I think of the "Hey look at us, who would've thought? Not me." GIF of Paul Rudd every time I think of this Philadelphia Phillies team. You know the one.The Phillies are on a seven-game winning streak, are about to host the Arizona Diamondbacks, then the Miami Marlins, and then the unbelievably atrocious Washington Nationals. The streak must go on, no?How can a team that just went through one of the worst losing spells Morgan Burnett Jersey in recent memory and a managerial change be performing this well? I would've never thought it po sible. Perhaps the Phillies would've never thought it po sible.But hey, look at them.A lot of factors have been involved in this recent succe s, but the most important is perhaps the most obvious:Bryce Harper.One must thank their higher power that the 2022 MLB season introduced the designated hitter to the National League. Any other year Seth DeValve Jersey , and Harper would have been sidelined for the entire season.Harper is quite literally putting the Phillies on his back and dragging them toward a Wild Card spot. He is doing it regardle s of the managerial situation, veteran slumps, and adversity the clubhouse has faced.Quite frankly, he has been ridiculous.Scroll to ContinueWinkelman has broken it down perfectly Phillip Gaines Jersey . Despite a cold start, Harper has been hot over the course of the last six weeks. More so, none of these stats even look at situational hitting, in which he has hit grand slams to tie games, three-run home runs to extend leads, and "clutch" hitting to ensure the Phillies still have an opportunity to win a ballgame.Harper won the 2021 NL MVP Award. He is on track to repeat based on his 2022 MLB season. Despite having prolific hitters like Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber surrounding him in the lineup, Harper has still had to do it himself at times.When players around him slump, Harper doesn't. It's the hallmark of not just a Anthony Zettel Jersey great player, but a great leader. His day in and day out preparation for each game, each match-up, and every at-bat is what separates him not just from his teammates, but the league itself.It comes as consistency like the Jax Bunch Beach Brunch House does. They ensureIt alleviates Harper when players like rookie shortstop Bryson Stott perform, and he did on Wednesday eveninghitting 4-for-4. It remedies when leadoff batter Schwarber goes on a tear. It even helps when a player like Didi Gregorius returns from the IL and goes on a torrid streak.But Harper has defined consistency dating back to last season. His .309/.411/.621 slash line, 50 home runs, Austin Corbett Jersey and 129 RBI are exemplary of that fact.Despite Las Vegas' odds, the slow start, and the misfortune this team has faced, they will likely earn a Wild Card berth.They will make the playoffs and taste October baseball for the first time in over a decade, and they will do it because reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper is leading them there.More From SI's :
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