The Phillies continued their September surge last week with a four-game sweep of the rival New York Mets, riding strong pitching, opportunistic hitting, and a few breakout performances that could loom large down the stretch. Since being swept by the Mets in mid-August, Philadelphia had won 11 of their last 14 games and cut its magic number to clinch the division to five.

The sweep didn’t just add to Philadelphia’s win column it reshaped the National League landscape. By taking four straight from the Mets, the Phillies widened their division lead to 11 games and now hold a 12.5-game commanding lead in the NL. With just a handful of series left on the schedule, the gap provides both breathing room and momentum as October approaches.

With Trea Turner sidelined, Harrison Bader has picked up much of the slack at the top of the order. Slotted into the leadoff spot, Bader has provided a steady spark, reaching base consistently and setting the tone for the lineup. He scored four runs in the Mets series and is hitting .342 with a .403 on-base percentage and .542 slugging percentage since joining Philadelphia, according to CBS Sports.

“You know the addition of Bader has really helped and he’s doing a couple of things,” manager Rob Thomson said in a video released by the team. “I mean he’s hot right now, and so he’s getting on base, he’s swinging the bat, and he’s playing good defense and he’s giving other guys days off.”

The outfield, once considered a weakness, has become a strength with Bader’s emergence. His ability to grind out at-bats has given the Phillies’ stars more chances to deliver in run-scoring spots, while his defense has steadied center field. That balance has allowed the pitching staff to go to work with confidence especially at the back end of games.

That resurgence has been paired with Max Kepler’s breakthrough. After struggling to find a rhythm earlier in the season, Kepler came alive against the Mets, collecting four hits, including a home run, and driving in five runs during the sweep. His presence in the middle of the order gives Philadelphia another dangerous option behind its stars.

With Zack Wheeler sidelined, Jesús Luzardo gave the Phillies a much needed boost in the series. The left-hander was rocked for four runs in the first inning, but settled in and retired 22 consecutive batters to keep the Mets in check. He finished with 10 strikeouts over seven innings, allowing five hits and no walks. The rough start could have unraveled the outing, but Luzardo’s ability to rebound showed the kind of toughness the Phillies need from their rotation without their ace. His dominance after the first frame steadied the game and eased pressure on the bullpen.

Closer Jhoan Duran punctuated the sweep with his third save of the week, striking out the side in the ninth to silence the Mets. Long known for his triple-digit fastball, Duran has added a curveball that gives him another weapon and a new level of unpredictability. Mets hitters flailed at the breaking ball, which he mixed in to keep them off balance. For a Phillies bullpen that has battled inconsistency, Duran’s ability to pair raw power with a sharp curve is a potential difference-maker.

The sweep left the Phillies firmly in control of the NL East, their 11-game cushion the largest of the season. With contributions from Bader and Kepler in the outfield, Luzardo’s ability to rebound on the mound, and Duran’s new weapon at the back end, Philadelphia showed depth in areas once viewed as question marks. With October approaching, the Phillies are not only closing in on a division title they are beginning to look like a team built to make a long run in the playoffs.