By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
PHILADELPHIA — Having lost seven consecutive games, the Philadelphia Phillies (26-28) will send one of their most effective pitchers this season to the mound — right-hander Vince Velasquez — in the second of a four-game set against right-hander Jimmy Nelson and the Milwaukee Brewers (25-29) Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
Velasquez has struggled in his recent outings, however. The Montclair, California, native started the season with a 1.44 ERA and 0.894 WHIP ratio over his first five starts, however in his five starts since, he has posted a 6.31 ERA and 1.675 WHIP. He is 3-1 with a 0.74 ERA and 6.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio home at Citizens Bank Park this season.
The Phillies have lost a franchise record-high eight consecutive games to the Brewers at home. Yet, they are still 11 games over .500 all-time against them at Citizens Bank Park, 36-25 (.590).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Milwaukee Brewers (25-29) | Philadelphia Phillies (26-28) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jimmy Nelson | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (5-3, 2.88 ERA) | (5-2, 3.63 ERA) | ||||
Jimmy Nelson — Age: 26;
- Last Start: May 29, 2016, vs. CIN: W, 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, HR
- Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 2 G, 11.2 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO, HR, 4.63 ERA
Vince Velasquez — Age: 23;
- Last Start: May 29, 2016, at CHC: L, 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 2 HR
- Career vs. MIL: N/A
Starting Lineups:
| Milwaukee Brewers (25-29) | Philadelphia Phillies (26-28) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | SS | Jonathan Villar | S | 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 2 | 2B | Scooter Gennett | L | 2 | SS | Andres Blanco | S |
| 3 | LF | Ryan Braun | R | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | C | Jonathan Lucroy | R | 4 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 5 | 1B | Chris Carter | R | 5 | RF | Jimmy Paredes | S |
| 6 | CF | Kirk Nieuwenhuis | L | 6 | LF | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | 3B | Aaron Hill | R | 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 8 | RF | Domingo Santana | R | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 9 | P | Jimmy Nelson | R | 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | S |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBC10
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Since June 4, 2015, the Phillies are 11-30 (.268) over their last 41 games against National League Central division opponents.
- During the Phillies' eight-game skid against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park — which dates back to April 8, 2014 — they have been outscored and outhit 57-30 and 110-72, respectively.
- Active members of the Phillies are .233/.343/.400 lifetime against Nelson with four extra-base hits over 36 plate appearances. The only Brewer to have faced Velasquez in the past is third baseman Aaron Hill, who is 1-2 with a strikeout (Aug. 1, 2015) and double (Oct. 2, 2015) against the right-hander.
Standings:
(entering 6/3/16)
What's Next:
- Saturday, June 4, 2016: vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 3:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Junior Guerra vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
