Phillies' Don Mattingly predicted to join 2 managers in MLB history with realistic MLB award

Don Mattingly winning NL manager of the year isn't impossible

The Phillies, coming into the season, were viewed as a top World Series contender coming out of the NL. While things didn't start off right, they are now working their way back from the 9-19 start.

If Mattingly's team can continue to stay hot and play elite baseball for the remainder of the season, they not only could make the postseason, but they could even take the top seed.

Of course, it's more likely that the Phillies wind up as a Wild Card team if they do make the postseason, with the Braves already 8.5 games up on the Phillies.

MORE: Don Mattingly and Preston Mattingly make father-son MLB history for Phillies

However, with the Braves' Walt Weiss the frontrunner for the award so far this season, if the Phillies managed to overtake the Braves in the NL East standings, then Mattingly might have a legitimate case for this award.

It's May 7th, and the Phillies are 8.5 games back of the Braves. With over 100 games left to make up this difference, Mattingly and the Phillies have time to make up the difference with the Braves.

Mattingly winning this award isn't likely by any means, but if he leads the Phillies to a better record than the Braves by season's end, he might have a case for the NL Manager of the Year award for such a miraculous turnaround.

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