Harper is absolutely smolderingly hot right now. Since July 1, he is hitting an insane .352 with 6 HR and 23 RBI with an OBP of .462 and an OPS at 1.129. Twenty-two of his 38 hits in that time frame are for extra bases and he's reached base in 15 straight games. If he keeps this up, he's going to get mentioned in the NL MVP discussion along with Max Muncy and Fernando Tatis Jr.
For the season, he's scored 64 runs and has 12 stolen bases and is second in baseball with a .415 OBP. I was never that big on the Phillies signing him to that huge contract. But the last month is making me a believer.
And a couple of thoughts on Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy, the two pitchers acquired from the Rangers for Spencer Howard. Gibson has been great in his two starts as a Phillie. He's 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA with opponents hitting just .196 against him with a paltry .522 OPS against.
Kennedy, on the other hand, might need a short leash from manager Joe Girardi. Kennedy has appeared in four games and allowed three homers in just 3.1 innings of work. His ERA is a ghastly 13.50 since joining the Phillies. I have a feeling Girardi gives him one more shot at closing before turning to Archie Bradley.
Bradley has been spectacular since the beginning of July allowing just one earned run and 12 hits in 15 innings, without giving up a homer. His ERA since then is 0.60. Yup, sounds like closer material to me.
(Harper photo by Getty Images via The Score)
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