By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Eyeing their fourth straight series win, the Philadelphia Phillies (51-39) will take on two-time All-Star RHP Jacob deGrom in the series finale of a four-game set against the New York Mets (36-53) Wednesday evening at Citi Field. Right-hander Vince Velasquez — who left his June 30 start after just two innings with a right forearm contusion — will return from the 10-day disabled list to make his fourth career start at the Queens, New York, venue.
Right-hander Enyel De Los Santos — the prospect the Phillies acquired this offseason from the San Diego Padres for shortstop Freddy Galvis — shined in his big league debut in Tuesday's 7-3 victory. In 6 1/3 innings, the right-hander allowed three runs on five hits and three walks, while punching out six batters spanning 94 pitches and 58 strikes. In earning the win, De Los Santos threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of his 26 batters faced, and also induced eight swinging strikes, five ground balls and eight fly balls. On offense, third baseman Maikel Franco went 2-4 with a home run and four RBI, while center fielder Odubel Herrera set a new single-season career high, launching his 16th home run in the fifth.
The Phillies have 51 wins this season, a mark not achieved in 2017 under Pete Mackanin until Sept. 1. A win on Wednesday would even the club's record against National League East opponents to 18-18.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (51-39) | New York Mets (36-53) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Jacob deGrom | ||
| (5-8, 4.69 ERA) | (5-4, 1.79 ERA) | ||||
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 26
- 2018 vs. NYM: N/A
- Career vs. NYM: 1-3, 4.61 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 27 1/3 IP, 26 H, 17 R, 14 ER, 5 HR, 12 BB, 30 SO, 1.390 WHIP
- Career at Citi Field: 1-0, 2.12 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 17 IP, 13 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 HR, 7 BB, 18 SO, 1.176 WHIP
Velasquez has a 6.16 ERA in 10 starts and 49 2/3 innings at home this season, as opposed to a 2.79 ERA in seven starts and 38 2/3 innings on the road. The right-hander last opposed deGrom and the Mets last season on August 10, when similar to his most recent start on June 30, he faced just seven batters and recorded three outs in the Phillies' 10-0 blowout loss. Velasquez exited due to numbness on the tip of his right middle finger, and would not return the rest of the season.
RHP Jacob deGrom, Age: 30
- 2018 vs. PHI: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO, 3.000 WHIP
- Career vs. PHI: 6-1, 2.74 ERA, 12 G, 12 GS, 69 IP, 57 H, 26 R, 21 ER, 5 HR, 17 BB, 75 SO, 1.072 WHIP
- Career at Citi Field: 24-18, 2.26 ERA, 62 G, 62 GS, 399 IP, 304 H, 114 R, 100 ER, 27 HR, 107 BB, 475 SO, 1.030 WHIP
deGrom pitched just one inning in his previous and only start against the Phillies this season on May 13 at Citizens Bank Park. In his return from the disabled list (hyperextended right elbow), the right-hander did not allow a run, but needed 45 pitches to get through three outs after walking his first three batters faced. deGrom was removed for precautionary reasons, also considering the 59-minute rain delay leading up to the game. Mets manager Mickey Callaway said, "I don't think I've ever seen somebody throw 40-something pitches and not give up a run. … He felt fine. We just didn't feel good sending him back out. We can't do that to anybody. That's a lot of pitches for one inning."
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (51-39) | New York Mets (36-53) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | LF | Michael Conforto | L |
| 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R | 2 | RF | Jose Bautista | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 2B | Wilmer Flores | R |
| 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S | 4 | 1B | Dominic Smith | L |
| 5 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 5 | C | Devin Mesoraco | R |
| 6 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 6 | CF | Matt den Dekker | L |
| 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 7 | SS | Amed Rosario | R |
| 8 | P | Vince Velasquez | R | 8 | 3B | Jose Reyes | S |
| 9 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 9 | P | Jacob deGrom | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The division-leading Phillies trail the Milwaukee Brewers by just three games for the best record in the National League.
- Franco has the eighth-best batting average this month among all major leaguers qualified, .423. The Azua, Dominican Republic, native is slashing .421/.500/.789 this road trip with five singles, one double, two home runs, three walks and seven RBI.
- Mets second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera is 5-11 lifetime against Velasquez with one double, one walk, two RBI and two strikeouts. Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez and Franco are each 3-16 lifetime against deGrom.
In the News:
- Nola: Being an All-Star Is ‘A Dream Come True’ [Link]
- Kapler: ‘Not Much Utility in Feeling Sorry’ for Lack of All-Stars [Link]
- Phillies Option De Los Santos to Triple-A Following Stellar Debut [Link]
- Phillies Promote Former 1st Round Pick Haseley to Double-A [Link]
- Phillies Rumors: Machado Remains Club's 'Top Target' [Link]
- Phillies Hot Stove: @jaysonst on Eflin, Franco, Machado, Royals [Link]
- Phillies’ Nola Named to National League All-Star Team [Link]
What's Next:
Thursday, July 12, 2018: at Baltimore Orioles, 6:05 p.m.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Md.
- Makeup of May 15 postponement
- RHP Nick Pivetta (5-7, 4.62 ERA) vs. TBA
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
