Bryce Harper returns to familiar No. 3 spot in Phillies’ batting order vs. Rockies

Bryce Harper's move into the No. 2 spot in the Phillies' batting order lasted for all of one game.

Harper was back in his usual No. 3 hole on Friday night for the opener of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies. He went 1-for-4 with one strikeout in Thursday's 11-3 loss to the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park.

But bumping Harper back down had nothing to do with performance. Quite simply, manager Gabe Kapler didn't like the idea of having three right-handed hitters -- Jean Segura, Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto -- batting back-to-back-to-back in No. 3-5 spots. By splitting them up with lefty-swinging Harper, the Phillies might make things more complicated for an opposing manager.

“I didn’t love the look of Segura, Hos, JT, and an opposing strategy being, ‘I’m going to get my best reliever for that moment of the game,’” Kapler said. “I know Harper is comfortable in the position in the lineup he is in today. I know Segura is comfortable in the two-hole. So, it felt that it was the right strategy decision here.”

It's worth noting that Hoskins and Realmuto have reverse splits -- better numbers against right-handed pitchers than lefties. Kapler acknowledged that fact but believes managers are still inclined to go with traditional matchups against the middle of the Phillies' order.

“It doesn’t make it any more difficult for the opposing manager anyhow, because are they going to say, ‘Would I rather have an inferior lefty or a superior righty?’ ” Kapler said. “And most clubs have a guy at the back of their bullpen, or a few guys, who can go through right-handed hitters, even right-handed hitters with reverse splits.”