Philadelphia Phillies’ Red-Hot Surge: How Bryce Harper & Co. Are Dominating the 2025 MLB Power Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies extend win streak to nine with extra-inning thriller over Athletics The red-hot Philadelphia Phillies are officially the talk of Major League Baseball after Saturday night’s 9-6, 11-inning victory in Sacramento pushed their win streak to nine games, their longest since 2022. Powered by clutch swings from Kyle Schwarber and Max Kepler, a cannon throw from Brandon Marsh, and the first career save by rookie Max Lazar, manager Rob Thomson’s club keeps finding new ways to win. How Philadelphia pulled off its latest comeback • Down 5-4 in the 7th: Marsh’s pinch-hit RBI single tied the score. • Bottom 9: Kepler ambushed a 101 mph Mason Miller fastball for a game-tying homer. • Bottom 10: Marsh gunned down Logan Davidson at home to erase a bases-loaded, no-outs nightmare. • Top 11: Schwarber ripped a two-run double—his MLB-leading 18th extra-base hit in May—to seal the deal. Schwarber (18 HR) is currently neck-and-neck with Aaron Judge for the big-league home-run lead, while Bryce Harper, Trea Turner and J.T. Realmuto each own an OPS north of .850 since May 1. Philadelphia’s lineup depth has been essential in weathering the 80-game PED suspension of high-leverage lefty José Alvarado, announced earlier this week. Rotation dominance fueling the surge Zack Wheeler (6-1, 1.98 ERA), Ranger Suárez (5-2, 2.25) and Taijuan Walker (4-1, 3.08) are averaging a combined 6.4 IP per start this month, allowing Thomson to lean on a bullpen that leads the NL in strikeout rate even without Alvarado. Prospect Orion Kerkering has emerged as the new setup weapon, striking out 36% of batters faced. NL East standings snapshot 1. Phillies: 34-17 2. Braves: 30-20 (3.5 GB) 3. Mets: 26-24 (7.5 GB) With Atlanta scuffling and New York treading water, Philadelphia has a chance to create real separation during a six-game homestand that begins Wednesday night against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Trade-deadline outlook Front-office rumblings suggest president Dave Dombrowski is already canvassing the relief-pitching market and scouting right-handed bench bats. Names linked to the Phils include White Sox closer Michael Kopech and A’s veteran slugger Brent Rooker. Expect activity well before the July 31 deadline if the club maintains its current pace. Key series to circle • May 29-31 vs Braves — Retro Phillies Cap Night on the 29th is already nearing a sell-out. • June 7-9 @ Dodgers — potential World Series preview. • July 1-3 vs Yankees — Bryce Harper’s first home series against New York since 2022. What’s next Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez (3-1, 3.45 ERA) gets the ball Sunday afternoon in the series finale against Oakland, opposed by righty Luis Medina (0-4, 5.90). First pitch: 4:07 p.m. ET. Bottom line Relentless offense, front-line pitching and clubhouse confidence have turned the 2025 Phillies into an early World Series favorite. If Dombrowski succeeds in shoring up the bullpen, Philadelphia’s quest for its first championship since 2008 will look more realistic than ever.