That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies facing both friend and foe in Dodgers series

By George Stockburger

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his throw to first as he jumps over Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies watches his throw to first as he jumps over Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Phillies fans will see Chase Utley and Matt Kemp this week, both of whom have a long history with Philadelphia

No player in the history of baseball has or will ever get the type of reception Phillies fans gave Chase Utley when he bats in Philadelphia. The same can be for Matt Kemp, but just in a different fashion the way he’s dominated Philadelphia in his career.

Utley’s career with Philadelphia needs no lengthy dialog, he’s simply one of the best players to wear the uniform in the franchise’s 136 seasons. His 61.8 WAR is fourth-best in franchise history behind Mike Schmidt, Robin Roberts, and Steve Carlton.

Since being traded to his hometown Dodgers in 2015 for Darnell Sweeney and John Richy (both no longer with the organization), Utley has hit .239 in 342 games. Against his former team, Utley had 10 hits in 13 games, hitting .227 with three home runs.

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While Utley hasn’t hurt the Phillies at the plate since leaving, his teammate Matt Kemp has always been a thorn in Philadelphia’s side, whether he’s been a member of the Padres, Braves, or Dodgers.

In 73 games against Philadelphia Kemp is hitting .303 with 13 home runs and 86 hits. All that production didn’t just come in the early stages of his career either. Last year with the Braves Kemp hit a go-ahead home run off Zach Eflin in the seventh inning.

Kemp’s first three major league home runs came against Philadelphia in consecutive games as a member of the Dodgers, taking Gavin Floyd, Ryan Madson, and Clay Condrey deep.

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Coming into the series Kemp has a hit in 8 of his last 10 games and 15 total in that span of games.

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