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Atlanta Braves Lead Phillies by Eight Games in NL East Despite Recent Slump
The Philadelphia Phillies have reduced the Atlanta Braves' division lead after a managerial change and Atlanta's recent slump. Manager Don Mattingly said his focus remained on incremental team goals rather than the rival. Two series between the clubs remain in September.
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The Philadelphia Phillies have narrowed the Atlanta Braves' lead in the National League East after a managerial change and a recent downturn by the division leaders, Forbes reported. The Braves held a 10.5-game advantage as of May 22, 2026. The margin stood at eight games on June 13.
Since then Atlanta has gone 3-9, finishing June with a 9-13 record. The Phillies opened the season with a poor record that left them far behind in the standings. They changed managers during the season and installed Don Mattingly at the helm.
Mattingly stated on or before July 1 that he had concentrated on his own club's progress rather than tracking Atlanta directly. “I wasn’t really looking at Atlanta,” he said. 500), and then trying to get to 10, and now trying to get to 15, and wherever you end up landing is where you land, but obviously you want to win the division.
Two series between the teams remain in September.
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