How good are the Philadelphia Phillies? Their historic start to 2024 might surprise you
The Philadelphia Phillies are doing something very un-Phillie-like — they're winning games early in the season.
And, they aren't just winning games, they've won a lot of games.
After Wednesday's 11-4 pummeling of defending World Series champion Texas Rangers, the Phils had Major League Baseball's best record at 36-14.
How well have the Philadelphia Phillies started?
While the Phillies are dominating the National League East, just how good are they? Historically good.
Only 25 National League teams have won at least 36 of their first 50 games, the last being the Atlanta Braves 25 years ago.
Only 42 MLB teams have won 36 or more games in their first 50 games, the last being the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs for most wins in a season with 116 wins. Sadly, the Cubs lost in the World Series to the Chicago White Sox and the Mariners were eliminated in the American League Championship Series.
Entering Tuesday night's game, the Phillies were 21 games over .500 — a mark they hadn't reached since 2011 when they finished the season 102-60.
The Phillies reached 20 wins at home on Tuesday night. It was the fastest to 20 wins in the history of Citizens Bank Park and the fastest to 20 wins at home since 1993 when the Phillies reached the World Series.
Philadelphia lost its first two series of the season. Since then, the Phillies have gone 11-0-4, sweeping five series with the possibility of sweeping a sixth Thursday when they face the Rangers. The 15-series streak without a loss is the longest single-season stretch in franchise history.
Entering Wednesday's game, the Phillies' starting pitching rotation's earned run average was 2.59. That ranks as the fourth lowest in team history through 49 games, trailing the Phillies from 1917, 1915 and 1913.
Philadelphia Phillies win everywhere
The mark of a great team is the ability to not only win at home but also on the road. The Phillies are doing both at an amazing clip.
The Phillies winning percentage at home this season is .724 (21-8). The team's winning percentage on the road is .714 (15-6).
While not sustainable, the numbers paint the picture of a dominating team.
Have the Phillies played winning teams?
The Phillies haven't played the toughest schedule, but the mark of a good team is beating bad teams. However, they have struggled against teams with winning records.
The Phillies have gone 6-8 against teams with a winning record and haven't won a series against them — losing to Atlanta and the Cincinnati Reds while splitting with Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
Philadelphia has won three series against teams with .500 records when entering a series — St. Louis, San Diego and Texas.
Philadelphia has played 10 teams that entered the series with a losing record, winning eight and splitting two.
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Does the Philadelphia Phillies' fast start mean they will win a title?
No, but it's a good omen. According to baseballreference.com, the Phillies have a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs and a 14% chance of winning the World Series.
So right now the Phillies postseason prospects are looking pretty good.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Did the Phillies win? Philly off to historic start to 2024 season
