Having the National League MVP in the lineup can paper over a lot of a team’s issues. When Bryce Harper is present and accounted for, there is that big threat in the middle of the lineup that opponents must be careful with. We’ve seen time and again how pitchers will act carefully when he is at the plate, preferring at time to face someone else rather than Harper’s ability to put a baseball deep into the night.
Harper is not in the lineup anymore and will not be for at least six weeks, longer if you’re of the pessimistic view of his injury.