7 skipper switches that led to playoffs

For most clubs failing to meet expectations in the heat of the regular season, the protocol is pretty simple: keep grinding and wait it out. Still, for others who find themselves in more dire straits, there are a few classic shake-ups they can turn to. For many, that involves changes to the coaching staff, but if things have been bad enough for long enough, they might even go so far as to make a change at the very top and show their current manager the door.

But turning things around mid-year is rarely so simple, and most midseason managerial changes don't make much of an on-field difference, no matter how drastic the shift in clubhouse culture. It's only for a select few teams that a change in manager seems to make all the difference in turning a sluggish squad into a legitimate contender. Here's a look at the last seven midseason managerial changes that resulted in a postseason berth.

2022 Phillies: Rob Thomson (replaced Joe Girardi)

It was ultimately a 10-18 May record that led the Phillies to promote bench coach Thomson, hoping to turn their luck around. And while their journey to the postseason was far from an easy one, things did get better. From June 3 to Oct. 3, the Phillies posted the third-best record in the National League (65-44) -- a stretch that ended with their first postseason berth in 11 years that ended, ultimately, with a trip to the World Series.

2022 Blue Jays: John Schneider (replaced Charlie Montoyo)

In the midst of a difficult stretch in July, the Blue Jays swapped Montoyo for bench coach Schneider. The club was 46-42 at the time of Montoyo's dismissal, just holding onto the third American League Wild Card spot in a race that would only get more competitive. Under Schneider, things turned around in a hurry -- after July 12, the Blue Jays played to a .603 winning percentage (third-best in the AL over that period) and clinched a playoff spot on Sept. 29.

2009 Rockies: Jim Tracy (replaced Clint Hurdle)

The former Pirates and Dodgers skipper earned a promotion from bench coach and helped guide the team from last place to a Wild Card berth. The Rockies started the year 18-28 under Hurdle, but finished the season with a franchise-record 92 wins. Colorado lost in four games in the Division Series to the eventual NL champion Phillies, but Tracy earned NL Manager of the Year Award honors after the Rockies' remarkable resurgence.

2008 Brewers: Dale Sveum (replaced Ned Yost)

Sveum spent six seasons on the Brewers' coaching staff, including a 12-game stint as manager when Yost was dismissed near the end of the 2008 campaign. The move was a surprise for a team in postseason contention, but an eight-game slump that dropped Milwaukee into a tie for the NL Wild Card spot prompted a change. Under Sveum, the Brewers went 7-5 and reached the postseason for the first time since 1982. Milwaukee clinched its postseason berth on the final day of the regular season, eliminating the Mets, who made a midseason managerial change of their own from Willie Randolph to Jerry Manuel.

2004 Astros: Phil Garner (replaced Jimy Williams)

With their eyes on a World Series run, the Astros loaded up in 2004, signing free-agent pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte and acquiring outfielder Carlos Beltran in a June trade. But the club didn't meet expectations in the first half; sitting at a 44-44 record at the All-Star break, Houston dismissed Williams and replaced him with former Brewers and Tigers skipper Garner. Under Garner, the Astros finished out the season 48-26 and reached the playoffs. They defeated the Braves in the NL Division Series before losing to the Cardinals in seven games in the NL Championship Series. Garner also led the club to the World Series the next season.

2003 Marlins: Jack McKeon (replaced Jeff Torborg)

In perhaps the most successful instance of a new manager turning around a struggling season, the Marlins replaced Torborg with McKeon after a 16-22 start in 2003. The Marlins finished out the rest of the season by going 75-49 and advanced to their second World Series in seven seasons by defeating the Giants in the NLDS and the Cubs in the NLCS. The Marlins then took home the franchise's second title by besting the Yankees in six games, and McKeon, at age 72, became the oldest manager to win a World Series.

1996 Dodgers: Bill Russell (replaced Tommy Lasorda)

Russell had very large shoes to fill when he assumed managerial duties for the Dodgers in the wake of Hall of Famer Lasorda's retirement. In the midst of the 1996 campaign, Lasorda stepped away from the dugout due to health concerns and a desire to spend more time with his family, handing the reigns to Russell, who helped the Dodgers finish the year 49-37 for a second-place finish in the NL West and a Wild Card spot. Los Angeles' postseason run didn't last long, however, as the Dodgers were swept in three games by the Braves.