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Bryce Harper has been an unstoppable force at the plate this offseason. In the NLDS, against defending World Series champions Atlanta, he went 8-of-16 with three home runs and two run-scoring doubles.
“He can take over series. We saw that. Right in the middle of our lineup, guys on base, not on base — it didn’t matter. It was just squaring up ball after ball after ball. There’s a reason why he’s been the MVP — twice. And we saw it on display in full force in this series,” hitting coach Kevin Long told reporters after Saturday’s 8-3 win over the Braves, per Barry Sverluga of The Washington Post.
“He’s a better hitter now. When I had him in Washington, he was too up and down. And now he’s way more consistent,” Long continued.
Harper responded, “I just think I’m older, right? Just more developed. I think it’s a mind-set, a mentality, a maturity. It’s all of it. Just understanding who I am better and what I need to do.”
By channeling that improved, more consistent hitting into a dominant postseson performance, he also exorcised the demon that has been the NLDS, winning his first after multiple appearances in that round of competition.
It helps that he plays for a city that holds the team accountable and is invested in their journey to a world title.
“I feel like I’m hand-in-hand with them and vice versa. When you want to play hard, when you want to be in a city, when you want to be a factor in a city, that’s all they want to see. They just want you to play hard. That’s it. They want you to go out there and bust your ass each day. No excuses, good or bad. They don’t care. They just want you to keep doing it.”
Harper has been vocal and energized in the dugout for his team, rooting on his team and firing up the fans in key moments this postseason. He has been the leader many expect him to be given his status and is a major reason the Phillies are three wins away from competing in their first World Series since 2009.
“When I think back in 2015, ’16, ’17, ’18 all the way through, Jayson Werth said, ‘There’s nothing like Philly when it’s winning,” Harper said of his former Nationals teammate and World Series champion with the Phils.
Harper certainly hopes he can keep his teams bats swinging against a gritty Padres team. If he, Alec Bohm, Jean Segura, JT Realmuto and Nick Castellanos can continue driving in runs, the Phillies will be an extremely difficult out for either the Padres in this NLCS or whichever team represents the American League.