Friday, July 26, 2019

Series Preview - Braves at Phillies: July 26th to July 28th

2019 Chachi Fan Favorites #13
2019 Chachi 1971 Topps Missing Links #9
Friday and Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Braves 60-43, 1st place in the N.L. East, 4 1/2 games ahead of the Nationals
Phillies 54-48, 3rd place in the N.L. East, 5 1/2 games behind the Braves

Braves Probables:  Mike Soroka (10-2, 2.46), Max Fried (10-4, 4.08), Kevin Gausman (3-5, 5.71)
Phillies Probables:  Jake Arrieta (8-7, 4.40), Zach Eflin (7-10, 4.25), Aaron Nola (8-2, 3.64)

At the Ballpark:  Christmas in July is the theme for Friday night's game.  On Saturday, players and coaches will stroll on the field for the annual pre-game photo night.  It's also 1970s Retro Night, and the Phillies will be wearing their infamous Saturday Special, all-burgundy uniforms worn only once back in 1979.  Finally on Sunday, all kids will receive a Bryce Harper replica jersey.

Braves Leaders
Average:  Freddie Freeman - .303
Runs:  Ronald Acuna, Jr. - 79
Home Runs:  Freddie Freeman - 25
RBIs:  Freddie Freeman - 79
Stolen Bases:  Ronald Acuna, Jr. - 22

Wins:  Max Fried and Mike Soroka - 10
ERA:  Julio Teheran - 3.42
Strikeouts:  Julio Teheran - 108
Saves:  Luke Jackson - 17

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .277
Runs:  J.T. Realmuto - 59
Home Runs:  Rhys Hoskins - 21
RBIs:  Bryce Harper - 70
Stolen Bases:  Scott Kingery and Jean Segura - 7

Wins:  Jake Arrieta and Aaron Nola - 8
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 3.64
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 145
Saves:  Hector Neris - 18

3 comments:

Jim from Downingtown said...

Skinner was an awful manager. Just awful.

Of course, the players weren't very good in 68 and 69, but I don't think old Bob got any other offers to manage, either.

wileybb said...

As a youngster, even I was aware that there was controversy behind the scenes that involved "Richie" Allen and management. Although most people sided with management in those days, there were some in the Press who slammed Skinner's actions in those disputes. Skinner was only in his 30s at the time. Maybe his tenure in Philly did harm his future prospects as a big league manager. Or maybe he just realized he wasnt cut out for the job.

Jim from Downingtown said...

Wileybb,

Skinner's managerial career started when he was "handed" the Phillies AAA job in 1967 without any previous experience (having played through the 1966 season). The Phillies demoted Frank Lucchesi (who skippered their AAA teams for the past few seasons) to double-A for '67 and '68 so Skinner could start on the top rung of the minor-league ladder. Why? Dunno, but look at some of the Phillies' other decisions during that era.

Skinner piloted the Phils' top farm team for 1 1/2 seasons, a team top-heavy with over-the-hill ex-major-leaguers, which had success possibly because those big-league veterans were competing against other teams filled with 20-to-22-year old prospects.