What to watch as Bryce Harper returns as Phillies make up postponed game

A game between the Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds was set to played on June 2nd, but was postponed due to rain.

That game is being made up Monday night in Cincinnati with Phillies regaining an All Star finalist.

Here’s what to watch:

Harper returns, named All Star finalist

Harper (calf) will be starting Monday’s game against the Reds.

Harper was not in Sunday’s lineup after his left leg was hit by a Jacob deGrom changeup in Saturday’s 4-3 loss. Harper stayed in the game but removed himself when he felt something going out to his position the next half-inning.

Sunday’s game was the 20th that Harper has missed this season because of a back injury, a shoulder issue, a wrist injury caused by a ricochet when he was hit in the face by a pitch in St. Louis at the end of April, and this.

At the plate, Harper has performed similarly to his first two seasons with the Phillies. In the first two, he hit .262/.385/.518. This season, he’s hit .272/.385/.492. All 11 of his home runs have been solo shots.

In other news, Harper was the only Phillie to mover on to the final round of All-Star voting, which began Monday at noon. The top three vote-getters at each of the the five infield positions including catcher advanced to the next round while the top nine outfielders moved on. Harper finished seventh among National League outfielders. The final round of voting closes Thursday at noon and the top three will start for the NL on July 13 in Denver.

Harper is unlikely to make the final three as he ranks 10th among NL outfielder with 10 homers, 11th in OPS (.878), and 11th in batting average with a .272 mark.

The starters will be announced Thursday night and the pitchers and reserves will be announced Sunday. Harper was last an All-Star in 2018.

Howard starts

A top Phillies prospect, right-hander Spencer Howard (0-2, 5.59), will make his fifth start and ninth appearance of the year for Philadelphia. He has never faced the Reds.

Howard has not been great for the Phils, to say the least. He’s lost velocity and accuracy consistently in around the third inning.

Starting lineups

Here are the starting lineups for Monday night’s game.

For the Phillies:

1. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
2. Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) LF
4. Bryce Harper (L) RF
5. Alec Bohm (R) 3B
6. Luke Williams (R) 2B
7. Ronald Torreyes (R) SS
8. Andrew Knapp (S) C
9. Spencer Howard (R) P

For the Reds:

1. Jonathan India (R) 2B
2. Jesse Winker (L) LF
3. Nick Castellanos (R) RF
4. Joey Votto (L) 1B
5. Shogo Akiyama (L) CF
6. Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
7. Tucker Barnhart (L) C
8. Mike Freeman (L) SS
9. Wade Miley (L) P

Essentials

• When: 6:40 P.M. E.S.T.
• Where: Great American Ball Park
• Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia
• Radio: 94.1 WIP
• Social media coverage: Philly Sports Reports’ Twitter & Instagram.