While fans tune in to each game, they never know if the starter, the offense and/or the bullpen will disappoint them, as the losses keep mounting for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Games Remaining at 93:

If you only watch half of a movie, you can only guess how it began or how it will end.

Despite limited chances to enjoy a victory, the faithful continue supporting their guys in red pinstripes and waiting for the darkness presently clouding their club to dissipate. In other words, last season’s highs during the first two months match the lows of 2017 to date. But when you review some individual stars, the same pattern emerges: Expectations on Opening Day for Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco have led to questions regarding their talent. Yet, strong second-half performances by both will renew the optimism of March and April. Severe growing pains.

If this trend only affected the offense, an in-depth analysis would reveal a third baseman and a center fielder who had overachieved last summer. However, the young starters have also experienced the same phenomenon – especially Jerad Eickhoff and Aaron Nola. Meanwhile, Ben Lively and Nick Pivetta are mystifyingly showing the upward career trajectory we witnessed frequently from the young hurlers in last year’s rotation. A coincidence?

Ending with the most likely candidates to appear with the Phillies, this article covers the arms in the pipeline who are the closest to an advancement. Basically, it shows the additional competition for the slots on the five-man staff of the red and white.

While many locals gave up on right-hander Mark Appel, his overall record in the organization has done nothing to warrant otherwise. But his last five outings for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs are encouraging. He has pitched 31 innings in those five contests with a 3-1 mark and a 1.74 ERA. Ergo, MiLB limbo.

After straining his elbow during his first appearance with Lehigh Valley, Zach Eflin began throwing in Florida around June 19 and will pitch a simulated game by June 25. So, early July is a safe guess for his return to the IronPigs’ rotation. However, here is another example of a pitcher expected to contribute who took a step backward.