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Chase Utley plays his first game back in Philadelphia since he was traded away one year ago this week, as the Dodgers open a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
Utley played all three games against his former team last week at Dodger Stadium — the first time he ever faced them in his career — and went 3-for-13 (.231) with a home run and a walk. But now he returns to a city were he was a beloved star for over a decade.
The Dodgers acquired the second baseman on Aug. 19, 2015.
This marks the second time in as many seasons that the Dodgers’ trip to Philadelphia included bringing a favorite son back home, with shortstop Jimmy Rollins making his return in 2015.
Utley ranks in the top 10 of several Phillies offensive categories — fifth in doubles (346), sixth in home runs (233) and runs scored (949), seventh in RBI (916), eighth in games (1,551), ninth in hits (1,632), and 10th in walks (625) — which is especially impressive since the franchise has been in the National League since 1883.
His 61.5 Wins Above Replacement (Baseball-Reference version) ranks second among Phillies position players, trailing only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (106.5).
Utley’s six All-Star appearances are fourth in franchise history, trailing only Schmidt (12), Robin Roberts (seven) and Steve Carlton (seven), all three Hall of Famers.
Utley debuted in 2003, the year before Citizens Bank Park opened, and in his career at the stadium is hitting .293/.375/.505 with 127 home runs. At CBP Utley ranks second to Rollins in hits, doubles and runs scored, and second to Ryan Howard in home runs and RBI.
He’s also hitting just .216/.258/.386 in 23 games since the All-Star break, though he does have three multi-hit games in his last five starts.
The Phillies enter Tuesday on a four-game winning streak, building on their win last Wednesday in Los Angeles with a weekend sweep of the Rockies at home.
The Dodgers have won each of their last four series at Citizens Bank Park, dating back to 2012, winning 10 of 13 games in Philadelphia during that span.
Game info
Time: 4:05 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA