Phillies: Quirky winning habit

Surprisingly –or not– the Phillies are doing more than enjoying multiple victories, but many missed it because the consecutive sweeps were against last-place teams.

Something’s afoot:

While the Philadelphia Phillies are catching the locals off guard, one thing’s hiding in plain sight. But keep in mind, it’s a combination of many unique pieces for sunnier days ahead.

IN OTHER WORDS: “You can’t create the future unless you imagine it.” – Joe Quirk

If you recently listened to the postgame analysis regarding the triumphs over the Miami Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays, the after-the-fact expectation was for those sweeps. Think about it! Can you remember the last time the Phils won back-to-back series against basement-level competition? No?

In 2012, the red pinstripes had consecutive sweeps at the Bank against the Colorado Rockies and Miami. Otherwise, defeating those at the bottom of their division has not occurred in the last 11 years: 2007 through 2017.

Phillies’ consecutive sweeps:

• 2011: the Pittsburgh Pirates (Three each) and Colorado (2 losing teams).
• 2010: Back-to-back sweeps (Three apiece): 1 against a losing club.
• 2010: 3 consecutive sweeps (Three each) versus NL East teams (1 in last place).
• 2009: Back-to-back sweeps (Three apiece) separated by the All-Star break (1 in last place).
• 2008: 2 straight sweeps for seven triumphs (1 losing team).

On the other hand, beating up on bottom-feeding franchises is not so easy after all. So, one partial conclusion is regulars don’t pace themselves when they know they won’t be playing 162 games. They can give 100 percent and not waste at-bats. Ergo, more wins.

Of course, the end result has many parts and layers contributing to the whole. But going below the surface with each series reveals other benefits to the plan of general manager Matt Klentak.

Regarding motivation, management has more of a hit-and-sit approach. The idea is for everybody to contribute to the offensive production: Struggling players with power are in the five hole with protection, only one productive regular sits to accommodate switches, and both want to earn more playing time.

Scheme or plan?

While analytics plays a role, Kapler does more than positioning fielders, filling out lineup cards and changing pitchers based on matchups. He teaches each player the meaning of their stats to accelerate their progress, while this frequent communication earns their trust.

For now, they’re buying into the manager’s thinking, working counts, and making defensive plays even if they’re having difficulty at the plate. To illustrate, Aaron Altherr made a game-saving catch on April 15 against Tampa Bay. But keep in mind, Kapler also knows his youngsters will experience growing pains.

Yes, veterans –like Carlos Santana and Cesar Hernandez— would balk at sitting even if they are slumping, while the rookies and sophomores still must earn their spurs. However, they can lean on each other because they were together on the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils and the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

If you didn’t see this early success coming, you aren’t alone. Even the Phillies broadcasters and television analysts are having some trouble at times explaining it.

But what do the faithful make of Kapler and the job he’s doing? Well, one poster stated he is sick of the hate Kapler receives, but he also admitted his dislike for the “CEO and motivational speaker” persona. However, he felt the guy must be doing something right.

On the other hand, another fan replied with the scapegoat-to-be answer toward managers and GMs. He said all the credit goes only to the players, the hitting coach and Kapler’s staff. Of course, he raved about that coaching and disagreed with many of the skipper’s lineup choices. Yeah, winning is irrelevant.

One knowledgeable local remarked that the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers have had success with similar approaches. Therefore, Scott Kingery, Maikel Franco, J.P. Crawford, Nick Williams and Altherr will continue to split playing time.