After opening the 2026 MLB season with a dismal 9–19 record, including a 10-game losing streak, the Philadelphia Phillies are beginning to show signs of a comeback. Their rough start led to the dismissal of manager Rob Thomson, who was replaced by Don Mattingly. Since the change, the Phillies have posted a 6-1 record, bringing them to 15-20 ahead of their Tuesday game against the Athletics. While a new manager often gives a team a boost, Bryce Harper has played a major role in Philadelphia’s recent success. Harper has appeared in all 35 games so far, recording 35 hits, 19 runs, seven home runs, 20 RBIs, 19 walks, and two stolen bases. The eight-time All-Star is batting .271/.362/.519 with an .881 OPS.
Though the Phillies are pushing for a turnaround and aiming for a fifth straight playoff berth, there’s still plenty of work to be done. With Mattingly injecting new energy into the team, Harper recognizes that the path forward will be long.
“April’s behind us,” Harper told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. “We’ve got to step forward and understand that we’re stacking days and playing better and just keep it going, no matter where we’re at, what’s happening in the game or anything. Just stack the days and be where we want to be at the end.”
Mattingly has enjoyed managerial success before. Between 2011 and 2015, he led the Los Angeles Dodgers to five straight winning seasons and three postseason appearances. However, his seven-year stint with the Marlins (2016–2022) was more challenging, with his only winning season coming in 2020. Now managing his third team, the Phillies, Mattingly is already seeing positive results. But as Harper implied, consistency will be essential to guiding Philadelphia back into contention. As of Tuesday’s matchup, the team remains in fourth place in the NL East.
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