So, what happens if the Philadelphia Phillies are only now heating up?
The Atlanta Braves would rather not ponder that question, certainly. The Phillies, who knocked NL East champion Atlanta out of the playoffs the past two years did so only after suffering through grim and discouraging Aprils.
This month has been anything but.
The Phillies are closing out the month on a heater, winners of eight of their last 10, including a stirring sweep at San Diego. At 19-10, they're barely off Atlanta's major league-best 19-7 pace.
It's a stark contrast to 2022, when the Phillies were a .500 team after a month, and last year's 25-30 start that included significant struggles from new shortstop Trea Turner. Well, Turner is producing at an MVP clip already, and no club is getting better starting pitching.
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Little wonder that the Phillies are making moves in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.
A look at this week's rankings:
1. Atlanta Braves (-)
Marcell Ozuna has driven in 31 runs in 26 games.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (+2)
We may have reached the "and they never looked back" portion of this program.
3. Baltimore Orioles (-1)
Bullpen a mess after two blown Craig Kimbrel saves – with Yankees in town next.
4. New York Yankees (-1)
AL's No. 2 team ERA (3.08) clashes against No. 1 OPS (.773) in Baltimore.
5. Cleveland Guardians (-)
Impressive showing even if they should've won two of three against Atlanta.
6. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)
Alec Bohm's 1.056 OPS makes lineup a real temple of doom.
7. Milwaukee Brewers (-1)
Gave up 30 runs in two games to Yankees.
8. Cincinnati Reds (-)
Center fielder TJ Friedl should start a rehab assignment this week.
9. Chicago Cubs (+1)
Cody Bellinger's fractured ribs opens door for Pete Crow-Armstrong.
10. Texas Rangers (+1)
Wyatt Langford simply wanted to show off his speed by making his first career homer the inside-the-park variety.
11. Seattle Mariners (+2)
George Kirby back on the beam with career-high 12 strikeout performance.
12. Toronto Blue Jays (-3)
The bargain-basement off-season might be showing up on the field.
13. Boston Red Sox (-1)
Triston Casas' rib cage tear is a significant bummer.
14. Kansas City Royals (+2)
Just a half-game up on Tigers, but run differential of +43 to +3.
15. Arizona Diamondbacks (-)
Perhaps Kevin Ginkel can hold down the closer role this time around.
16. New York Mets (+1)
Jose Quintana should be nice trade bait if they fall out of contention.
17. Detroit Tigers (+1)
Are we living in a world where Tarik Skubal (1.72 ERA) will start the All-Star Game?
18. Tampa Bay Rays (-4)
Getting swept by White Sox might be lowest point in last six years.
19. San Francisco Giants (+2)
Keaton Winn has a 1.96 ERA over his last four starts.
20. San Diego Padres (-1)
Manny Machado has returned to third base after offseason surgery.
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)
A 9-2 start has given way to 5-13 slide.
22. Houston Astros (-)
Bats need to stay alive after wake-up call in Mexico City.
23. Washington Nationals (+2)
Jacob Young is 21-for-21 in stolen bases to start his career.
24. Minnesota Twins (+2)
Reeled off seven straight wins when nobody was looking.
25. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)
Another minor league reset for Jordan Walker.
26. Los Angeles Angels (-3)
Anthony Rendon couldn't quite make it to May.
27. Oakland Athletics (+1)
4-6 road trip impressive after getting swept at Cleveland to start.
