Harper Urges Phillies to Make Key Moves Before Trade Deadline

WHO:

theScore - Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies star

MLB.com - Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher

MLB.com - Jhoan Duran, Philadelphia Phillies closer

MLB.com - Don Mattingly, Phillies interim manager

MLB.com - Todd Zolecki, senior reporter

WHAT:

theScore - Harper stated, "I think everybody knows kind of what we need, right?" regarding the Phillies' needs before the August 3 trade deadline.

theScore - The Phillies are 5-21 in games not started by Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, or Aaron Nola.

theScore - The fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation hasn't won a game since May 18.

theScore - The Phillies are 16th in MLB in slugging percentage at .402 and have the second-lowest on-base percentage at .304.

theScore - Harper is batting .163 with three home runs, 13 RBIs, and a .632 OPS in his last 24 games.

theScore - The Phillies are currently 57-50 and rank second in the NL East, 5.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves.

MLB.com - Harper is hitting .157 (13-for-83) with two home runs, 11 RBIs, and a .581 OPS in his previous 23 games.

MLB.com - Wheeler allowed six hits, five runs, one walk, and two home runs in three innings during an 8-7 loss to the Miami Marlins.

MLB.com - Wheeler's ERA increased from 2.16 to 2.53 after the game.

MLB.com - The Phillies scored four runs in the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead but lost the game after Duran allowed three runs in the ninth.

WHERE:

theScore - loanDepot park, Miami

MLB.com - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WHEN:

theScore - The trade deadline is on August 3.

MLB.com - Wheeler's shortest start since April 17, 2022, occurred during the game against the Marlins.

WHY:

theScore - Harper expressed the need for the team to add players to improve their chances for the World Series.

MLB.com - Wheeler's performance raised concerns about his health, although he stated he felt physically fine.

HOW:

theScore - Harper indicated that the team has a good opportunity to acquire the players they need.

MLB.com - Wheeler's fastball averaged only 93.5 mph, which is down from his season average.

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies emphasized the team's need for improvements ahead of the August 3 trade deadline, stating, "I think everybody knows kind of what we need, right?" The Phillies are currently 57-50 and rank second in the NL East, but they have struggled recently, with Zack Wheeler allowing five runs in just three innings during an 8-7 loss to the Miami Marlins, raising concerns about his health. Harper's own performance has been lackluster, hitting just .157 over his last 23 games, as the team looks to bolster their roster for a stronger push toward the World Series.