The Phillies opened up their season with a bang thanks to a 10-4 win over the Braves. What can we take away from the exciting win?
The Phillies came away with a big win over the Braves on Opening Day. What did we learn from the first of hopefully many wins this season?
Excitement for Bryce Harper only lasts so long
Since Bryce Harper signed with the Phillies, the fans have been gnawing at the bit to see him play on Opening Day. His spring training debut was the most-watched spring game for the team since 2012. Tickets for the season opener doubled in price within an hour of the reported signing.
When Harper was first introduced in the starting lineup, he received quite the welcome from the crowd:
https://twitter.com/JClarkNBCS/status/1111340500861284353
Then when Harper made his way out to right field, he got another ovation from the fans in the stands:
LET'S GO! pic.twitter.com/iyBTxPxb8u
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 28, 2019
When Harper came up to bat for the first time, he got yet another ovation from the fans. Even when he grounded out to first base in that at-bat, he still received cheers on his way back to the dugout.
Bryce Harper stepping to the plate for the first time as a #Phillies player pic.twitter.com/dJP5NcpPPZ
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 28, 2019
However, that warm feeling didn’t last for too long. After Harper struck out with no outs with Jean Segura standing on third base in the fourth and struck out again in the fifth, boos could be heard coming down from the seats.
Harper made it 5 innings into the Phillies' season before hearing his first boos at CBP, which come after he strikes out for the second time.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 28, 2019
It’s not all that surprising to see this happen to Harper. With all the fans that packed Citizens Bank Park for the game, some were bound to be looking for the chance to boo Harper. It likely won’t be the last time Harper strikes out with a runner in scoring position, so the boos will keep on coming.
The hope is that Harper will produce more often than not in those scenarios. As nearly the entire crowd showed when the game first started, the majority of the fanbase is behind Harper and wants him to succeed. He will get plenty of other chances to show why he earned his big-money contract.
Harper ended his day 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He picked up an outfield assist in the second inning, already topping his season total from last year.