Series Preview - Red Sox at Phillies: June 14th to June 15th

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

Red Sox 36-28, 2nd Place in the A.L. East, 3 games behind the Yankees
Phillies 21-42, 5th Place in the N.L. East, 17 1/2 games behind the Nationals

Red Sox Probables:  Brian Johnson (2-0, 3.44), Chris Sale (8-2, 2.97)
Phillies Probables:  Jeremy Hellickson (5-4, 4.50), Nick Pivetta (1-3, 5.52)

At the Ballpark:  There aren't any give-aways scheduled for this quick two-game series with the Red Sox.  The Phillies really missed their chance by not having a Ruben Amaro, Jr. bobble head night.

Red Sox Leaders
Average:  Xander Bogaerts - .324
Runs:  Xander Bogaerts - 41
Home Runs:  Four tied with - 9
RBIs:  Andrew Benintendi - 38
Stolen Bases:  Mookie Betts - 11

Wins:  Chris Sale - 8
ERA:  Chris Sale - 2.97
Strikeouts:  Chris Sale - 126
Saves:  Craig Kimbrel - 18

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Aaron Altherr - .286
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 40
Home Runs:  Aaron Altherr and Tommy Joseph - 10
RBIs:  Aaron Altherr - 34
Stolen Bases:  Howie Kendrick - 7

Wins:  Jeremy Hellickson - 5
ERA:  Jeremy Hellickson - 4.50
Strikeouts:  Jerad Eickhoff - 63
Saves:  Hector Neris - 5

1982 Topps #256

1982 Topps #781

1982 Topps Appreciation:  I featured Perez's regular 1982 Topps card in the prior series preview post, and here's his true-to-its-word In Action card, flying helmet and all.

In the summer of 1982, one of the most sought after cards in my little baseball card collecting universe was this Pete Rose In Action card. His regular 1982 Topps card had the future hit king in fielding position at first base, but this In Action card was the card we wanted.  Wearing a baby blue road uniform (bring them back!),  Rose had just slapped a single and as he ran to first it was only a matter of time before his glorious bouncing hair knocked the helmet off his head.