In January, Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said he believed the team could win the National League East in 2020, despite it being expected to be one of the most competitive divisions in the sport. His reasoning? So much went wrong in a disappointing 2019 season, and the Phillies still managed to go 81-81.
PECOTA, Baseball Prospectus‘ statistical model, isn’t as optimistic. Tuesday, they released their 2020 record projections and have the Phillies finishing in fourth place in the National League East. That, in itself, isn’t especially shocking considering the Phillies finished in fourth a season ago.