Elite Play by Bryce Harper Has Helped Spark Phillies Run

The Philadelphia Phillies have been sparked by some great play of late from Bryce Harper.

Aug 15, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) celebrates after scoring during the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With September approaching, the Philadelphia Phillies have been playing some of their best baseball of the season at the right time. Fortunately, the performance of one of their star players has helped spark the run. 

Following their slow start out of the gate in the second half, the Phillies have won seven straight games entering Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals and have cut the lead in the National League East down to just four games. 

Philadelphia will certainly be trying to catch the Braves and take over the division, but making the playoffs is the primary goal. With the success of late, the Phillies have finally been getting things all together. 

At times this year, there have been moments when the team has been carried by either their pitching staff or their lineup. Unfortunately, both performing well at the same time has been few and far between. However, they have been clicking of late, and the Phillies once again look like one of the best teams in the NL. 

While it has certainly been a team effort, one player who has really been playing well is their star, Bryce Harper. With Harper having some of his best numbers of the year in August, it is no surprise to see the Phillies winning games. 

Harper Has Helped Spark Run 

Aug 13, 2026; Dyersville, Iowa, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) celebrates with first base coach Paco Figueroa (38) after getting a base hit against the Minnesota Twins at the Field of Dreams. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Following a terrible month of July, Harper has been a completely different player this month. In July, he slashed .172/.291/.333 with two home runs and 11 RBI. It was one of the worst months of his career with an OPS just over .600. 

With a need to improve at the trade deadline, the Phillies made the decision to acquire Luis Arraez, prompting some major switches defensively. With Arraez staying at second base, the Phillies moved Bryson Stott to third base and Alec Bohm to first. 

Harper showed a willingness to move back to the outfield if it made the team better, and the addition of Arraez certainly did that. Now, with him back in the outfield, he has also been amazing at the plate this month. 

So far in August, he has slashed 290/.500/.484 with three home runs and seven RBI. With an OPS of nearly 1.000, Harper is having the best month of the season so far. Furthermore, with an on-base percentage of .500, he is getting on base at a ridiculous clip right now. 

As expected with their star playing well, the Phillies have been winning a lot of games. Harper playing at an MVP level has made Philadelphia a much better squad.