While many questions deal with tomorrow’s stars, organizations make decisions based on a hitter’s performance for roughly 200 at-bats, and the Philadelphia Phillies are no different.

Up the Middle:

In a time of instantaneous expectations, the future does not have a fast-forward button to skip the journey and reach the destination.

Beginning the year with 12 of your first 15 games against contenders is a recipe for disaster – the divisional basement – if they remember your team’s relentlessness. Well, the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets weren’t forgetful despite their current difficulties. Washington compensated for their bullpen woes, and New York “parked” some homers to ease their hitting struggles. However, the Phils haven’t been pushovers for the Nationals or the Mets – who had three one-run victories in their four wins. Why? More runs by the red pinstripes.

Ranking comparison through April 20 (and all 2017 stats):

2016: 30th in the MLB and 15th in the NL.

2017: 9th in the MLB and 4th in the NL (tied with the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds in both).

If you take the wayback machine to 2008, the middle of the diamond featured Carlos “Chooch” Ruiz, Chase “the Man” Utley, Jimmy “J-Roll” Rollins and Shane “the Flyin’ Hawaiian” Victorino. Ergo, the heart of the defense is also an important element in a championship-caliber franchise.

A 162-game concept location-wise:

One strike equals one game.

Nine strikes equal three outs or nine games.

One inning equals 18 games.

Nine innings equal 162 games or 162 strikes.

The Phillies have played 15 games (6-9) or two outs in the home first.

While many locals are growing weary of the stats for a few regulars, they are immune to the runner metaphor (a marathon, etc.) needing a new, precise yardstick for the long 162. Basically, each out has three strikes and each strike equals one game. In other words, there are two outs in the bottom of the first. Would you head for the exit before inning one is over?