Best MLB Second-Half Comebacks

There have been a number of teams throughout MLB history that struggled through the first half of the season only to enjoy a major turnaround and make the postseason. Not that long ago, one NL East team rode a massive second-half all the way to the 2022 World Series.

Miracle Mets

Could it happen again? The 2026 New York Mets started this season with a respectable 7-4 opening. Then, they went on a 12-game bender and haven’t really turned the corner. As of June 11, the Mets were 30-38 and dead last in the NL East.

In 1969, the Mets were 10 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL East as late as August 13. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. New York absolutely turned the baseball world upside down by going 38-11 to finish the season. The Mets won the division and would eventually sweep the Orioles to win the World Series.

Brave to the Finish

The 1993 Atlanta Braves were 14 games out of first place in the NL West (yes, the Braves were in the West that season) on July 22. The Braves went out and traded for the Crime Dog himself – Fred McGriff. The results were legendary.

Over the final 70 games of the season, Atlanta went a ridiculous 51-19 to overtake the San Francisco Giants by one game on the final day of the regular season. The Braves would lose to the Phillies in six games in the NLCS. Toronto won the World Series.

‘95 Seattle Mariners

The 1994 MLB season was affected by a strike. On August 12, the strike began wiping out the remainder of the season, including the postseason and the World Series. The following year in ‘95, the league only played 144 games. Seattle and the California Angels would play 145 due to a one-game playoff.

That playoff was necessary after a late 20-11 run by the Mariners earned a tie for the AL West crown. Seattle had faced a 13-game deficit in the division on August 20. The Mariners came back to tie the Angels, beat them in the one-game playoff, and qualify for the MLB playoffs.

Seattle would beat the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series 4-1. The Mariners then lost to Cleveland 4-2 in the ALCS.

Twin Cities Comeback

In early July of 2006, the Detroit Tigers were 11 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central Division race. Led by AL MVP Justin Morneau and AL Cy Young winner Johan Santana, the Twins went 49-27 in the second half and won the division title on the final day of the regular season.

The Twins were the No. 2 seed in the AL playoffs and were beaten in the ALDS by the No. 3 seed, the Oakland A’s. St. Louis went on to beat Detroit 4-1 in the 2006 World Series.

2022 Philadelphia Phillies

It was one of the more magical runs in MLB history. It would have been one for the ages if the final outcome had been different. In 2022, the Phillies began the season 21-29. With their lineup and pitching staff, the record was underwhelming and the decision was made to fire manager Joe Girardi on June 3.

Rob Thomson was named the interim manager and under his guidance the Phillies finished the season 65-46. Philadelphia earned its first playoff berth since 2011. The Phillies faced St. Louis in the NL Wild Card Series and won 2-0. Then, they upset Atlanta in the NLDS before beating San Diego to advance to the World Series.

That’s where the fairy tale ending didn’t quite make it. The Houston Astros would win the 2022 World Series 4-2 to end one of the great second-half comebacks in MLB history.

Are the 2026 Phillies Next?

The Phillies began this season 9-19 before they pulled the trigger and fired Thomson. On April 28, interim manager Don Mattingly, one of MLB’s all-time great hitters, led the Phillies to a 7-0 victory over San Francisco.

Since Mattingly took over, the Phillies are 28-12. The recent surge has moved them into second place in the NL East. The Phillies were 37-31 as of Friday, June 12. If the NL playoffs started, the Phillies would own the No. 2 wild card spot.

The Braves (45-23) are the favorite to win the NL East at -650. The Phillies are second on the board at +450 at BetUS.com. The Dodgers (+115) and Braves (+400) are the top two favorites to win the NL pennant. The Phillies are given +900 odds to win the National League.

In the World Series futures market, the Dodgers (+205) and Yankees (+525) are the leading favorites. Seattle, Atlanta, and Milwaukee round out the top five. The Phillies are No. 6, given +1600 odds to win it all.