The Philadelphia Phillies are in a rare spot to complete the full turnaround from a slow start to the year.

After firing manager Rob Thomson earlier in the season, the Phillies have looked like a very different team. With veteran manager Don Mattingly leading the way, Philadelphia has played much like the team many expected them to be.

Now with just a few weeks left in the regular season, the Phillies are in prime position to make a deep playoff run. But over these last few weeks, Philadelphia has a chance to place itself into a stronger spot in the National League postseason bracket.

Right now, the Phillies own a record of 79-61 for the year, sitting in second place within the National League East division. But the team is only four games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves.

So, entering its four-game series with the Braves that starts tonight, everything could change. This means that the Phillies could close the gap on Atlanta in this matchup, putting the pressure on the Braves down the stretch.

These four games will be played at Citizens Bank Park, giving the Phillies somewhat of an edge. Philadelphia has gone 38-30 at home this season.

But the two teams also have another series coming on between Sept. 11-13, from Atlanta. Weirdly, the Phillies have been a better road team this season, with them going 41-31 on the year so far.

Seven of the next 10 games will be played against one another, and these matchups will likely determine the NL East finish. Philadelphia has won 15 of their last 18 games overall, holding the top spot in the NL wild-card race. 

The Phillies have been firing on all cylinders of late, and this team seems ready for the big challenge ahead. If they can perform well against Atlanta, the NL East could be for the taking.

The clock is ticking on the chances to overtake the Braves, and the Phillies have an outside chance to claim a top-two spot in the NL as well. But these final few weeks will reveal all, giving Philadelphia an opportunity that always looked pretty unlikely.

First pitch for Friday will be at 3:40 p.m. PT/6:40 p.m. ET. 

Saturday's game will take place at 3:05 p.m. PT/6:05 p.m. ET. 

First pitch for Sunday's game will take place at 10:10 a.m. PT/1:10 p.m. ET. 

Monday's finale is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. PT/1:05 p.m. ET.