Series Preview - Dodgers at Phillies: August 16th to August 18th

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:05
Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia, PA

Dodgers 65-52, 2nd place in the N.L. West, 1/2 game behind the Giants
Phillies 56-63, 4th place in the N.L. East, 15 games behind the Nationals

Dodgers Probables:  Kenta Maeda (11-7, 3.31), Scott Kazmir (9-6, 4.44), Bud Norris (3-2, 4.34)
Phillies Probables:  Vince Velasquez (8-4, 3.94), Jake Thompson (1-1, 8.68), Jared Eickhoff (8-12, 3.82)

At the Ballpark:  The big event with this series is the return of former Phillie (and a Phillies Room favorite) Chase Utley.  Utley will be entering the field from the visitor's dugout at Citizens Bank Park for the first time.

Tonight is also Beatles Night at the ballpark, and fans with a special theme ticket will receive a special Beatles fleece blanket (which will not be needed for this game).  The special night pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Beatles playing a concert at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on August 16, 1966.

There's a post-game concert on Thursday night featuring country singer Chase Rice.

Dodgers Leaders
Average:  Corey Seager - .309
Runs:  Corey Seager - 74
Home Runs:  Corey Seager and Justin Turner - 21
RBIs:  Justin Turner - 67
Stolen Bases:  Howie Kenrick - 8

Wins:  Clayton Kershaw and Kenta Maeda - 11
ERA:  Clayton Kershaw - 1.79
Strikeouts:  Clayton Kershaw - 145
Saves:  Kenley Jansen - 35

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Cesar Hernandez - .289
Runs:  Odubel Herrera - 64
Home Runs:  Maikel Franco - 21
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 69
Stolen Bases:  Odubel Herrera - 19

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson - 9
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 3.65
Strikeouts:  Aaron Nola - 121
Saves:  Jeanmar Gomez - 31

1970 Topps #446

1970 Topps Appreciation:  Billy Grabarkewitz enjoyed the best season of his seven-year career in 1970 with the Dodgers.  Selected to represent the Dodgers in the All-Star Game, Grabarkewitz finished the 1970 season with what would be career highs in average (.289), home runs (17) and RBIs (84).  He was never able to duplicate this success due to injuries, and the crowded Dodgers infield of the 1970s led to his being traded to the Angels (with Frank Robinson) following the 1972 season.

The Phillies acquired him in a trade with the Angels in August 1973, and his Phillies career spanned just 59 games over two seasons in which he hit .240 with three home runs.  The Phils sold Grabarkewitz to the Cubs in July 1974, but not before he'd appear on three baseball card related releases with the club - 1974 Topps, 1974 Topps Stamps and the 1974 Phillies Photocards set.

And I missed my chance to pay tribute to this original card with the 2016 Chachi card for Brett Oberholtzer.  I clearly should have listed the current Angels pitcher's name as "B. Oberholtzer" on the front of his card.