You know teams are going to do it. Intentionally walking Bryce Harper is a strategy many teams employ simply because of the expectations that he’ll deliver in the clutch. His ability to do this has made him the obvious choice to be “Bondsed”, a term I am officially coining. If the game is in the balance, walk Harper and let the next guy try to beat you.
J.T. Realmuto beat them.
It was only the third inning, the Phillies leading 1-0, when Trea Turner hit a two-out double to bring up Harper. Jake Irvin, the Nationals pitcher, followed orders from the dugout to walk Harper to get to Realmuto, which is an odd choice.