Rob Thomson knows the Philadelphia Phillies have been trending in the right direction—and their current winning streak is a clear sign of both their offensive firepower and strong performances on the mound.
But beyond the team’s recent surge, Thomson is also on the verge of matching his personal best winning streak since becoming the Phillies’ manager. He first went on a 9-game run after taking over the role in 2022, and ahead of Game 2 against the Athletics, Philadelphia is riding an 8-game streak.
A win against Oakland would tie Thomson’s best stretch as an MLB manager—and another would give him a new personal record. Given the struggles of the A’s, it’s a scenario that seems entirely within reach.
Rob Thomson’s past and present streaks
Thomson’s original 9-game winning streak came back in 2022, running from June 1 to June 11. That stretch included a win over the Giants (in a series loss), a three-game sweep of the Angels, three straight over the Brewers, and two against the Diamondbacks.
The current run began on May 16 and continued through May 23, with three wins over the Pirates, a four-game sweep of the struggling Rockies, and the latest victory over the Athletics. So far, the Phillies haven’t faced a high-tier opponent during this stretch.
Two strange moments before the streak
A couple of odd moments stood out before the streak began. On May 12, Bryce Harper showed up with a buzz cut—something fans rarely see from him. Then on May 16, during a comeback win over the Pirates, a Phillies fan was seen holding up a crucifix in the outfield.