The Strike Zone Podcast: Harper's hot streak, struggling Red Sox, more

In the latest edition of The Strike Zone Podcast, Jay Jaffe joins Ted Keith and Stephen Cannella to talk about Bryce Harper's hot streak, the struggling Red Sox, and more.

Has Bryce Harper's long-awaited breakout finally begun? The slugging rightfielder is hitting everything in sight for the Nationals, as the 22-year-old is leading the majors in on-base percentage (.449), slugging percentage (.724), home runs (18), walks (44) and OPS+ (221). Harper has emerged as the runaway favorite for the National League MVP award, but what's fueling his sudden explosion, and can he keep it up?

SI.com MLB writer Jay Jaffe joins Ted Keith and Stephen Cannella on the podcast to talk about Harper's year to date and whether the phenom can turn this hot start into an award-winning season. They'll also try to figure out what's eating at the slumping David Ortiz and the struggling Red Sox, and if there's actually anything wrong with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.

You can listen to the latest edition of The Strike Zone below, or you can download the episode on iTunes.

• JAFFE: What's next for Bryce Harper after sizzling month of May?