It took the Philadelphia Phillies a li

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — ttle longer than usual to arrive at a familiar spot.After leading their division with the second-best record in the National League one week into August Steven Wright Jersey , the Phillies went 16-33 over the final 49 games and finished with a losing record (80-82) for the sixth straight season.There are several reasons for the collapse, and the Phillies will enter the offseason with plenty of questions as they try to reshape the roster into one that can contend for a full season. Philadelphia could try to land a big-name free agent like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado — or even both.“There’s been some really important answers but there’s things we have to address this offseason and future offseasons,” general manager Matt Klentak said Monday.Gabe Kapler’s first season as manager was adventurous. His unconventional approach drew a ton of scrutiny and criticism in Philadelphia, especially after the team fell apart.But Klentak is sticking by his analytics-minded manager and his new-school style.“His energy, his attitude, his work ethic and his willingness to adjust are about as good as they can be and I think we made enormous strides this year,” Klentak said. “We were projected to win 74-76 games. That team is not going to the playoffs if you play traditional baseball. When those are your expectations, that’s a good year to try things.”Kapler, who found a positive spin on everything throughout the season, is optimistic — no surprise — about 2019.“If everybody takes a small step forward in their development we’ll win a lot of baseball games Tyler Thornburg Jersey ,” Kapler said.Here’s some things to know about the Phillies heading into the offseason:GOT AN ACE: Right-hander Aaron Nola established himself as a legitimate No. 1 starter by having one of the best seasons in franchise history. He was 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA. His 224 strikeouts were the second-most ever by a Phillies pitcher age 25 or younger. He joined Grover Cleveland Alexander (1915) as the only Phillies pitchers to strike out 200 or more batters and hold opponents to a batting average of .200 or lower. His 0.976 WHIP was the fifth-lowest in team history.REST OF ROTATION: Right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-11, 3.96) isn’t going anywhere because of his big contract. Fellow righties Zach Eflin (11-8, 4.36), Vince Velasquez (9-12, 4.85) and Nick Pivetta (7-14, 4.77) showed flashes but lacked consistency. It’s likely at least one of the trio returns and all three could be back.CLOSING TIME: Rookie Seranthony Dominguez (2.95 ERA, 16 for 20 in save opportunities, 74 Ks in 58 innings) struggled after an outstanding start and then finished strong. Hector Neris lost his closer’s job, got demoted and was excellent down the stretch. Several relievers had up-and-down seasons. The Phillies like their bullpen depth.INCONSISTENT OFFENSE: The Phillies finished last in average (.234) and were 22nd in runs. More hitters regressed as coaches emphasized launch angle instead of contact. Six players hit at least 15 homers but only two teams struck out more. Left fielder/first baseman Rhys Hoskins (.246, 34 homers http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-jackie-bradley-jr-jersey , 96 RBIs) will be part of the nucleus going forward. Catcher Jorge Alfaro (.262, 10, 37) and infielder Scott Kingery (.226, 8, 35) will get another chance to prove they can be regulars. But there aren’t many other guarantees. Outfielder Odubel Herrera had a career-high in homers (22) and career-low in average (.255). Same for second baseman Cesar Hernandez (.253, 15, 60). Third baseman Maikel Franco (.270, 22, 68) and outfielder Nick Williams (.256, 17 Roger Clemens Jersey , 50) aren’t locks to be back.CHASING STARS: The Phillies will make a strong push for Harper and Machado. They spent big bucks on Arrieta ($75 million, three years), first baseman Carlos Santana ($60 million, three years) and right-handed relievers Pat Neshek (2.59 ERA, five saves) and Tommy Hunter (3.80 ERA, four saves) last offseason and got varying results. Ownership has deep pockets and a need to improve attendance. Harper or Machado or both would excite fans and significantly upgrade the lineup. NEW YORK — The New York Mets and Miami Marlins are going to try again Thursday to play a doubleheader. It’s hard to imagine the two games going much better for the Mets — or much worse for the Marlins — than their single game went Wednesday.The Mets and Marlins will hope Mother Nature finally cooperates Thursday, when they are scheduled to close out a four-game series with a single-gate doubleheader at Citi Field beginning at 3:10 p.m.Zack Wheeler allowed four hits over eight shutout innings Wednesday night, when the Mets earned a long-delayed 13-0 win. The two teams were slated to play a single-gate doubleheader because of a rainout Monday, but heavy rain pelted Citi Field for several hours Wednesday afternoon and evening and only one game could be played.Article continues below ...“The challenge is to get back up going again after you’ve sat for so long,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said afterward. “Guys are coming around asking ‘You got any word? You got any word?’ You have to sit six hours and all of a sudden http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-andrew-benintendi-jersey , you have to turn it on like a switch. And they did a pretty good job of it tonight.”Wheeler threw the first pitch at 9:45 p.m., more than 5 1/2 hours later than scheduled. The final out was recorded at 12:15 a.m.“It was the same way (for both teams) — just a long day, a lot of sitting around,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said.The originally scheduled starters for Thursday night — Mets left-hander Steven Matz (5-11, 4.17 ERA) and Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 0.75) — will square off in the opener.The hurlers who were supposed to start Wednesday’s second game — New York left-hander Jason Vargas (5-9, 6.75) and Miami right-hander Jeff Brigham (0-1, 9.00) — are slotted for the nightcap.With a win Thursday, the Mets (66-78) will assure themselves of no worse than a split for the 10th time in their last 11 series. New York is 7-1-2 in its last 10 series.The Marins (57-87) will need to sweep to earn only their fourth series win since the All-Star Break. Miami is 3-8-4 in 15 series in that span.Matz didn’t factor into the decision in his most recent start Friday, when he gave up two runs over five innings as the Mets fell to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3. He hasn’t won in his last six starts (0-3) dating to July 31 but has allowed only four runs over 19 innings in his last three outings.Alcantara earned the win in his second big league start Sept. 5 Luis Tiant Jersey , when he allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings as the Marlins beat the Phillies 2-1. The outing was his first since he recorded the victory in his major league debut June 29, when he gave up one run over five innings as the Marlins cruised by the Mets 8-2.Vargas took the loss in his most recent start Sept. 4, when he gave up five runs (four earned) over 3 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the Dodgers 11-4.Brigham will be making his second big league start and appearance. He lost his debut Sept. 2, when he allowed three runs over three innings as Miami fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1.Matz is 3-2 with a 3.06 ERA in six career starts against the Marlins, and he gave up just one run in 5 1/3 innings to pick up a win over Miami this season. Vargas is 1-1 with a 3.27 ERA in two career starts against Miami, and he threw five shutout innings against the Marlins to get a win on May 21 this season.