Midway through May, the Phillies are eight games above .500. Did any of us expect this kind of start?

Did anyone even think the Phillies would be a game behind Atlanta for not only the lead in the NL East, but also the top spot in the entire National League?

This team took another step forward with a 4-1 win over the Orioles yesterday afternoon in Baltimore. Nick Pivetta pitched a gem on the mound, striking out a career-high 11 batters and giving up one run on two hits in seven innings.

The offense picked up production in the sixth, started by a solo shot from Cesar Hernandez. Maikel Franco and Pedro Florimon hit RBI singles as well. Odubel Herrera’s on-base streak extended to 42 games with a first inning single.

Gabe Kapler made an interesting decision late in the game. With Edubray Ramos striking out the first two batters in the bottom of the ninth, Kapler pulled him in favor of Hector Neris, making his first appearance since Friday’s blown save. Chris Davis grounded out to end the game.

“Had we left Ramos out there to finish the inning, we thought he would have done a great job,” Kapler said. “But we liked Hector there because Hector’s split, when it’s on, is tremendous, as we saw today. One of the things we’ve maintained from spring training is we’re going to put our players in the best positions to have success.”

It didn’t make or break a game, but it was really interesting to see. Even though we shouldn’t be that surprised, because Kapler does things differently.

There’s plenty of good and bad things so far, but it’s so far a very positive start to the season. The team’s on pace to hit more than 90 wins. How is that bad?

But it’s still early in the season. And anything can change. The team starts a four-game weekend series with the Cardinals tonight at 7:15 PM on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Vince Velasquez will take the mound.

The Roundup:

With the draft lottery done, it’s time to start looking at all the mock drafts you possibly can for the team’s two first round picks. Looks like Mikal Bridges is the obvious choice at 10.

But the team will have to interview plenty of players. Bridges, along with Trae Young and Mo Bamba, are scheduled to be interviewed by the Sixers.

Should the Sixers package both first round picks to move up in the first round?

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are up for some NBA awards:

Kevin recaps Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot’s season, which was…meh.

Taking a look at recently signed running back Matt Jones and what he could bring to the table, if he stops fumbling.

Could a familiar face return to Philly?

Defenseman Sam Morin will undergo season-ending knee surgery and will not play in the Phantoms’ Eastern Conference Final matchup against the Toronto Marlies.

But Alex Lyon will definitely play. And his season with the Phantoms and Flyers has been incredible:

Lyon is learning a lot about himself in his second year of professional hockey. Regardless of how his career unfolds, this season has provided a lifetime of memories — his first NHL game was followed up with his first NHL victory at Madison Square Garden coupled with his epic five-overtime thriller with the Phantoms.

“I guess I just like to look at the season as a whole,” Lyon said. “It was a huge advantage to be able to see those guys (Flyers) and being able to play with them on a day-to-day basis. It did nothing but help my game. At the same time, I feel like I’ve been grinding and working hard all year and I just try and get better every day.”

Who are some centers that could end up wearing the orange and black at the NHL Draft?

Check out the latest edition of Crossing Broad FC.

In other sports news, Houston defeated Golden State 127-105 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals to even the series at one game apiece.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals as Vegas defeated Winnipeg 4-2 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals to take a 2-1 series lead.

Mike Budenholzer is reportedly the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Robinson Cano was suspended 80 games after testing positive for a banned substance. So were the 2009 Yankees cheaters?

Dez Bryant doesn’t want a multi-year contract. Instead, he wants a one-year “prove it” deal.

In the news, a six-year old girl found a bag of cocaine in a classmate’s bag and she put it in her mouth, thinking it was sugar.

The Senate has voted to overturn Net Neutrality repeals.

Meghan Markle’s father won’t be at the Royal Wedding. Who cares?

Is it “Yanny” or “Laurel”? Personally, this is dumb.