Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper Riding Career-Best Streak vs. Washington Nationals

The Philadelphia Phillies' series against the Washington Nationals may not be the most riveting matchup in the NL East this season, but it still carries a lot of weight for superstar Bryce Harper.

Harper will be appearing in his 63rd career game against the Nationals this week, facing off against the franchise where he spent the first seven years of his MLB career. Harper – who won NL Rookie of the Year and NL MVP in DC – has found plenty of success at the plate against his former team over the years, especially of late.

The outfielder-turned-first baseman has reached base in each of his last 36 games against Washington, which is his longest streak against any team from any point in his career, according to OptaSTATS. The only player with a longer active streak against a single team is Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, who has made it aboard the last 37 times he's played the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bryce Harper has reached base safely in each of his last 36 games against the Nationals, the longest such streak against any team in Harper's career.

The only longer active streak in the majors is Ian Happ's 37 straight games reaching base safely against the Pirates. pic.twitter.com/BjNa3Ij8wJ
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 7, 2023

Since joining the Phillies in 2019, Harper is hitting .315 with a 1.021 OPS versus the Nationals. This season, Harper is 9-for-23 against Washington with five walks, four strikeouts, three doubles and two RBI in six games.

Harper is batting .300 with six home runs, 35 RBI and an .816 OPS so far this season. The 30-year-old missed the first month of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November 2022.

Philadelphia is right in the thick of a playoff push, sitting in the top NL Wild Card spot at 61-51. Washington, on the other hand, is last in the division at 49-63.

First pitch for Monday's game between the Phillies and Nationals was scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. The matchup will be made up as part of a double-header Tuesday, which will start at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Right-hander Trevor Williams was set to start for the Nationals on Monday, and he will presumably still take the mound in game one Tuesday. Harper is hitting .312 with an .884 OPS against righties this season, compared to a .272 average and .776 OPS against lefties.

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