By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The final game of the Philadelphia Phillies' (3-5) six-game homestand will feature a matchup between right-handers Vince Velasquez and Zack Wheeler of the New York Mets (5-3) Wednesday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies will look to avoid being swept for the first time of the season after falling 4-3 and 14-4 the first two games. They will continue their current stretch of 18 straight games against National League East division opponents Friday in Washington D.C.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| New York Mets (5-3) | Philadelphia Phillies (3-5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Zack Wheeler | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (0-1, 11.25 ERA) | (0-1, 9.00 ERA) | ||||
Both Velasquez and Wheeler will look to rebound after suffering defeats in their first starts of the season Friday against fellow National League East division opponents, the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins, respectively. Lasting just four innings during the Phillies home opener, Velasquez fanned 10 batters but allowed four runs on five hits, three walks, two home runs and 94 pitches.
Making his first big league appearance since 2014, Wheeler also last four innings with as many strikeouts. He allowed five runs on six hits, one walk and one home run spanning 80 pitches.
In three career starts against the Mets, the Phillies right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.76 ERA and 20 strikeouts through 15 1/3 innings. Wheeler, a former top prospect, is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA lifetime against the Phillies through five starts and 30 1/3 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| New York Mets (5-3) | Philadelphia Phillies (3-5) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Michael Conforto | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | SS | Asdrubal Cabrera | S | 2 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R |
| 3 | LF | Yoenis Cespedes | R | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | RF | Jay Bruce | L | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | 2B | Neil Walker | S | 5 | RF | Michael Saunders | L |
| 6 | 1B | Lucas Duda | L | 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R |
| 7 | 3B | Jose Reyes | S | 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | C | Travis d'Arnaud | R | 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 9 | P | Zack Wheeler | L | 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Right-hander Luis Garcia has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace the recently-optioned LHP Adam Morgan.
- The Phillies have lost 19 of their last 23 series against the Mets, going 22-50 since June 21, 2013.
- After originally being in the series finale lineup, Mets center fielder Curtis Granderson is instead a healthy scratch, according to Marc Carig of Newsday.
What's Next:
- Friday, April 14, 2017: at Washington Nationals, 4:05 p.m.
- Nationals Park
- RHP Aaron Nola (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 3.21 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
