Gabe Kapler's Phillies are presently enduring a seven-game losing streak. They're also 6.5 games behind the first-place Braves, presently out of playoff position and their season appears to be slipping away.
Given the high expectations coming into the season -- Bryce Harper, Andrew McCutchen, Jean Segura, and J.T. Realmuto were all new to the fold -- the fact that the Phillies are only one game above .500 with a minus-8 run differential would seem to put manager Gabe Kapler on the hot seat. GM Matt Klentak, however, sounds like he's sticking with his man:
Klentak: "Gabe Kapler is our manager and our staff is our staff. I've been part of teams that have made in-season staff changes, so I understand how that can happen. But right now, I do not think that is the right way for us to go."
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) June 24, 2019
For rest of the season?
"That's the plan."
Yes, there's some hedging in there -- "right now, I do not think" and "That's the plan" -- but this pretty much qualifies as a vote of confidence. It's not a rock solid one, but it's an indication that Kapler's job is not in immediate peril.
Unfortunately for Kapler and Phillies, their outlook over the remainder of the season isn't especially promising. If they don't outplay that forecast, then Klentak may avail himself of that bit of daylight he left in his comments. The Phillies get a four-game set started Monday night against the Mets, who have plenty of their own problems and managerial questions.
