Kapler already bracing for next round of criticism

The last time the Phillies were in Citi Field, they were on their way to an unsightly 1-4 start. Aware what was about to happen when Gabe Kapler was to be introduced for his first home game days later, Matt Klentak delivered the earliest vote of confidence in sports history.

That plea for patience did not help, and Kapler was booed before his first appearance in Citizens Bank Park. But when the Phils returned to Queens more than half a season later and in first place in the National League East, Kapler was growing in popularity … and aware that the praise could disappear as quickly as the criticism.

“I mean it as genuinely as I can: I expected noise,” Kapler said before the Monday doubleheader against the Mets. “And I also expected criticism. I still expect noise and criticism going forward because I think that is what brings attention to TV pieces, to written work, and so, I’m very well aware that’s part of the business. The more awareness I’m able to have, the less it’s going to take me off course, the less emotional highs and lows I’m going to experience.”

The Phillies responded to that 1-4 start by winning 48 of their next 80. With that, Kapler built an early Manager of the Year candidacy. Very early. “I know that that criticism is going to come,” he said. “I know it’s going to come in the second half of the season. I know it’s going to come for as long as I’m working in baseball.” *** Kapler plans to start Enyel De Los Santos, the righthander acquired in the trade for Freddy Galvis, Tuesday at 7:10 in Citi Field.

De Los Santos, 22, was 9-3 with a 1.89 ERA in 16 starts for the IronPigs. He was scheduled to participate in the Class AAA All-Star Game Wednesday. The Phillies will add him to their 40-man roster before his official promotion.

*** Luis Garcia continues to recover from a strained wrist.

“His last bullpen (session) was rocking,” Kapler said. “It was really strong. I think we’re getting really close there. Part of this is, we’re trying to determine whether we want to get him throwing his split and feeling confident in that, or if we just let him roll out there with a fastball-slider combination. I’m not going to tell you exactly where we go with that. But at this point, those are some of the considerations.”

*** The Phillies have exceeded most if not all of their pre-All-Star-break expectations. High among the reasons, Kapler believes, is the veteran presence provided by pricey acquisitions Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana.

“Those are bold and assertive moves that Matt made,” he said. “I think they pushed us forward. They gave us a platform. They gave us a foundation.

“Last year’s club had made some progress in the second half of the season. And then in the offseason you add some dependable bullpen pieces with real track records of success. You add a former Cy Young Award winner this spring. You add a middle-of-the-lineup bat who I personally think has had an outstanding year, a remarkable year, one that has completely flown under the radar. I remember in April thinking the same thing. Santana has been tremendous.”