MLB power rankings: Phillies are so back after firing manager for horrid start

With a new manager in tow, an ace back and at the top of his game and Kyle Schwarber on a very typical heater, the Philadelphia Phillies are all the way back.

And finally over .500, and up four more spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings.

After a 9-19 start that resulted in the firing of manager Rob Thomson, the Phillies finally got into the black with a three-game sweep of the Pirates in Pittsburgh, capped by ace Zack Wheeler's seven shutout innings, outdueling Paul Skenes. The Phillies are 24-23, and while they are still eight games behind Atlanta in the NL East, they can carry on knowing the worst is behind them.

You almost have to feel for Thomson. Wheeler returned from off-season thoracic outlet recovery on April 25; a day later, Thomson was fired. Unsurprisingly, swapping in Wheeler for Taijuan Walker has worked out well for interim manager Don Mattingly: Wheeler has a 1.99 ERA in his first five starts.

A look at our updated rankings:

1. Atlanta Braves (-)

• They've won 13 of 15 series and split another. They are a problem.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers (-)

• Oh hey, Kyle Tucker's seven for his last 14, his OPS casually up to .766.

3. Tampa Bay Rays (+1)

• Think they missed the Trop? Rays are 16-5 in their climate-controlled haven.

4. New York Yankees (-2)

• Anthony Volpe has drawn seven walks in his first four games.

5. Chicago Cubs (-2)

• What have they done to Michael Conforto? A stunning renaissance, batting .345 with 1.111 OPS.

6. Milwaukee Brewers (+1)

• Tormenting the Cubs will never get old. Big chance for that this week.

7. San Diego Padres (-1)

• After four uneven ramp-up starts, Lucas Giolito posts strong Padres debut against Seattle.

8. Cleveland Guardians (+2)

• Chase DeLauter entering top rookie conversation with .861 OPS.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates (-1)

• A 10-18 May sunk them a year ago; trying to avoid that right now.

10. Cincinnati Reds (-1)

• Losing the battle for Ohio River and state supremacy: A combined 2-7 against Pirates, Guardians.

11. St. Louis Cardinals (+2)

• Ownership always likes to pretend they're losing their shirt. A cavalcade of bare-chested bros seems like the perfect branding opportunity.

12. Philadelphia Phillies (+4)

• Bryce Harper with six homers in past 13 games.

13. Athletics (-1)

• Giants still the kings of Yolo County, with four wins in two years at Sutter Health Park.

14. Toronto Blue Jays (-3)

• Vladdy Jr. snaps an 0-for-22 with just his third homer; this feels like a long-term project.

15. Arizona Diamondbacks (-1)

• Zac Gallen has yielded at least four earned runs in four of nine starts.

16. Texas Rangers (+1)

• Nathan Eovaldi has allowed just one run over his past 22 innings.

17. Detroit Tigers (-2)

• Casey Mize's sparkling performance in return from groin injury provides hope amid bleakness.

18. Chicago White Sox (+5)

• Kings of Chicago until further notice.

19. Seattle Mariners (-1)

• Cal Raleigh's trip to the IL probably more of a relief than anything.

20. Miami Marlins (-1)

• Sandy Alcantara with seven quality starts as Marlins drop five games below .500, a trade formula brewing.

21. Washington Nationals (+1)

• Another week, another two series in the W column.

22. New York Mets (+2)

• Stealing series from Yankees a brief whiff of deodorant after brutal loss of Clay Holmes.

23. Baltimore Orioles (-3)

• The cavalry is coming? Tommy Pham, Jackson Holliday may soon be added to mix.

24. Minnesota Twins (+1)

• Connor Prielipp the first Twin to give up two or fewer runs in first five career starts.

25. San Francisco Giants (+3)

• Luis Arráez socks his first two home runs - "Finally!" - and has .328 average, .807 OPS.

26. Kansas City Royals (-5)

• In grim reversal of fortune, have lost five of seven against White Sox.

27. Boston Red Sox (-)

• Have lost five of six series in the post-Alex Cora era.

28. Houston Astros (-2)

• In latest indignity, home-run lights come on as Yordan Alvarez gets robbed of dinger.

29. Los Angeles Angels (-)

• Shohei Ohtani now 18-for-51 (.353) with 10 extra-base hits against original squad from Anaheim.

30. Colorado Rockies (-)

• Chase Dollander's right elbow sprain a significant bummer.