Phillies: Low-to-high victory forecast for 2020

Pluses and minuses:

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Beginning with 2019’s 81 wins, the Phillies added five triumphs with the Girardi hire and nine victories with eight players and the pen each contributing one more win in ’20. But deduct five victories for a 90 tally because some things won’t work out, plus unforeseen injuries and disappointments will occur in an average 162.

Basically, the doubting Thomases either expect more than management does from their employees, and they overvalue the fifth slot that some figure for Eflin and/or Arrieta, while they also overestimate divisional foes. Plus they consider a down summer or an injury to anticipate failure instead of an 86-90 victory range.

For now, the negative fan base can’t see the Phils’ advantages. And if the Fightins are healthy, they will be in the postseason hunt. But that could be problematic for the naysayers who demand Klentak’s dismissal –he could get axed with another .500 mark– so what outcome would they prefer? The playoffs or a fired GM?

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