A Familiar Face Could Be Facing the Dodgers This Week And It's Not Trea Turner
Sometimes no matter how hard you try to escape certain people, they find a way to pop up and surprise you. The Dodgers will look to keep their winning streak alive this week as they welcome the NL champion Phillies for three games at Dodger Stadium. It will be Trea Turner's first trip back to LA since signing a $300 million mega deal with Philadelphia this past offseason. But, he's not the guy we're talking about...
The Fightin' Phils could be getting Bryce Harper back during this series. Because of course.
Phillies insider Corey Seidman was the first to report the news.
Getting the two-time National League MVP back in the lineup would be a massive boost for the third place Phillies. The club has struggled on both sides of the baseball after a splashy offseason that saw them sign Turner and Taijuan Walker, among others.
One of the bigger issues, however, is the middle-of-the-pack Philly offense that is currently missing not only Harper but also All-Star first baseman Rhys Hoskins who suffered a torn ACL days before the start of the season.
Harper will return as a designated hitter for the Phillies just five months after November Tommy John surgery. He also has been working out at first base with Hoskins out for the season and could end up taking over there after he's cleared to throw regularly.
Entering his 12th season at the big league level, Harper has always performed well against the Dodgers since making his MLB debut at Dodger Stadium as a 19-year-old. In 50 career games vs LA, the 30-year-old has hit 21 extra base hits against Dodger pitching and has a lifetime OPS of .840.
If he's back in the lineup for the Phillies on Tuesday, the boo birds will surely rain down on him at Chavez Ravine.
Speaking of boos, Craig Kimbrel will also be back at Dodger Stadium this week.
