There are many, many examples of eventual playoff teams getting off to slow starts.  Just two years ago, the Rockies went into San Diego during the first week (games 4, 5 and 6) and crushed the Pads 10-4, 12-4, and 10-4.  Padre fans were up in arms and calling for a total house cleaning.  Their defending NL West champs were 1-4 (later 8-15) with seemingly no pitching.  Wouldn't you know, the Padres finished the season 88-74 and won the West again.  Core talent and fundamentals prevail in the long run.