It might be now or never for the Phillies’ 2026 playoff hopes.
True, it isn’t even May yet, but Philadelphia is 9-19, 10 1/2 games behind the first-place Braves in the National League East and seven games out in the NL Wild Card standings.
If they can’t gain ground in the coming weeks, it’s difficult to envision them ever getting in gear this year.
For 13 straight games, the Phillies have seen nothing but the Braves and Cubs. While those two teams have combined to go 37-21 (.638) -- albeit while padding their records at Philadelphia’s expense -- the Phillies' upcoming schedule appears to be much more forgiving.
The 15-13 Athletics are the only team with a winning record the Phillies are due to face over their next five series. The A’s are in first place in the American League West, but they aren’t exactly a juggernaut. In fact, they have a negative run differential (-8) and a 13-15 expected record.
Before hosting the Athletics from May 5-7, the Phillies will face the Giants at home for three games and the Marlins on the road for four. Following the A’s series, they have three games at home against the Rockies, followed by three on the road against the Red Sox.
Phillies’ next five opponents:
- April 28-30 vs. Giants (13-15)
- May 1-4 at Marlins (13-16)
- May 5-7 vs. Athletics (15-13)
- May 8-10 vs. Rockies (13-16)
- May 12-14 at Red Sox (12-17)
Collectively, the Phillies’ next five opponents have recorded a .462 winning percentage (66-77).
Of course, with the way the Phillies have played this season, all of those teams are probably looking at Philadelphia as a soft spot on their schedules. But the point stands. This is a golden opportunity for the Phils to get back in the race, especially given what comes after.
From May 15-June 4, the Phillies play the Pirates, Reds, Guardians, Padres, Dodgers and the Padres again over an 18-game span. Those five teams are a combined 88-56 (.611), so Philadelphia desperately needs to bank some wins before it goes through that gauntlet.