Bryce Harper is off to a strong start. And ‘protecting himself’ has played a key role.

Bryce Harper’s focus coming into the season was to gain more control over the strike zone. Last year, batting mostly in the No. 3 spot in the Phillies’ order, he faced the lowest rate of strikes (42%) of any hitter in the sport. His natural urge was to chase after anything close, especially considering the lack of production behind him.

The Phillies didn’t fill the cleanup spot in the offseason.

But Harper has no control over that. So, interim manager Don Mattingly tells him the same thing he told Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. last season while coaching him in Toronto: You can be your own best lineup protection.

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