After setting a team record for wins in April, it’s worth a look at the Philadelphia Phillies’ best 32-game starts in their history. The 2024 Phillies sit at 21-11 through 32 games. 19 of those 21 wins came in April, setting a new team record for wins in that month. This is tied for the fourth-best record through 32 games in team history. The 1917 Phillies also had 21 wins in their first 32 games. This is the ninth time the Phillies have had at least 21 wins through 32 games. It is also the third time in the Wild Card era (dating back to 1995) that the Phillies have started 21-11 or better in their first 32 games. Three of those seasons saw the Phillies go on to make the postseason, including one resulting in a World Series appearance in 1993.
32 games into the season and the Phillies are 10 games over .500. The last time we witnessed this was 2011… 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/tUvzjIATOv
— Phillies Baseball Talk (@FightinsTalk) May 1, 2024
Comparing the Best 32 Game Starts in Phillies History
1976
The 1976 Phillies had a 23-9 record through 32 games. That 23-9 start included two six-game winning streaks which were their longest of that year. One notable game in that span came on April 17 against the Chicago Cubs, an 18-16 win at Wrigley Field. That game saw Mike Schmidt record five hits and drive in eight runs. During the 1979 season, where the Phillies started 22-10, the two teams played a more famous high-scoring game in Chicago. After their strong start to the bicentennial year, the Phils had an even stronger record of 22-5 in May of 1976. The 1976 Phillies went on to finish the regular season with a 101-61 record, winning the NL East. However, they were swept by the eventual World Series champion Cincinnati Reds in the NLCS in three games.
1993
The 1993 Phillies started with a 24-8 record, their best 32-game start in franchise history. That included a 17-5 April record. Three of those first 24 wins were walk-off wins, which would become a theme that season. In total, the 1993 Phillies would have eight walk-off wins. Just like the 1976 team, the 1993 Phillies won the NL East, finishing 97-65 this time. But this team would fare better in October, as they advanced to the World Series after defeating the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS in six games. The Phillies would go on to lose to the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1993 World Series in six games. This came after the Phillies finished last in the NL East the previous season. As a result, it was surprising to see the 1993 Phillies start so well and keep it up all season.
2011
The 2011 Phillies had a 22-10 record through 32 games. This was largely thanks to the team having one of the most dominant rotations in baseball history, just like the 2024 team has had so far this season. Both Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee reached the 15-win mark. Those two, along with Cole Hamels, pitched to ERAs below 3.00 that season. The 2011 Phillies did not have a winning percentage below .500 at any point that season. Additionally, they spent 180 days in first place in the NL East. The team would win the division with a 102-60 record.
Just like the 1976 and 1993 teams, though, the 2011 Phillies failed to win the World Series. They lost to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS in five games, marking the end of an era that included five straight NL East titles and a World Series championship in 2008.
2024
This year’s Phils have a 21-11 record through 32 games and are in second place in the NL East. Currently, the Phillies starting rotation has an NL-best 2.50 ERA and a major league-leading 0.99 WHIP. In addition, Phillies starters have a major league-leading 197 strikeouts. Opposing batters have a .150 batting average against Phillies starters. At the plate, Alec Bohm is inserting his name into early-season MVP conversations. In 32 games this season, Bohm has a .362/.432/.586 line with four home runs and 30 RBI. Bohm currently has the second-best batting average in the majors among qualified players, trailing only Mookie Betts. Trea Turner has 45 hits, which also ranks second in the majors behind Betts. The 2024 Phillies are currently on pace to finish 106-56.
Photo Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
