Philadelphia Phillies: The 3 most important players in the NLCS
By Tim Boyle
By the skin of their teeth, the Philadelphia Phillies made it into the playoffs. Many expected they’d maybe take a game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Instead, they swept them in two.
Against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, most people figured the same thing they did against the Cardinals—the Phillies would be a punching bag. Nope. Once again, the Phillies won close games and ones with a little more authority.
They’ve received contributions from a variety of players. In the NLCS against the San Diego Padres— a team that had similar expectations once they got to the postseason — it’s these three members of the Phillies roster who are most important.
1) The Philadelphia Phillies’ most important player in the NLCS: Bryce Harper
Well, duh! Is there anyone on the Phillies that will appear in every game and actually have the ability to carry the team as much as the reigning National League MVP? Because Bryce Harper wasn’t able to play nearly as much in this year’s regular season, he appears eager to help out a little bit more in the playoffs.
Most are already familiar with the “Harper-hatred” about how he had never won a postseason series coming into 2022. So far, he’s two for two with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he has been a huge contributor.
Harper heads into the NLCS 10 for 23 with three home runs. He’s doing exactly what the team needs him to do. In his first trip to the playoffs since joining the Phillies, he’s completely rewriting his reputation.
The Philadelphia Phillies are getting some huge and long hits from a variety of players in the playoffs. Harper is doing it more frequently than anyone. Continuing this rampage could be the biggest difference of all against San Diego.