From the moment the Philadelphia Phillies reported for spring training, the club has been intent on completing their mission to win a World Series and that intent has led them to the best record in the National League, writes Gabe Lacques for USA Today.

Despite their $300 million shortstop Trea Turner missing six weeks with a strained hamstring, the Phillies went 27-13 without him and stretched their lead in the National League East. The team has lost consecutive series just twice since April.

“The team we are, the mentality we have, we hate losing games more than we like winning ‘em,” said Bryce Harper.

While Turner missed time, career backup Edmundo Sosa, who has never played more than 113 games in a season, played some of the best baseball of his career, posting an .872 OPS, four homeruns, and 13 extra-based hits in 32 starts.

While Harper, Turner, and Kyle Schwarber often command the headlines and run production, third baseman Alec Bohm has been the team’s most productive hitter this season, leading the MLB with 26 doubles and ranking second in the National League with 57 RBIs.

Meanwhile, pitcher Ranger Suárez ranks second in the MLB with a 1.77 ERA and first with a 0.88 WHIP.

Read more about how the Phillies have jumped out to their league-best record in USA Today.

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