Phillies need Bryce Harper to improve in one critical area before MLB playoffs

Christopher Damond

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Phillies need Bryce Harper to improve in one critical area before MLB playoffs image

The Philadelphia Phillies have all but secured their second straight NL East title, sitting eight games ahead of the New York Mets with just weeks left in the regular season. 

But if the Phillies want to exercise last postseason’s demons and make a deep run, they’ll need star slugger Bryce Harper to be clutch this October. Just one problem—he’s struggled to hit with runners in scoring position during the second half of the season.

Phillies writer John Stolnis recently broke down the discrepancy between Harper’s first-half numbers with RISP and his dip in production following the All-Star break on X.   

Harper’s second-half struggles

Here’s Harper’s RISP numbers (entering Monday’s games) before and after the All-Star break:

 

  • First Half: .288/.413/.525, .939 OPS

 

  • Second Half: .174/.250/.283, .533 OPS

However, Harper’s overall production during the second half of this season is similar to his first-half numbers. He was slashing .261/.374/.451 before the break and .262/.317/.545 after.

It's just in clutch situations where he's struggled down the stretch. But Harper should be given the benefit of the doubt, especially when it comes to the postseason. Over 34 career games for Philadelphia in October, he holds a .325 batting average with 12 home runs and 24 RBI. 

Oh, and he was named the NLCS MVP in 2022 after leading the Phillies past the San Diego Padres in five games. 

All that’s to say—Harper has been nothing but clutch in the postseason for Philadelphia, so expect him to step up once again this October. 

Philadelphia is surely more concerned about navigating the MLB playoffs without ace Zack Wheeler, who suffered a season-ending injury in late August. Trea Turner is also currently out with a right hamstring strain, though he’s expected back for the postseason. 

The Phillies (84-60) face the New York Mets (76-68) tonight at Citizens Bank Park. 

Christopher Damond

Christopher Damond is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2023 graduate of the University of Miami, where he was sports editor of the student newspaper. He's covered national sporting events for the Miami Herald, including the NCAA Men's Final Four, and has served in media relations roles for the Kansas City Royals and Miami Dolphins. Follow him @damond1chris.