5 reasons the Phillies are winning now

One question lots of people are asking about the Phillies is whether or not they’re remarkable start is sustainable.

Who cares? Let’s just enjoy the ride and all its possibilities as the Braves come to Citizens Bank Park for a weekend series.

At 24-17, the Phillies are seven games above .500 for the first time since 2011, their most recent playoff season.

They’re in second place in the National League East, a game behind the first-place Nationals (25-16) and 1 1/2 games in front of the third-place Mets (22-18).

“Our confidence is through the roof,” catcher Cameron Rupp said the other night.

The Phils are not easy to understand. They are winning despite a -28 run differential — the seventh worst in the Majors — and an offense that has scored the second-fewest runs in the Majors.

Here’s how the Phillies have come to their record.

1. They are 14-3 in one-run games. The Giants, at 9-5, have the second-best record in that situation.

2. In the NL, Philadelphia’s rotation ERA (3.72) ranks fifth and its bullpen ERA (3.91) is the seventh best.

3. Closer Jeanmar Gomez is 16 for 17 in save chances. Right-hander Hector Neris has 11 holds. Furthermore, Neris and David Hernandez lead NL relievers in strikeouts, with 33 and 30.

“Give us a lead, we feel like we’re not going to give up a run,” Hernandez said.

4. The Phillies are 13-8 against the NL …

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