WASHINGTON — In May of 2016, in a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs, right fielder Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals walked 13 times.
The Cubs went on to win the World Series while Harper tailed off the rest of the season, hitting .243 with 24 homers after batting .330 with 42 longballs in 2015.
Harper and Cubs manager Joe Maddon will be reunited Monday when Chicago begins a four-game series in Washington against the first-place Nationals. Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez (7-1, 2.96) will face Cubs right-hander Eddie Butler (3-2, 4.19).
“We have a tough series coming up here with the Cubs,” Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday, after his team lost 6-2 at home to the Cincinnati Reds.