Tuesday night marked the beginning of the Philadelphia Phillies' latest series with the rival Atlanta Braves, and things started off well as Rob Thomson's club picked up a 2-0 win at Citizens Bank Park. Although fans are raving about the shutout performance, the Phillies didn't exit the series opener unscathed.
Philadelphia first baseman Bryce Harper was forced to leave the game after his elbow was struck by Braves starter Spencer Strider's fastball in the first inning. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Noah Levick reported after the victory that Harper's X-ray results came back negative; however, it's unknown how much time (if any) the two-time National League MVP will miss.
With how heated the Phillies-Braves rivalry could be, no one would be surprised if Strider didn't feel bad for hitting Harper with his pitch. That's why some fans might be surprised to learn Atlanta's ace already regrets Tuesday night's incident.
Phillies News: Braves' Spencer Strider Regrets Hitting Bryce Harper With Pitch
Despite the Braves' clubhouse's energy likely being down after losing to the Phillies, Strider made sure to take some time to make it clear he wasn't happy to see Harper exit in pain.
"I’m not a complete sociopath, so I have some empathy," Strider said, per AP News' Dan Gelston. "I do feel bad for him, to see a person in pain that I caused. Certainly not trying to hit him."
Strider's empathy toward Harper likely stems from mutual respect built throughout the last half-decade. The star duo have faced each other in 16 at-bats across eight games since Strider was drafted by the Braves in 2020, and he's gotten the best of the Phillies slugger during that stretch, holding Harper to three hits, one homer, a trio of RBIs, and a pair of walks.
Despite all those encounters, Tuesday night was the first time the Atlanta hurler had hit Harper, and all Strider wants is for the Phillies star to make a quick recovery.
"I’m definitely relieved he’s OK. He’s one of the best players this century," Strider added. "He needs to be on the field. It’s best for the game. It’s good for us, good to compete against him."
Strider is correct: Harper is one of the best MLB players of the last decade-plus, and the sport is always better when he's healthy and active. The eight-time MLB All-Star sat at a .267/.375/.450 slash line with eight home runs, 33 RBIs, 33 walks, and a 1.6 WAR upon Tuesday's exit, leaving time to tell if he can pick up where he left off whenever he returns.
Even if Harper's immediate outlook isn't clear, the Phillies can still rest easy knowing they're the -154 moneyline favorites to beat the Braves on Wednesday night, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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