Big homestand propels Phillies back to top of power rankings

It’s been a rough month for the Philadelphia Phillies and their fans. The team started off the 2024 season so great, and they were on pace to set a franchise record for the most wins in a season. The 2011 team had the best season in Phillies’ history with a record of 102-60.

The collapse from July 12 to Aug. 13 had the baseball world confused about what happened to the Phillies. Rob Thomson’s team lost 18 of 26 games during that span. The Phillies were no longer the top team in baseball and saw their lead in the NL East start to dwindle. The city can finally breathe after the team’s latest homestand in which they went 4-2.

Big homestand propels Phillies back to top of power rankings

The top of the standings in Major League Baseball is tight. The Phillies once again have the best record in baseball as of Aug. 19 before the slate of games begins. Their recent play has propelled them back to the top of MLB.com's power rankings. The Phillies were previously No. 2 on the list behind the Baltimore Orioles.

The Phillies lost the opening game of the six-game homestand to the Miami Marlins in Taijuan Walker’s return from the IL after losing three straight to the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road, including two blowouts. It looked like the rough stretch would continue, and fans were beginning to get restless.

The Phillies were able to split the two-game series with the Marlins in a 9-5 comeback win thanks to an offensive explosion, including a grand slam from Kyle Schwarber. It was a much-needed win heading into a four-game series against the Washington Nationals.

The Phillies took the opening game of the series behind a 17-hit, 13-run day and a dominant performance on the mound by Zack Wheeler. The Phillies won the next two games as part of a four-game win streak. They did drop the series finale to the Nationals in a close game, but the homestand was a success. The Phillies are starting to look like the team from the first half of the season again.

It’s going to be a close finish for the top record in the majors. It’s also going to be a close finish for the best record in the National League. The Phillies sit atop the standings for now with 38 games left to play before the postseason. Three teams sit just 0.5 games behind the Phillies for the best record in baseball, and two teams sit one game back. Two of those five teams are in the NL.

The Phillies begin an important three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday. They’ll play their division rivals seven more times before the end of the regular season. The Phillies hold a seven-game lead over the Braves in the NL East.

The objective is to win each series from here on out. If the Phillies can do that, they’ll win the NL East and have a good chance at a first-round bye in the playoffs. They’ll look to continue their recent success and get back to playing winning baseball.