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5 Philadelphia Phillies Players Off To Horrible Starts In 2015

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5 Philadelphia Phillies Players Off To Horrible Starts In 2015

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies,
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With about 20 percent of the 162-game season having already been played, the Philadelphia Phillies are on a pace to win less than 60 games for the first time since the 1972 season. During that year, a left-hander named Steve Carlton won 27 of that team’s 59 wins. There are not any Steve Carltons on this club, but a lot of guys having career-worst years. Here are the top five offenders.

5. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies,
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5. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies,
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If Cole Hamels wanted to be traded to a winner, he certainly isn't holding up his end of the bargain. Through his first four decisions, Hamels is 1-3 with a 4.14 ERA and has given up a team-high eight home runs. With each loss, Hamels is driving down his own value and ensuring that the Phillies will have to settle when it comes time to trade him.

4. Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies,
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4. Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies,
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After a .223 season in 2014 and a .179 spring training this year, Ryan Howard is not engendering a whole lot of confidence in his future with a current .220 average. He does have five home runs, but no serious MLB team can afford to play a .220 hitter on an everyday basis. Maybe that’s why the Phillies are serious about continuing to play him.

3. Ben Revere

Ben Revere, Philadelphia Phillies,
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3. Ben Revere

Ben Revere, Philadelphia Phillies,
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After coming off a career-year (.306), Revere, a lifetime slap hitter with a noodle for an arm, is hitting .264 with a team-high 106 at-bats but providing little production in important areas like RBI and extra-base hits (eight each). The Phillies are getting no power out of an outfield where they have to play two similar players, Revere and Odubel Herrera. At the end of the season, the team will have to keep one -- Revere is the odd man out.

2. Jake Diekman

Jake Diekman, Philadelphia Phillies,
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2. Jake Diekman

Jake Diekman, Philadelphia Phillies,
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Expected to be the lefty star of a promising bullpen, Jake Diekman -- like many of his teammates -- has fallen flat on his face. Through 12 games, Diekman is 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA. He has struck out 13 but walked 10 and given up 15 hits. Those are the kinds of numbers that project to a quick demotion soon.

1. Chase Utley

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies,
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1. Chase Utley

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies,
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Father time might have caught up to Chase Utley and that clock was ticking last year, too, when he hit only .235 over the second split of last season. Now, Utley has been given the last two days off due to a .103 batting average. One more 0-for-4 collar and Utley will be hitting .099. Ouch.

Mike Gibson is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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