Phillies have chance to snap run-differential streak that's lasted since Game 3 of 2026 season

May 12, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) is congratulated after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the more fascinating teams in Major League Baseball this season, as they started off 9-19, one of the worst teams in baseball, but have since been one of the best teams in the sport.

Now, following back-to-back miraculous wins over the rival Washington Nationals, the Phillies are sitting on the cusp of something they haven't had since Game 1 of the 2026 MLB season: a positive run differential.

The Phillies' standings have them at 44-36, 4.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and sporting just a -1 run differential. For a team that's been as good as the Phillies, they can finally get back into the positive run differential this season.

Phillies can finally have a positive run differential with one win

At just a -1 run differential, the Phillies are one win away from getting out of the negatives in run differential, which would be the first time that's been the case since the third game of the 2026 season.

They won 5-3 over the Texas Rangers on Opening Day, then lost 4-5 in Game 2, though they still had a 1-run differential. But, after a 3-8 loss, they fell into the negatives, and with a 2-13 loss the next day, the Phillies fell even further behind.

A four-game winning streak, including a 10-1 win, wasn't enough to make up the difference, and adding in the -43 run differential during the 10-game losing streak, the Phillies were well-behind in getting back to a positive run differential.

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But, they've been hot for a while, and finally are just one run from getting out of the red this season. With a Thursday night matchup against the Washington Nationals, with Cristopher Sanchez on the mound, the Phillies have a chance to get back into the positives for the first time since the second game of the season.

While their record is more important than their run differential, getting back into the green would be a huge boost for this team to fully move past the disastrous start they had to the year.

The Phillies have climbed their way back into a postseason spot, back into the NL East race, and now they're on the cusp of getting back into the positive run differential.

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