Phillies surge as NL East race heats up

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All of a sudden, the Philadelphia Phillies can’t lose. And a prize that didn’t seem realistic — the National League East lead – is very much in play.

They have not lost since stumbling out of that cornfield in Iowa, nine consecutive wins that have them soaring up USA TODAY Sports’ power rankings, moving up to No. 7 this week.

Their latest caper came when they staged a six-run rally — four runs scoring with two outs — to stun the St. Louis Cardinals on Kyle Schwarber’s monstrous walk-off home run Sunday, Aug. 23. The win kept them within three games of Atlanta in the East, this in a season where they once were 10 1/2 games off the pace.

A look at our updated rankings:

Trevor Megill on a 16-for-16 roll in save opportunities.

Blake Snell looking acelike again, with two six-inning, one-run starts with 15 strikeouts.

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)

Catcher Kenny Piper homers in first major league start.

4. Atlanta Braves (-1)

One bad week and suddenly a first-round bye looks challenging.

PCA now up to 33 homers, already a career high.

6. New York Yankees (-)

Good news: Just three games behind Rays. Bad news: Red Sox just three games behind them.

7. Philadelphia Phillies (+1)

Andrew Painter’s seven-inning gem another big step forward for rookie.

Remember when Fernando Tatis Jr. couldn’t hit a home run? His 12 since All-Star break tied with PCA for most in majors.

Finally over .500 at Fenway Park.

10. Chicago White Sox (-3)

Have they found something in Jose Urquidy?

Can Ketel Marte ruin a season? We might find out.

8-1 record vs. Nationals keeping them in playoff contention.

13. St. Louis Cardinals (-)

Andre Pallante to the IL. Hunter Dobbins to the IL. They’re chugging toward September.

14. Houston Astros (-)

Getting punked by the A’s at home isn’t exactly a good sign.

Starting pitchers haven’t given up more than three runs in 13 straight games.

16. Cleveland Guardians (+1)

Remaining opponents have .463 winning percentage. Can they take advantage?

17. Toronto Blue Jays (+3)

Finally lose a series, but Vladdy Jr. is back and six with Royals, Mariners ends brutal stretch.

Well, they don’t have to play the Padres ever again.

19. Baltimore Orioles (-3)

Pete Alonso might crack 40-homer mark for first time since 2023.

13-22 since All-Star break after Dodgers sweep them.

JJ Bleday eighth in Reds history to hit for cycle.

Tarik Skubal lined up to face old team next weekend.

Lost two games by a combined 41-2, both ending with position players pitching.

Have lost 15 of 21 this month, spiral accelerating after deadline moves, CJ Abrams injury.

Kodai Senga, now the “closer,” 0-9 with 7.79 ERA.

Bobby Witt Jr. quietly chugging along with 6.2 WAR.

Eleven walk-off losses. That’s almost hard to do.

Thirty-eight losses at Coors Field most at home for a team playing in a major league park.

Yusei Kikuchi returns to mound after three-month absence.

They return to Yolo County after losing five of seven on road trip.

Renan Cardoso 2 hours ago