How about those Philadelphia Phillies?
Scarcely a month ago I would have never entertained posing such a question.
All the All-Star Break, the Phillies were 29-62 with the worst record in MLB.
Since the All-Star Break, the Phillies have the best record in MLB at 15-5. With tonight’s 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres, the Phillies have done the seemingly impossible – they have climbed out of last place in the NL East. Now it’s the Miami Marlins who possess this ignominious distinction having lost 9 of their 10 games and 5-18 since the All-Star Break.
OK, the Phillies aren’t going to play baseball in October. But they can finish the season a whole lot better than they started it.
In the midst of their recent success there have been calls to remove the interim tag from Pete Mackanin’s job status. The Phillies are a game under .500 since he took over following Ryne Sandberg’s resignation in late June. But incoming Phillies President Andy MacPhail might have other ideas.
As I argued previously if the Phillies manage to finish with fewer than 100 losses then I think Mackanin has earned the job for next season and beyond.