The conversation began to turn to 2019 earlier this week as the Phillies continued to pile up losses in the season's final month when Gabe Kapler was asked if Jorge Alfaro would be his starting catcher next year.
The Phillies, Kapler said, are "still squarely in 2018" and they remain focused on their "hunt for a playoff spot." So it felt fitting when a day later, it was Alfaro delivering a go-ahead homer in Tuesday night's 5-2 victory over the Mets at Citizens Bank Park. It was enough to allow Kapler to keep his sights set on his team's ever-so-slim playoff hopes and enough to remind why Alfaro will have a role next season.