You would think that a team as strong and dynamically sound as the Philadelphia Phillies would have the answers, or the payroll, to handle everything. However, it seems since 2023 one glaring issue the Phillies have had is a secure trio to man the outfield. With Brandon Marsh's newfound confidence and success in left field, the front office adjusted its approach from seeking a corner outfielder to center field and found a perfect fit, both offensively and defensively, in Harrison Bader.
Bader's stat line with the Phillies has been impressive. But what has proven most valuable, which could directly tie into his positive clubhouse presence, is how clutch he has been with his teammates on base, specifically runners in scoring position — something the Phillies have struggled with in the postseason since 2023.
Harrison Bader's clutch hitting could be missing link for Phillies this postseason
Whether he's a starter or a substitute, Bader has proven to be a sparkplug, per MLB.com's Paul Casella. He is putting up phenomenal numbers while maintaining the "heart" at the core of each generation of his new franchise's postseason success. Since joining the Phillies, he's slashing .305/.380/.495, proving to be one of the most valuable hitters each time he's in the lineup.
As Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer noted recently, Bader's clutch stats this season have been impressive (subscription required). Entering Sunday with a season-long OPS of .803, he comes up even bigger in clutch situations when it matters most.
According to Baseball Reference, he has an .894 OPS with two outs and runners in scoring position. Even more impressive is Bader's .935 OPS in "late and close game" situations (defined as plate appearances with his team tied, ahead by one, or with the tying run on deck in the seventh inning or later, per Lochlahn).
Harrison Bader's first hit with the Phillies was a BIG one 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/LOp9MyqGb8
— MLB (@MLB) August 5, 2025
Despite most Phillies fans learning his name through his season with the New York Mets, hopefully, by now, the 31-year-old has begun to make the doubters change their tune. The veteran has provided the lineup with a larger general sense of security both in the field and at the plate. He has also given Phillies manager Rob Thomson some much-needed depth in the outfield, especially now that the team is coming to terms with Nick Castellanos' new role.
Phillies' postseason struggles in clutch moments are well-known
The Phillies' stars have been known to stall when the lights are brightest. Some of the latter half of the lineup have been known to come through in the most daunting of moments when Trea Turner or Bryce Harper can't produce the way they need to. After coming to Philadelphia at the trade deadline, the two-time Gold Glove winner has now started in 18 of the last 22 games, during which he has found his rhythm as he has risen higher in the batting order.
When breaking down how poorly the Phillies have done with runners in scoring position during postseason play, it's no wonder both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Mets were able to eliminate the Phillies.
In the 2023 NLCS against Arizona, the Phillies went 12-for-51 (.235) with runners in scoring position against Diamondbacks pitching. In the last five games specifically, they collectively went 5-for-34 (.147).
Last year in the NLDS against the Mets, it was clear that the autumn chill had frozen over the Phillies' bats, with their overall offensive production declining, thus their RISP average deteriorating as well.
Unlike the 2023 postseason run, there were fewer opportunities for Phillies batters to produce. Each game in the division series only saw around seven to nine scoring opportunities. In Game 1, they only went 2-for-8, while Games 2 and 3 saw them go 2-for-7 in each contest. Worst of all was their 0-for-9 in Game 4, for a series average of .194 with runners in scoring position.
Harrison Bader puts the @Phillies on top in the 8th 💪 pic.twitter.com/jfmPKfzmUp
— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2025
Bader once wrote an article for The Players' Tribune during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. It was a heartwarming read from the center fielder, who reflected on his successful time with the team that drafted him, where he was successful as part of a once-promising Cardinals team.
Reading his words makes you think immediately of what leaps and bounds the still championship-hungry outfielder will go to for this city, which has gotten to know him and already started to believe in him in the short amount of time he has played in Phillies pinstripes.