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Phillies GM backs Kapler during losing streak: 'I believe in our guys'

Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak has made it perfectly clear that the club's recent slide hasn't made manager Gabe Kapler's seat any warmer.

Despite the Phillies entering play Monday in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, Kapler's job, as well as those of his coaches, are secure at least through the end of the season.

"I've been a part of organizations that have made in-season staff changes before," Klentak said, according to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia. "You have to believe that if you're going to do that, you have to believe that your alternative is better than your status quo. And I believe in our guys."

Philadelphia made some high-profile changes during the offseason, adding former MVPs Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen in free agency while also trading for All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto.

But the results haven't borne a sustained winner thus far. The Phillies rank near the middle of the pack in hitting, while their pitching staff has been among the worst in baseball by collective WAR, according to Fangraphs. Kapler's work in the dugout has also received criticism, prompting questions about his future in Philadelphia.

For Klentak, firing Kapler now would simply be a knee-jerk reaction during a rough patch.

"I'm very well aware of all the criticism right now of the manager, the coaching staff, of certain players," Klentak said. "I understand why it's happening. When a team goes through a stretch like we've gone through in the last couple of weeks, people are going to ask a lot of questions.

"... This is the same team that was in first place two weeks ago. This is the same team that looked like a juggernaut for the first two weeks of the year. This is the same team that went toe to toe with the best teams in the NL about a month ago. That has not radically changed. Our place in the standings has changed. We have not played good baseball. That is stating the obvious. To lose faith in our players, to lose faith in our staff is the wrong thing to do at this time."

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