MLB Standings Show Just How Quickly Phillies Have Come Back From the Dead

Since starting the season 9-19, a disastrous opening act that caused the organization to switch managers, the Phillies have completely turned things around. Don Mattingly's team completed a Rivalry Weekend sweep of the Pirates on Sunday for their fourth straight win. Philadelphia is now 15-4 since employing the nuclear option, which has been enough to elevate them past .500 and into second place in the National League East. What was once a massive hole does not seem as daunting as the Braves' division lead has been shaved down to eight games and a wild card spot is only 3 1/2 games out of reach. It's a remarkable turn around on a dime and new life has been breathed into the franchise even quicker than the biggest optimist would have hoped.

The immediate turnaround mirrors what happened four years ago as a mid-season managerial change ushered in a 14-2 run and an eventual trip to the World Series. This upcoming stretch of play, beginning with the Reds coming into town on Monday, will reveal just how hot the Phillies are—and if they are for real.

Boston also pulled the rip cord on its skipper after a 10-17 start, yet the Red Sox haven't been able to capture the same lightning in a bottle, going 9-10 since the move and getting no closer to what they need to do.

In the American League East, the Yankees continue to give up ground to the Rays. New York has lost seven of its past 10 contests to fall a full three games behind blistering Tampa. The surprising White Sox are nipping at the Guardians' heels in the AL Central (1 1/2 games back), the AL West is a logjam of mediocrity (with the .500 Athletics atop the leaderboard) and the NL West is a two-horse race between Los Angeles and San Diego. A Cubs cool-off has allowed the Brewers and Cardinals to get within a 1 1/2.

The Brewers and Cubs face off beginning Monday night in a pivotal series at Wrigley and the Tigers have a much-needed chance to breathe some life into their miserable May by taking on the Guardians. For a late-night treat, the Dodgers and Padres will square off for the division lead.