‘Every Single Pitch, Everyone’s Staring’
The New York Times
As the Phillies make a late push for the playoffs, Bryce Harper is providing nightly reminders of his game-changing talent. It just might get him a second M.V.P. Award.
PHILADELPHIA — With the Philadelphia Phillies clinging to their playoff hopes and a one-run lead in the eighth inning on Wednesday night, the moment fell, of course, to the best player on the team, the one who had helped carry them this far.
When Pat Valaika of the Baltimore Orioles stroked a single onto the outfield grass and Pedro Severino rumbled toward home from second base, Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper scooped up the ball and fired a no-bounce throw to catcher J.T. Realmuto to cut down the potential game-tying run.
The fans in attendance at Citizens Bank Park chanted something that felt fitting for a superstar whose torrid second half has kept his team afloat and has perhaps thrust him near the top of the race for a certain end-of-year award he has won once before: “M.V.P.! M.V.P.!”
