Phillies have MLB's 2nd best starter ERA through 22 games

Have the 2024 Phillies arrived?

It's been awhile since we've seen the Phillies dominated two consecutive opponents the way they disposed of the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox. The most satisfying part is the Phillies did it as a complete team.

During their six game win streak the bats have knocked in a total of 38 runs, including four straight games where at least seven runs scored, compared to their first 18 games where they were able to do that just once.

"I thought we played great defense, we had good at-bats, ran the bases extremely well, stolen bases...and taking extra bases when they overthrew the cutoff man...and that's what you have to do," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson after Sunday's win over the White Sox.

Despite being their far and away strength early in the season, more eye popping has been starting pitching. After a gem by Spencer Turnbull, who threw a no-hitter into the 7th Friday night lowering his ERA to 1.23, Zack Wheeler—snake bitten for run support—was gifted nine runs by the bats, throwing a no-no of his own into the 8th, and received a standing ovation on his way out.

Wrapping up the glorious weekend was Aaron Nola, who surrendered just two runs over eight innings.

The Phillies' starters have a 2.25 ERA through 22 games, second best in baseball behind only the Boston Red Sox (1.73 ERA).

"We've been fortunate for our starting staff to go deep into games. Those guys (in the bullpen) need to be as fresh as possible. It's a long season", Nola told Scott Franzke on the Phillies Radio Network on 94WIP.

Trea Turner summed up the winning streak perfectly.

"Our pitching has been really good," Turner said. "We've played some really good defense. We've hit when we've needed to. Different guys are contributing each and every way, so just kind of the total effort by everyone I think is really cool, and then when you're doing that, the record kind of reflects that, so it's been a good start, but long season."

Granted, the Phillies walloped the two worst teams in MLB, but you can only play whose in front of you, and they took care of business.

Have the 2024 Phillies arrived? We're about to find out as the 14-8 Phils embark on a ten game road trip, beginning with four in Cincinnati.