By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CHICAGO — Having dropped three consecutive series and six of their last eight games overall, the Philadelphia Phillies (26-23) will look to salvage the series finale as they send right-hander Vince Velasquez to face veteran RHP John Lackey and the MLB-best Chicago Cubs (33-14) Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
According to the Bill James-developed game score, Velasquez is coming off of the worst start of his career, having allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks over four innings Monday against the Detroit Tigers. He will be facing the Cubs for the first time Sunday, while in search of a rebound effort.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (26-23) | Chicago Cubs (33-14) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | John Lackey | ||
| (5-1, 2.75 ERA) | (4-2, 3.38 ERA) | ||||
Vince Velasquez — Age: 23;
- Last Start: May 23, 2016, at DET: ND, 4.0 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 3 HR
- Career vs. CHC: N/A
Velasquez is undefeated in five starts on the road this season despite posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.464 WHIP ratio.
John Lackey — Age: 37;
- Last Start: May 23, 2016, at STL: ND, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 9 SO, HR
- Career vs. PHI: (3-4), 7 G, 46.0 IP, 45 H, 16 R, 16 ER, 14 BB, 28 SO, 7 HR, 3.13 ERA
Lackey has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts this season. In five starts during the month of May, he is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.750 WHIP ratio.
The 14-year veteran signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Cubs on Dec. 8, 2015, after the team failed to sign top free agent starters such as southpaw David Price (Red Sox) and right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (Tigers).
Lackey last faced the Phillies on June 20 of last season, tossing seven innings of one-run baseball as the Cardinals went on to win in convincing fashion, 10-1.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (26-23) | Chicago Cubs (33-14) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | CF | Dexter Fowler | S |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | Jason Heyward | L |
| 3 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S | 3 | 3B | Kris Bryant | R |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L |
| 5 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 5 | 2B | Ben Zobrist | S |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | C | Miguel Montero | L |
| 7 | LF | Tyler Goeddel | R | 7 | SS | Addison Russell | R |
| 8 | P | Vince Velasquez | S | 8 | LF | Matt Szczur | R |
| 9 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 9 | P | John Lackey | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 2:20 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- While first baseman Ryan Howard has struck out nine times in 17 career plate appearances against Lackey, he has homered twice — both of which were game-tying solo shots on May 21, 2010, and May 29, 2013, at Citizens Bank Park. Howard is out of today's lineup as Tommy Joseph earns his ninth career start at first.
- Over his past six games, Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera is batting .391/.481/.609 with six singles, two doubles, one home run, three walks and four runs-batted-in over 27 plate appearances. Among batters this season, Herrera currently ranks eighth in the National League and 13th overall in Major League Baseball in WAR — 2.3 — tied with Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano.
- The Phillies will look to avoid being swept for the second time this season out of 16 series played overall. Last season, they were not swept for the second time until May 25-27 against the New York Mets in what was their 15th series overall.
What's Next:
- Monday, May 30, 2016: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Tanner Roark (3-4, 2.71 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.97 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
