It’s time for the June swoons.

This is one period of the season when teams tend to fluctuate with their wins and losses.

Yes, baseball is a long season, and it is too early to call any divisional races. In fact, there hasn’t been any true indications of a team running away with its division, and likely on the road toward a World Series title.

In the next few weeks, however, we will get an indication on how the Phillies, Mets, and Yankees seasons could play themselves out with a few series ahead.

In this week’s version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll take a look at the recent triumphs and tribulations of the Phillies, Mets, and Yankees and what possibly lies ahead for all three clubs.

Also, I’ll turn back the pages to recount a former Panther Valley and Kutztown product who is still pitching in the Blue Mountain League.

Pilling It Up or Emptying the Tank: Over the past month, the Phillies’ season certainly was a seesaw of emotions.

They had won 11 of 12 games, then dropped nine of 10, and had won six of seven games heading into the Marlins’ series. The Phils rebounded after a three-game sweep in Pittsburgh, and they previously lost series against the Brewers and Mets.

The team took three of four from the Marlins and two of three from the Mets.

After 73 games last season, the Phils were 49-24 and had an eight-game lead over the Braves.

Center of Attention: Aside from Max Kepler, one glaring issue in outfield for the Phillies remains center field.

Since April, Brandon Marsh has raised his average over 30 points. Johan Rojas, who the Phils have been hoping could finally secure the job the past two seasons, has continued to flash the leather. But Rojas can’t get into a consistent groove offensively, witnessed by his .228 average, one homer, 14 RBIs, and eight stolen bases.

Combined, Marsh and Kepler have an OPS of just over .600 as of last week.

At Lehigh Valley, No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford has adjusted well to Triple-A pitching with his .344 average with one homer, 26 RBIs, as 23 stolen bases as well as his .411 OBP and .850 OPS. His strikeout to walk ratio could be better with 57 strikeouts and 26 walks in his first 221 at-bats.

Still, Crawford – who is the son of former Rays, Red Sox, and Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford – could be on a fast ride down the Pennsylvania Turnpike if the team can’t find a better solution. He is slated for a 2026 debut, but the Phils may be forced to make the move to turn on some extra juice.

As for Kepler, he has been a major disappointment, floundering with his .221, nine homer, 26 RBI, .310 OBP. His highest average was .286 in the early going, but he recently dipped to .208 as of last week.

Where have you gone Garry Maddox and Greg Luzinski (or Gary Matthews)?

The Lab Has a Virus: Over the past two seasons, Mets’ pitching coach Jeremy Hefner’s dealings with starters – and some relievers – has gained the label of a pitching “lab” for his work to turn average, mediocre, or oft-injured pitchers into bona fide, double-digit winners.

Last season, Hefner transformed Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, David Peterson, and Jose Quintana each into 10-plus game winners as well as reshaping the bullpen to help the Mets to the NLCS.

This season, Hefner appeared to have another success with the staff of converted reliever Peterson converted reliever Clay Holmes, Griffin Canning, and also Tyler McGill and Kodei Senga.

Hefner apparently had worked his magic again this season until his hurlers hit a pothole.

Aside from Peterson and Senga, pitching depth suddenly is a problem.

In 14 starts, Holmes has thrown 78 innings, his longest outing was seven innings in a victory over Colorado. However, his 78 innings topped his major-league high of 70 in 2021 between the Pirates and the Yankees. As a starter in the minors, Holmes’ highest inning season total was 131.6 in 26 starts for Double-A Altoona in 2016.

With more than half the season to go, Holmes looks like a five-inning starter.

Canning, who was the reclamation project from the Angels, has lost his touch, at least before his start in Philly this past weekend.

Over his last five starts before taking on the Phillies, Canning is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA. He still has a respectable 6-3 record with a 3.80 ERA.

McGill has an overall 5-5 record with a 3.95 ERA. But since May 4, McGill has a 1-2 record with a 6.17 ERA.

Peterson has been the steady buoy with his 5-2 record and a 2.49 ERA. He recently hurled a complete-game, six-hitter against the Nationals. Peterson has given up only four homers in 79 innings, striking out 71 and walking 25.

Senga was headed for Cy Young consideration with his 7-3 record and a league-best 1.47 ERA until he suffered a hamstring injury. He likely won’t be back until after the All-Star break.

Manaea is expected back in the rotation soon after his rehab starts, but Frankie Montas has been struggling with his 13-plus ERA in rehab starts.

Now, more than ever, the Mets’ potent lineup needs a steady stream as their starting pitching has spring some leaks.

If Hefner does have a pitching “lab,” he soon better concoct a concoction to curb his pitching woes.

Yankee Pin-Stakes: Despite not having Garrit Cole and Rookie-of-the-Year Luis Gil not in the rotation, the Yankees’ starting staff has held its own led by Max Fried (9-2, 1.89) and Carlos Rodon (8-5. 3.01).

The real problem has been their bats. Take Aaron Judge and his quest for .400 and 70-plus home runs, and what do you have? Paul Goldschmidt has proved to be an invaluable pickup at first with his banner season (seven homers, 31 RBIs, .309).

What has been troubling are the overall averages of Jazz Chisholm (.225) (he has been injured), Jasson Dominquez (.236), Trent Grisholm (.243), Cody Bellinger (.247), Jason Volpe (.241) and once wunderkind Ben Rice (.225).

D.J. LeMahieu looked like he discovered the Bronx Fountain of Youth with his return of hitting over .400, but he had since leveled off at .280. At age 36, you have to wonder how much is left in the tank for the one-time batting champion.

At this time, it looks like the Yankees will win the AL East. But are they a championship-caliber team?

Also, is it time to admit that Volpe is a bust at short? In his rookie year, Volpe gained attention with his 21-homer, 60 RBI, 24 steals season even though he only hit .209. Last season, Volpe hit 12 homers with 60 RBIs and 28 steals and raised his average to .243.

It will be interesting to see his final numbers for this season.

Scrapbook: Each week, I’ll look back at a former local standout from the area.

Justin Jachowicz had four productive years at Panther Valley. He continued his career at Kutztown University, where he ranks fourth on the university’s all-time appearance list with 63. Jachowicz was the winning pitcher in helping the Golden Bears win the PSAC championship in 2008.

However, he had made his mark in the Blue Mountain League, where he is still active after beginning his career in 2006. Jachowicz hold the record for most wins, currently holding an overall record of 82-38. He has been a nine-time all-star.

Time Passages: Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, manager, or situation from our favorite pastime.

Mike Maddux was a pitcher for both the Phillies and Mets. Maddux played 15 seasons in the majors for nine teams.

He had a four-year stay with the Phillies, where he went 10-13 with a 4.51 ERA in 64 games, while he was 5-9 with a 4.16 ERA in 85 games.

Maddux had other stops with the Padres, Dodgers, Red Sox, Expos, Astros, Pirates, and Mariners. Overall, he had a 39-37 record with a 4.05 ERA in 472 games.

Aside from playing, Maddux has been a pitching coach for the Rangers (2009-15), Nationals (2015-17), and Cardinals (2017-present). He is the brother of Greg Maddux.