Series Preview - Phillies at Cardinals: May 17th to May 20th

1978 Topps #340

1978 Topps #531

Thursday 7:15, Friday 8:15, Saturday and Sunday 2:15
Busch Stadium - St. Louis, MO

Phillies 24-16, 2nd place in the N.L. East, 1 game behind the Braves
Cardinals 23-17, 2nd place in the N.L. Central, 1 game behind the Brewers and Pirates

Phillies Probables:  Vince Velasquez (3-4, 5.05), Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.59), Zach Eflin (1-0, 0.71), Aaron Nola (6-1, 1.99)
Cardinals Probables:  Luke Weaver (3-2, 4.91), Michael Wacha (4-1, 3.09), John Gant (1-1, 4.15), Jack Flaherty (0-1, 2.87)

At the Ballpark:  The Cardinals traditionally do a fantastic job with their giveaways and promotions, and this series is no exception.  There are various theme nights requiring special ticket vouchers where fans will receive special jerseys.  Thursday is soccer night and Friday night is "Braggin' Rights Night" with fans choosing between an Illini or Mizzou jersey.

Also on Friday, the first 30,000 fans will receive a Bob Gibson pitching rubber as part of the team's 1968 National League Championship anniversary weekend.  The giveaway on Saturday is a replica 1968 N.L. Championship ring and all kids will receive a Cardinals glove on Sunday.

Phillies Leaders
Average:  Odubel Herrera - .357
Runs:  Cesar Hernandez - 29
Home Runs:  Maikel Franco and Carlos Santana - 7
RBIs:  Maikel Franco - 29
Stolen Bases:  Cesar Hernandez - 7

Wins:  Aaron Nola - 6
ERA:  Aaron Nola - 1.99
Strikeouts:  Nick Pivetta - 53
Saves:  Hector Neris - 8

Cardinals Leaders
Average:  Tommy Pham - .312
Runs:  Tommy Pham - 30
Home Runs:  Paul DeJong and Tommy Pham - 8
RBIs:  Jose Martinez - 23
Stolen Bases:  Tommy Pham - 7

Wins:  Miles Mikolas - 5
ERA:  Carlos Martinez - 1.62
Strikeouts:  Carlos Martinez - 47
Saves:  Bud Norris - 9

1978 Topps Appreciation:  On June 15, 1977, the Phillies acquired Bake McBride and Steve Waterbury from the Cardinals for Rick Bosetti, Dane Iorg and Tom Underwood.  Topps had enough time to get an actual photo of McBride in a Phillies uniform for its 1978 set, but had to resort to airbrushing Underwood into his new Cardinals uniform.  You can see Phillies players in their baby blue uniforms lingering in the background behind Underwood.