PHOENIX -- Gabe Kapler, wearing a black Adidas cap, a black T-shirt with cut-off sleeves, the veins bulging in his biceps after the early afternoon workout, sits behind the desk in the visiting manager’s office, oozing of calmness and serenity.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ season, once filled with so much promise, and even hysteria after the signing of Bryce Harper, ever so quietly is slipping away.

They were in first place two months ago, threatening to run away with the NL East just as everyone envisioned, but now are struggling for playoff survival. They have fallen to third place in the NL East, going 26-30 since June 1, with their playoff odds plummeting to 19.5%, according to FanGraphs.

This could be the eighth consecutive season the Phillies failed to make the postseason, spanning four managers and two GMs.

Kapler, who has one year and $1 million left on his original three-year, $2.7 million contract, knows there are plenty of fans who would love to see his departure.

It’s Kapler’s looks, his demeanor, his terminologies, his eating habits, his game-strategy and, yes, his win-loss record, that has the Phillies’ faithful believing it’s time for another change.

Kapler has been never accepted by the Phillies’ fans. Then again, he has never been given a chance. They mocked him before he wrote out his first lineup card. They booed him in his first home game as manager. They booed him in his last one, too.

Now with teams using these final seven weeks to make the ultimate call, the prevailing belief among Phillies’ executives is that Kapler’s job is safe.

The Phillies haven’t won, and the fans are furious, but he remains beloved by the front office. They love his passion and sincerity. They love his willingness to be fully indoctrinated in their organization, whether it’s telephoning and welcoming new employees, making ticket sales calls, or volunteering for research projects. They love his conviction and beliefs.

They still believe he is the right man for the job, and besides, if they dared let him go, word is that the San Francisco Giants would quickly turn to him, replacing outgoing manager Bruce Bochy. He has strong ties to Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, from their days together with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Francisco may be close to home, where his style and flair would be embraced and not scorned in the Bay Area, but Kapler desperately wants to stay in Philadelphia.

“It’s challenging,’’ Kapler told USA TODAY Sports in a 45-minute interview, “in a very rewarding way. Actually, it’s challenging and fulfilling, simultaneously.

“We’ve certainly had our bouts with adversity and challenges along the way, but we have a really good core here. We have a very innovative and creative front office. We have a strong field staff in place. And we have lot of talent in this room.

“For all of those reasons, I’m really happy to be here.’’

Kapler, 44, knows that every game the Phillies lose, he wears the bullseye.

It doesn’t matter that the bullpen has been decimated by injuries, with only two relievers still active from their opening-day roster. Or that they’ve used 13 outfielders. Or they lost leadoff hitter Andrew McCutchen in June for the season. Or that ace Aaron Nola has only 10 victories. Or that two of their starters have been demoted to the bullpen. Or that their highest-paid starter, Jake Arrieta, is pitching with a bone spur that requires surgery. Or that they are among the worst offensive teams in the National League despite hitting in a hitters’ paradise, ranking only ninth in runs, 11th in homers, and 12th in slugging percentage.

“Frustrating, very frustrating,’’ says Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins.

Yet, Hoskins and his teammates aren’t the ones being regularly booed and chastised on the daily airwaves. It’s Kapler.

“My job is always to put the players first, put field staff first, put the organization first, put the front office first,’’ Kapler says, “and if that means criticism, I’ll take that. It’s part of the job. I signed up for it.

“I would never want a job that didn’t challenge me at the highest level every single day. This job does that. And specifically managing in Philadelphia challenges me every day. And I love that.’’

If there’s anyone in the Phillies’ clubhouse who believes Kapler should take the fall if they miss the playoffs, that sentiment is being kept private. They laud Kapler’s communication skills, with Jean Segura talking about how Kapler actually used FaceTime on Monday to tell him he was batting fifth that evening, and utilityman Sean Rodriguez raving that rarely are players are caught unaware of how they’ll be used.

“He’s one of the best communicators I’ve ever been around,’’ said Rodriguez, teammates with Kapler in Tampa Bay in 2010. “What I really appreciate with him is that if you counterintuitive say something against what he’s saying, he’s very quick to accept that. Hey, that’s definitely unique, especially for a manager.'

Still, this is Philadelphia. The folks don’t care how he’s viewed in the clubhouse, they want to win.Nothing short is tolerated. You can make all of the mistakes you want in places like San Diego, Seattle and Tampa, but those same blunders are magnified and mocked in Philly, where there is no forgiveness.

“This was a huge adjustment taking this job, and it’s tough here,’’ Arrieta says, “but I think he’s much more comfortable his second year as manager.

“He had a lot to learn last year, but he’s getting better and better, and he’s only going to get more comfortable in his role. I know he’s having a lot of fun. And I know we’re having a lot of fun playing for him.

“He’s doing a hell of a job, he really is.’’

Says Harper, who signed baseball’s richest free-agent contract, $330 million, in the off-season: “I’ve really enjoyed him because he really cares. He’s super genuine about everything he does.

“The way he approaches every day, he’s very positive, and he lets us take control of our clubhouse. I think he’s been great.’’

Kapler is one of five second-year managers who came into 2018 with no managerial experience. Alex Cora won a World Series with Boston his rookie season. Aaron Boone made the playoffs with the New York Yankees. Davey Martinez of Washington and Mickey Callaway of the New York Mets fell on their faces, but now have their teams in the mix for a playoff berth this year. And then there’s Kapler, who’s trying to keep his team afloat.

It’s really no different than Kapler, says, than himself, who believes the 2.0 version is much improved. He prides himself on communication this year, taking a direct and individual approach with the players. He’s a better listener. And the experience alone has helped his in-game moves.

He constantly tells his players what’s on his mind, and reminds Arrieta how much he appreciates that he’s pitching with a painful bone spur, with surgery scheduled the moment the season ends, or the Phillies fall out of the race.

And sure, Harper may easily be the highest-paid player in Phillies’ history, but it doesn’t mean he was going to morph into Mike Schmidt. He may be hitting .249 with 19 homers, 73 RBI and an .829 OPS, but he’s also guy playing his best defense in years.

“He’s an absolute stud as a human being,’’ Kapler said.

“You want to fight for that guy. I’d do anything for Bryce.’’

Well, in these next six weeks, we’ll find how much these players fight for Kapler. A year ago, they were in first place on Aug. 8. They lost 28 of their last 40 games, finishing 10 games out of first. They can’t afford another free-fall without someone paying the price.

“I can’t stress this enough,’’ Kapler says, “but if I can do anything to shield the criticism from anyone else, that means I’m doing my job.

“And at the end of the day, no matter what, I know I gave everything I had to it.

“I’ll always be proud of that.’’