The Philadelphia Phillies are no strangers to the transformative power of a managerial shake-up. Just 28 games into the season, they made a bold move, parting ways with Rob Thomson while sitting at a disappointing 9-19. Enter Don Mattingly as the interim manager, and the Phillies have since soared, becoming one of baseball’s top-performing teams.
Now boasting a 45-36 record, the Phillies are hot on the heels of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, trailing by just four games. Their recent success serves as a reminder of the potential impact a managerial change can have, a lesson they’ll need to keep in mind as they face off against the New York Mets.
The Mets, struggling through a six-game losing streak and a 34-47 record, have also opted for a change at the helm. Carlos Mendoza has been relieved of his duties, with Andy Green stepping in as the interim manager. Despite Mendoza's positive influence over the past three seasons, as noted by Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, the team finds itself at the bottom of the NL East, a full 11 games behind the Phillies.
Green's immediate task is to halt the Mets' downward spiral. His first move? Slotting Bo Bichette, their marquee offseason acquisition, into the designated hitter role-a strategic decision aimed at bolstering their defense.
The Phillies, having experienced the revitalizing effects of a managerial change firsthand, should be wary. Under Mattingly, they clinched victory in their first six series, a testament to the immediate boost a new leader can provide. This isn't the first time they've seen such a turnaround; back in 2022, Thomson himself rejuvenated the team after taking over from Joe Girardi, leading them all the way to the World Series.
While a World Series berth might be a long shot for the Mets this year, the Phillies cannot afford to underestimate the potential spark a new manager can ignite. Facing a team eager to prove themselves under new leadership, the Phillies will need to bring their A-game to avoid any slip-ups against New York.
In Other News...
Mets Suddenly Have A Tough Kodai Senga Decision To Make
Kodai Sengas first career relief appearance gave the Mets something they have not had to weigh before, and it came in the middle of a bullpen game against the Phillies. Asked to help cover five innings, Senga did enough to keep the club in the game while showing the kind of stuff that still makes him one of the most intriguing arms on the staff, even in an unfamiliar role.
Afterward, interim manager Andy Green was encouraged by what he saw, pointing to the forkball as a weapon that played well and noting the fastball had life. Senga, for his part, made clear he still sees a path back to the rotation if he can throw strikes more consistently, which leaves the Mets with a real decision on their hands as they sort out how best to use him next. [Read more 🡒]
A Familiar Name Is Already Hovering Over The Mets Search
Even with the Mets managerial search still a ways off, a familiar name is already circling the conversation. David Ross, who managed the Cubs from 2020 to 2023 and now works for ESPN, said he would welcome the chance to be considered for the job, putting himself on the radar before the club even officially opens its next search.
Ross has the kind of background that keeps him in the mix whenever a big-market opening appears, and he spoke from the perspective of someone who has already lived through the demands of the role. With Carlos Mendoza gone and Andy Green handling the dugout on an interim basis, the Mets are not in a hurry to make the next move, but the list of potential candidates is already beginning to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Eric Chavez Just Put David Stearns On Blast Over One Mets Flaw
Eric Chavezs post-Mets reflections have turned into a pointed critique of the way the club was run from the top down, with the former hitting coach using his podcast to revisit the split after the 2025 season. His comments centered on a familiar baseball fault line, the gap between what leadership wants at the plate and what the people in the dugout believe actually works, and he made clear he felt there was a disconnect that went beyond one bad run of offense.
For the Mets, the timing of Chavezs remarks matters because they land at a moment when David Stearns is still shaping the organizations identity and trying to prove the messaging matches the results. Chavezs version of events suggests the relationship never fully found common ground, and his frustration adds another layer to a season already defined by questions about communication, trust and whether the clubs hitting approach was ever fully aligned from manager to front office. [Read more 🡒]