Bryce Harper is ‘chasing the ghost of himself’

Bryce Harper has had quite the past couple of games, as he continues to heat up, furthering his case to join the National League All-Star team.

The Philadelphia Phillies first baseman hit for the cycle on Saturday (the first of his career) and nearly did again on Sunday Night Baseball, falling a triple shy. In the last two games against the New York Mets, Harper is seven-for-nine, with two home runs, four RBI and one strikeout. 

Further adding to how locked in the two-time MVP is at the plate, Harper raised his season batting average from .248 to .266 in these two games, which includes hanging in with a tough left-hander like David Peterson. 

Bryce Harper's hot stretch comes as he is "chasing the ghost of himself"

After Saturday's manhandling of the Mets (15-3), Harper said he was "chasing the ghost of himself," which prompted him to clarify his comments after Sunday night's win (6-2). 

"Every bar I set for myself from the time I was seven years old until now – number 1 pick, Golden Spikes, High School Player of the Year, all those things… I made it happen. I’m always chasing myself," Harper said after Sunday night's game. "Trying to be better and trying to chase those dreams and aspirations that I have and being 33 [years-old], that's not going to change."

Harper's drive to chase his ghost -- including four Silver Sluggers and a Rookie of the Year Award -- could stem from his boss, Dave Dombrowski, calling his franchise player "Not Elite" in spring training. Dombrowski was referring to Harper not having his typical MVP-type season in 2025, playing in 132 games and falling short of 30 home runs (27). 

However, Harper missed most of June last season due to right wrist inflammation. The eight-time All-Star has not missed any time this season, playing in all 77 of the Phillies' games. 

Bryce Harper is getting hot at the same time Kyle Schwarber is

Other than taking the series against the Mets (2-1 and the first meeting of the season between the two teams), Harper and his teammate, Kyle Schwarber, are heating up. Schwarber on Saturday mashed three home runs and added another off (David) Peterson (a three-run home run) in the second inning on Sunday. 

Along with Harper, he and Schwarber are a combined 12-for-17 with six home runs and 13 RBIs over the past two games. This is good for the Phillies, who have seen Brandon Marsh (the team's leading hitter, .310) also take strides at the plate.