After getting off to just a 13-12 start to the season, the Phillies have recently bounced back in a big way, going 7-3 in their last 10 games after a big win on Tuesday. As it currently stands, they hold a 20-15 record heading into action on Wednesday and are just two games behind the rival New York Mets in the NL East standings, with the potential for a big May ahead if they play their cards right.
The Phillies’ upcoming May schedule is tailor-made for a hot streak — as long as they don't play down to their competition.
Thanks to a soft schedule, Phillies could have a big May if they beat the teams they're supposed to beat
Over the course of the next three weeks, they only face two teams currently with a winning record: the Cleveland Guardians and the surging Athletics. Both of these matchups will take place on the road. The Phillies travel to Cleveland for a three game series this weekend, while they will make their first trip to the Athletics' new home in Sacramento on Memorial Day weekend from May 23-25.
Elsewhere on the schedule this month, the Phillies resume their series against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight and take on the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers, who are all at or below the .500 mark as we speak.
Here's what the Phillies' schedule looks like heading into their game with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday:
- 2 @ Tampa Bay Rays (16-19)
- 3 @ Cleveland Guardians (22-15)
- 3 vs. St. Louis Cardinals (19-19)
- 3 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-25)
- 4 @ Colorado Rockies (6-28)
- 3 @ Athletics (20-17)
- 3 vs. Atlanta Braves (17-18)
- 3 vs. Milwaukee Brewers (19-19)
It will certainly not be a walk in the park despite the strength of schedule, as these are all teams that have had success against the Phillies in the past, especially the Braves. Since the start of the 2023 campaign, the Phillies have posted just a 15-18 record against Atlanta, which includes a three-game series in April where the Braves won two out of the three games at Truist Park.
While the schedule is certainly in the Phillies' favor, the notion of beating the teams you are supposed to beat can sometimes be a lot tougher in practice. We’ve seen that the Phillies are a very streaky team, and when they’re hot they can beat any team in baseball. On the other hand, when they are cold it can create a sense of panic and plenty of overreactions across the board.
If the Phillies can take care of business and play up to their potential, they have the chance to chase down the Mets in the NL East and solidify themselves as one of the powerhouses of the National League. With the momentum that they have built over the last week and a schedule that lines up in their favor, May could be the month that truly tells us who the Phillies are and if they are a legitimate threat going forward.