Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are set to share the spotlight in more ways than one this week.
The Phillies’ two top position players will both take part in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby on Monday, with both events staged at Citizens Bank Park in South Philadelphia. For Harper, it’s his ninth trip to the Midsummer Classic. For Schwarber, it’s his fourth.
Harper said he expects the two teammates to be separated in the bracket if they advance in the derby, and he sounded more amused than concerned about the possibility of a Phillies-on-Phillies final.
“Yeah, it should be fun. Obviously, two teammates doing it at the same time. I’d imagine we’re probably on separate sides of the bracket if I had to guess -- just in case we get [to the finals].
“But there’s a lot of really good guys that can hit homers.”
This will be the third Home Run Derby for both players. The last time Harper won the event, back in 2018, he beat Schwarber in the final round. Harper could become the fifth player ever to win the derby more than once.
Schwarber didn’t exactly shut the door on a rematch, either. He said the idea of finishing the night against Harper in Philadelphia would be a fun one.
“That would be fun,” said Schwarber. “I think it would be awesome. Especially in Philadelphia, where our fans obviously are going to get a chance to show what they’re capable of, and what we’ve seen for years and years of pure electricity.
“So, I think it would be a pretty cool ending there. That could happen, but hopefully we’ll see what happens.”
Schwarber, 33, enters the break leading the majors with 32 home runs and carrying a .927 OPS. Last season, he led the National League with 56 homers, and he’s continued to power up even as the years pile on.
Harper, also 33, has put together 20 home runs and 57 RBIs this season.
The Phillies head into the All-Star break on a high note after Sunday’s 5-0 win over the Detroit Tigers. They’re 54-43 and sit two games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East. After stumbling out of the gate at 9-19, they’ve clawed their way back into the race, and while the front office may still need to add a piece or two, the club has clearly positioned itself as a serious second-half contender.
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