John Lackey, Vince Velasquez face off in rubber match

By: Matt Rappa, managing editor

PHILADELPHIA — Behind right-hander Vince Velasquez, the Philadelphia Phillies (29-30) will oppose 14-year veteran RHP John Lackey and the MLB-best Chicago Cubs (40-17) in the series finale Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

The matinee will conclude a 10-game homestand for the Phillies, who have lost six of nine while being outscored 38-31 by their opponents. The Phillies and Cubs have split the first two games of the series, setting up the rubber match.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

John Lackey — Age: 37;

• Last Start: June 3, 2016, vs. ARI: W, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (4-4), 8 G, 53.0 IP, 49 H, 17 R, 17 ER, 18 BB, 34 SO, 8 HR, 2.89 ERA

Lackey has allowed just one earned run or fewer in four of his past five starts.

Over the last 30 days, Lackey ranks fifth among major league starters in left on base percentage, .933, according to FanGraphs. His 1.56 ERA over the same stretch is the sixth-best among MLB starters, trailing Jose Fernandez (0.66), Clayton Kershaw (0.68), Madison Bumgarner (0.73), Johnny Cueto (0.97) and Noah Syndergaard (1.15).

Vince Velasquez — Age: 24;

• Last Start: June 3, 2016, vs. MIL: ND, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO
• Career vs. CHC: (0-1), 1 G, 4.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 2 HR, 13.50 ERA

Velasquez has not thrown a quality start since May 1 in a 2-1 home victory against the Cleveland Indians. In his six starts since, he is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA with opposing batters hitting .317/.376/.525.

The right-hander has thrown three consecutive starts without lasting at least five innings. He has only pitched more than six innings once this season over 11 starts — his three-hit, 16-strikeout shutout performance against the San Diego Padres on April 14.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN, MLBN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Velasquez is one day removed from his 24th birthday on Tuesday. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola's most recent start on June 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers was also one day after his 23rd birthday, where he tossed six shutout innings with nine strikeouts.
• Left fielder Albert Almora earns his first MLB start in replacement of the injured Jorge Soler (left hamstring strain). Soler was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday after exiting Monday's series opener early.
• Over his past five games (20 plate appearances), Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph is batting .450/.450/.800 with three runs scored, six singles, one double, two home runs and three runs-batted-in. The rookie will sit for the second time this series in favor of Ryan Howard, who is batting .153/.217/.353 this season.
• Active members of the Cubs are batting .409/.458/.682 lifetime against Velasquez with two walks, two home runs and seven runs-batted-in. Howard has two home runs in 17 career plate appearances against Lackey, however he has struck out in more than half of those appearances, 9.

• Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez is tied with Pirates' right-hander Mark Melancon for the MLB lead in saves, 19. Over his last 10 appearances, Gomez has recorded seven saves in as many opportunities, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks over 11 1/3 innings. He recorded the first two-inning save of his career on Tuesday.
• The Phillies are 8-1-3 in 12 series all-time against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park.

Standings:

(entering 6/8/16)

What's Next:

• Friday, June 10, 2016: at Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
• Nationals Park
  
• RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-3, 3.80 ERA) vs. TBA
• TV: NBC10; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP