if they fall out of contention.
- Are we living in a world where Tarik Skubal (1.72 ERA) starts the All-Star Game?
- Being overwhelmed by the White Sox may be the worst in six years.
- Keaton Wynn has a 1.96 ERA in his last four starts.
Manny Machado returned to third base after offseason surgery.
- After a 9-2 start, they fell to 5-13.
- Bats must be alive after a wake-up call in Mexico City.
- Jacob Young started his career with 21 stolen bases in 21 at-bats.
- He achieved seven consecutive wins when no one was watching.
- Another minor league reset for Jordan Walker.
- Anthony Rendon didn’t make it in May.
- The 4-6 road trip following the sweep in Cleveland was impressive.
- We’ve seen enough that this is a bad team.
- He is 3-0 during the Tommy Pham era.
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