Phillies Following Bryce Harper’s Lead To Dominate on Field

Sacrificing is what the Phillies have been doing over the last few weeks. In a remarkable turn of events, a team that was in the cellar of the MLB in on-base percentage is now taking walks and playing small ball, making life difficult for opposing pitchers.

Harper, who has gotten on base 34 consecutive games, is battling every time he steps to the plate. It is something that interim manager Don Mattingly has taken notice of, as his star slugger never gives in or wastes a plate appearance.

“It’s a different animal,” Mattingly said. “Harp’s been day in, day out. Watching him all year long, he just does not give away at-bats. It’s rare that he gives an at-bat away.”

Since Arraez has been inserted into the lineup as the cleanup hitter behind Harper, his production has soared. Having legitimate protection, even though Arraez hasn’t quite produced at the same level as he did with the San Francisco Giants, has helped immensely.

In 119 plate appearances since the second baseman’s arrival, Harper has produced numbers normally only seen in a video game, with an on-base percentage of .521. The next closest person, as Gelb noted, is 58 points away.

“He’s always been incredible, and I think people lose sight of how good he really is,” Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo said. “I think he gets held to an extremely high standard, which he also holds himself to. So I think it’s tough. But the guy, I mean, he just hits.”

During his on-base streak, Harper has produced a ridiculous .345/.494/.588 slash line with six home runs, nine doubles, one triple and 19 RBI in 154 plate appearances. He has drawn 35 walks and struck out 28 times.

This red-hot stretch has greatly improved his season-long numbers. His batting average has increased by 23 points, his on-base percentage is up 36 and his slugging has improved by 25, pushing his OPS over .900 with a 61-point improvement.

Sustaining this down the stretch will not be easy, but no one is going to bet against a locked-in Harper keeping it up for the last few weeks of the regular season into the playoffs.

Sign up for our free newsletter to receive the latest news and updates!