The Philadelphia sports fan is starving during this time. Well, it is a good thing that the Philadelphia Phillies are currently competing for playoff position in the National League. All of that sounds great until I tell you the obviously heartbreaking news of Bryce Harper being out of the lineup until the projected time of mid-August. 

Harper’s injury occurred on a Blake Snell 97 mph fastball that just got away and it crushed his left thumb. Harper has a left thumb fracture and it is a tremendous blow to lose your best player while competing for a playoff spot. That is exactly why this injury will show the resolve of this season’s Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Phillies are losing a lot in two departments, that is at the plate and in the clubhouse. Harper was having one of his best seasons in the MLB this year. As the MVP from the previous season that is certainly another unexpected occurrence. Of course, the expectation is that he plays like Bryce Harper but the fact that he was on pace to outdo his previous season is just incredible. 

In his 64 games played Harper has slashed .318/.385/.599, has 77 hits, 49 runs scored, 21 doubles, 15 home runs, 48 RBI, 26 walks, nine steals, 145 total bases, and 2.6 wins above replacement. The next highest wins above replacement for a Phillie is Rhys Hoskins measuring up to 2.2 wins above replacement. Further down the roster doesn’t add up to much as only three players (JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Jean Segura)  have accumulated more than 1 win above replacement.

The numbers are irreplaceable from one player on this team. Losing Harper is such a blow to the team’s offensive production. Per Jayson Stark’s tweet, the Phillies are a much better offense with Harper in the past two seasons. 

Rob Thomson and the rest of the Phillies will feel the absence of Bryce Harper on the field and in the clubhouse. The man that has committed to the Phillies organization, the city, and a few iterations of the Phillies since he’s got here now is out for an extended period of time right in the smack dab middle of summer. Harper is the bonafide leader, engine, and heartbeat of the Phillies. You can tell by his quote here in this article that he understands the ripple effect of his injury. 

The way he plays, approaches his at-bats, and celebrates his teammates are all vital to the club reaching the desired postseason. Harper is a gamer. Always has been. He has ruffled feathers in the past with his intensity and competitiveness but in all honesty, his type of personality is a good problem because he cares “too much” about winning baseball games. 

The challenge lies herein in the belly of the beast of the season. A make or break time for most hopeful clubs around the MLB. So far the Phillies have stepped up to the challenge, per this John Stolnis tweet providing the evidence. 

Luckily the Phillies have a leader in Bryce Harper who I can imagine will be encouraging his teammates throughout and the schedule the Phillies have until about August 18th, in between the 6-8 week timeframe of Harper’s injury. The Phillies play five playoff-contending teams in the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, and New York Mets. On the flip side, the Phillies also draw the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds in that time span. 

All the Phillies have to do is steady the ship awaiting the dramatic save from its captain. Captain Harp if you will. That’s quite the picture painted. If the Phillies do that, then we’ll know that this team is up to the difficulty that this setback brings.