Series Preview - Cardinals at Phillies: August 19th to August 21st

Friday and Saturday 7:05, Sunday 1:35
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Cardinals 64-56, 2nd place in the N.L. Central, 13 games behind the Cubs
Phillies 57-65, 4th place in the N.L. East, 15 games behind the Nationals

Cardinals Probables:  Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.72), Luke Weaver (0-0, 4.50, Mike Leake (8-9, 4.78)
Phillies Probables:  Adam Morgan (1-7, 6.62), Jeremy Hellickson (9-7, 3.65), Vince Velasquez (8-5, 4.14)

At the Ballpark:  On Saturday night, all fans will receive a nice looking mini Harry Kalas replica statute.  On Sunday afternoon, all kids will receive a ShopRite back-to-school set, including two Phillies folders, a spiral notebook, spiral memo pad, eraser, pencil pouch and four pencils.  Nicely done, Phillies.

Cardinals Leaders
Average:  Aledmys Diaz - .312
Runs:  Stephen Piscotty - 67
Home Runs:  Brandon Moss - 22
RBIs:  Stephen Piscotty - 67
Stolen Bases:  Jeremy Hazelbaker and Kolten Wong - 5

Wins:  Carlos Martinez - 11
ERA:  Carlos Martinez - 3.24
Strikeouts:  Carlos Martinez - 119
Saves:  Trevor Rosenthal - 14

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .294
Runs:  Odubel Herrera - 64
Home Runs:  Maikel Franco - 22
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 71
Stolen Bases:  Odubel Herrera - 19

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson - 9
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 3.65
Strikeouts:  Vince Velasquez - 130
Saves:  Jeanmar Gomez - 32

1970 Topps #220

1970 Topps #605

1970 Topps Appreciation:  Matching up the cards of Rick Wise and Steve Carlton is always a natural fit when looking for cards to feature before a Cardinals-Phillies series.  Back in 2013, I featured their 1973 cards and I had this to say:

Rick Wise and Steve Carlton were traded for each other in a straight-up pitcher for pitcher deal in February 1972.  Both pitchers received "Traded" cards within the 1972 Topps high series, but the 1973 Topps set contained their first proper base cards with their new teams.  Over the short-term and eventually over the long-term, it's safe to say the Phillies got the better end of the deal. 

Wise lasted two seasons in St. Louis, going a combined 32-28 in 70 games and making the All-Star team in 1973.  He enjoyed one of his best seasons as a member of the 1975 Red Sox when he went 19-12 and helped the Sox reach the World Series.  Lefty's first season in Philly marks perhaps one of the best single-season pitching performances in the game's history.  Pitching for a horrendous 1972 Phillies squad, Carlton went 27-10 with a 1.97 ERA and 310 strikeouts in 346 1/3 innings.  His 27 wins represented almost half of the team's 59 wins for the entire season.