Categories: Phillies Nuggets with Tim Kelly

NLDS Game 1 was another classic postseason performance by Phillies’ Bryce Harper

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 07: Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) celebrates after a sixth inning home run during game 1 of the NLDS between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves on October 7, 2023, at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)

ATLANTA — The organist at Truist Park played the Wicked Witch of The West’s theme song as Bryce Harper walked to the plate with one out in the top of the sixth inning. Atlanta Braves fans booed the Philadelphia Phillies star in unison.

And then, Harper proceeded to hit the first pitch he saw from Atlanta’s Spencer Strider into the right field seats, a 115.3 mph screamer that traveled 375 feet and increased the Phillies’ lead to 2-0. Strider — one of the sport’s elite pitchers — hadn’t previously given up a ball in play hit at more than 111.8 mph, according to MLB.com‘s Todd Zolecki.

“Strider, man, he’s one of the best in the game, if not the best right now, striking guys out, and he had a phenomenal year,” Harper said after the game. “So it’s always a tough at-bat. You know he’s going to come at you and throw his best at you. So just trying to get a pitch over and was able to get the slider up and do some damage.”

Before the night was out, a game-saving double play started on a diving stop by Trea Turner became the story of the game. Rob Thomson’s bullpen management — a high-wire act, some might say — was also a major talking point, as the Phillies stole Game 1 of the NLDS with a 3-0 victory.

But make no mistake, the best player in Game 1 — a contest that likely NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. participated in — was Harper. He went 2-for-2 with a home run and two walks.

Set to turn 31 later this month, Harper has erased any postseason shortcomings he may have had during his seven seasons with the Washington Nationals over the last two Octobers. In 20 postseason games with the Phillies, Harper is hitting .352 with 10 walks, seven home runs and 14 RBIs. It’s staggering production on the biggest stage.

Saturday night’s home run won’t be replayed as many times as “Bedlam at the Bank” has. But you can add it to a growing list of clutch home runs Harper has hit for the Phillies in the postseason — along with Game 2 of the 2022 NLWCS and Game 1 of the 2022 NLCS. Frankly, it’s getting hard to keep track of all the major moments Harper has been involved with since the start of the 2022 postseason.

“This is his time of year. This is where he kind of shines,” Thomson said of Harper. “He’s not going to do it every game, but he’s come up with some big games for us and made a nice play there in the ninth inning as well at first base. So he doesn’t get overwhelmed by the situation. That’s for sure.”