No they're not imaginary, but I think they are easily explained by the first half being unsustainable, and him having a history of injury and non-durability, and the actual innings/injury this year.
And he was only dominant in last year's playoffs against the Braves, and was used very carefully (particularly in Game 1 where he only went 3 2/3). Had he been dominant in the NLCS we'd be reminiscing about the World Series too (though he was hardly the reason for that).
And he had a 4.18 ERA in 2022. He's always been a solid #3 and still is (certainly Sanchez is no more consistent); the glimpses of him as an ace or even #2 were far more fleeting which is also why he has not been extended, I reckon (not that he still can't be, but it was smart not to pay him in the heat of his first half).
Sadly the Phillies not being sure if Ranger was even a #3 (he was #4 behind Eflin in 2022) is also why they signed Taijuan.
