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MLB: Who will be the biggest x-factors in the playoff chase?

By Ed Carroll

Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago White Sox defeat the Detroit Tigers 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a single against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Chicago White Sox defeat the Detroit Tigers 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) dives into third base in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) dives into third base in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

Bryce Harper is a superstar, has been in the big leagues since before he could legally drink, and is a once-in-a-generation type player. He’s also having the worst season of his short career (which is still pretty decent), hampered by injuries and some minor clashes with Nationals Manager Matt Williams.

Williams isn’t doing Harper many favors, but luckily for Nats fans Harper is still capable of making a huge impact down the stretch. Limited to only 79 games so far this year, Harper has been above-average offensively (116 wRC+), but not the level of excellence we had been used to seeing from the young outfielder (career high is 137 wRC+ last season).

The Nationals are seven games up on Atlanta, and still firmly in control of the NL East. But Washington needs Harper to play like he’s capable of – the type of player who can win a game almost by himself. Harper is that good, but one glaring area he’s been sub par in this year has been speed categories (one stolen base this year, 18 last season). Some of this is likely due to a thumb injury suffered during a headfirst slide in April (which required surgery, and is the main reason Harper missed so much time). But he’s been back more than a full month now, and Washington would certainly feel it’s better late than never to see the real Harper.

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