Coming into the 2024 season, the NL East was expected to be a two-team race.

The Atlanta Braves were expected to have an edge with the Philadelphia Phillies fighting for a title but well in the hunt for a Wild Card. Over the first six weeks of the season, it is clear that the Phillies will not make it easy for Atlanta.

Entering this week of action, the Phillies sit at 28-13. They will begin a four-game stretch against the New York Mets with a two-game lead at the top of the NL East. They are doing it on the strength of their pitching staff and offensive explosion. This has helped the Phils win 20 of their last 25 games.

It begins offensively with Bryce Harper, who is tied with Kyle Schwarber, for the team lead with nine home runs. Treat Turner leads the team batting .343 in 33 games. Alec Bohm has also been a major reason for the improvement as he has taken the next step in a big way. Bohm is hitting .388 with a .400 on-base percentage and leads the team with 32 RBI.

Ranger Suarez has pitched himself into early-season Cy Young contention. In eight starts, Suarez is 7-0 with a 1.50 ERA. He has become another ace on a staff that already includes Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. If the pitching holds up, Philadelphia has a chance for a special regular season.

The Phillies have reached two consecutive National League Championship Series. In 2022, the Phils advanced to the World Series before losing to the Houston Astros. Last season, Philadelphia lost Games 6 and 7 at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The goal remains the same — win the World Series.

Before that can happen, the Phils will have to make it to the postseason. While that seems lime a foregone conclusion, the team is hoping that it happens as a division champ this year.