By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Behind right-hander Vince Velasquez, the Philadelphia Phillies (10-6) will play for their fourth straight series win — after dropping the first two series — in opposition of 13-year veteran RHP Brandon McCarthy and the Atlanta Braves (9-7) Wednesday evening at SunTrust Park.
Manager Gabe Kapler's squad improved to 3-0 in extra-inning play with a 5-1 win on Tuesday, splitting the series at one each. Respective RBI singles by Preston Tucker and Odubel Herrera in the first and third were the game's only offense through the first nine frames. The Phillies offense came alive in the 10th with a single, two stolen bases, two doubles, three walks. Both doubles, via Rhys Hoskins and Maikel Franco, brought home a pair of runs, securing the team's 10th victory in 16 games. The Phillies took three games longer to win 10 games last season. Starter Nick Pivetta allowed one run on five hits and no walks through five innings and 98 pitches (68 strikes). The bullpen combined to allow three hits and four walks on four strikeouts through five shutout relief innings.
The Phillies have won seven of their last eight games and nine of their last 11. Over this 11-game stretch, the Phillies are outscoring their opponents by a plus-43 run differential, 71-28. Their overall plus-24 run differential this season ranks as the fifth-best in the majors and the second-best in the National League, trailing only the Arizona Diamondbacks (plus-27).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (10-6) | Atlanta Braves (9-7) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Brandon McCarthy | ||
| (1-1, 3.52 ERA) | (2-0, 3.31 ERA) | ||||
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 25
- Career vs. ATL: 0-2, 3.77 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 28 2/3 IP, 33 H, 16 R, 12 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 28 SO, 1.430 WHIP
- Career at SunTrust Park: 0-1, 13.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 2 2/3 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 4 SO, 4.125 WHIP
The Phillies are 2-0 over Velasquez's last two starts (1.42 ERA) after dropping the previous three (9.35 ERA). Velasquez (15 1/3 innings) and Pivetta (21 2/3 innings) are just two of nine big league starting pitchers (five in the National League) yet to surrender a home run this season, minimum 15 innings pitched.
RHP Brandon McCarthy, Age: 34
- Career vs. PHI: 1-1, 2.84 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 25 1/3 IP, 28 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 25 SO, 1.303 WHIP
- Career at SunTrust Park: 1-0, 3.38 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO, 1.688 WHIP
McCarthy exited his last start a week ago against the Washington Nationals early — after throwing just 61 pitches in five innings — due to a partially dislocated left shoulder (subluxation).
Over his last nine starts, dating back to June 14 with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, McCarthy's team has won eight of the contests. Ironically, the only loss came in opposition of the Braves on July 20 last season at SunTrust Park. McCarthy defeated Velasquez and the Phillies in the Braves' 15-2 rout on March 31, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks through 5 1/3 frames.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (10-6) | Atlanta Braves (9-7) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L |
| 2 | LF | Scott Kingery | R | 2 | 2B | Ozzie Albies | S |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 5 | C | Kurt Suzuki | R |
| 6 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 6 | LF | Preston Tucker | L |
| 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 7 | SS | Dansby Swanson | R |
| 8 | P | Vince Velasquez | R | 8 | 3B | Ryan Flaherty | L |
| 9 | SS | J.P. Crawford | L | 9 | P | Brandon McCarthy | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:35 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies enter Wednesday's contest trailing the division-leading New York Mets by just two games. The Phillies are 5-1 at home and 5-5 on the road this season.
- Over his last 11 games (since April 5), Herrera is slashing .378/.429/.533 with eight runs scored, 12 singles, four doubles, one home run, four walks, five RBI and 10 strikeouts spanning 49 plate appearances. Over the last two weeks, Herrera's batting average ranks as the eighth-best in the majors and the third-best in the National League, trailing only Matt Kemp (.414) and Corey Dickerson (.396).
- The Phillies will not return to SunTrust Park until a four-game set on Sept. 20-23. The club is 2-3 at the venue so far this season and is 15-9 against the Braves overall since the start of 2017.
- First baseman Carlos Santana has the most career at-bats among Phillies players against McCarthy entering Wednesday's finale, going 4-15 with a double, home run, three walks and two RBI against the right-hander. Despite this, Santana will sit for the first time this season on Wednesday. Hoskins will start at first in his place. Scott Kingery doubled twice against McCarthy on March 31, while Velasquez successfully laid down a sacrifice bunt groundout — advancing two runners into scoring position — against McCarthy during the same game.
A Phillies win tonight would put them at 11-6 through 17 games and be the best 17-game start for the franchise since 2011.
— Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports) April 18, 2018
Jesse Biddle will be in the pen tonight to replace Jose Ramirez, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 18, 2018
What's Next:
- Thursday, April 19, 2018: vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Jameson Taillon (2-0, 0.89 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (1-0, 3.38 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
