Don Mattingly Gets Honest About Phillies Recent Stretch

The Philadelphia Phillies knew that they had to make a change after a troubling, slow start.

On April 28, when the Phillies were 10-19 and third in the National League East, the organization made the somewhat controversial decision to relieve manager Rob Thomson of his duties and name Don Mattingly as interim skipper.

Whether Thomson’s firing sparked a sense of urgency in the team, a new message and voice from Mattingly, a potentially easier schedule, or any other reason, the Phillies have completely turned around their season over the last two weeks.

Since Mattingly took over as skipper, the Phillies have a 10-3 record and are back to second place in the division.

Just like that, Philadelphia has turned its season around and is right back in the ever-competitive playoff hunt, and Mattingly recently got honest about where his team is currently at.

"You know, I feel like we're going in the right direction now,” Mattingly said.

“We started off a little sideways, kind of regulated. Pitching has kind of normalizing. Our starters and bullpen has been good. We're catching the baseball better now. The at-bats are getting better… I think it's kind of normalizing. It would have happened no matter what, but in my profession -- it's good."

May 6, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manger coach Don Mattingly (8) walks off the field after making a pitching change against the Athletics during the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images