I'm not sure about the players checking out. Bottom line is that in comparison, they've given up 100 more runs than last season. Yes, the offense has maybe been a bit disappointing and slumping but that's not the problem. The problem is: Davies, Anderson, Gio, Houser, and Lyles is what you're trying to rely on with a not very good bullpen. That might get you by with peak form, Hader, Knebel, and Jeffress but not with their current production. It does feel like a lost season at this point. They really banked hard on Woodruff, Burnes and Peralta. Hindsight says they overplayed that hand a bit. Nothing about their season is indicating any sort of resurgence so I'm not super hopeful. Guess I'm just hoping they hang around and at least play better. I am interested to see if Houser can develop.