Phillies, Vince Velasquez go for series win over Cardinals in rubber match

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

PHILADELPHIA — With RHP Vince Velasquez on the mound, the Philadelphia Phillies (58-66) will look for their first series win over the Cardinals since August 22-24, 2014, as they oppose seven-year veteran RHP Mike Leake and the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies have hit a home run in 14 consecutive games dating back to August 5. A home run today would match their longest streak since September of 2008, when they hit in 18 straight.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Mike Leake — Age: 28;

• Last Start: August 14, 2016, at CHC: ND, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (2-3), 9 G, 53.0 IP, 59 H, 37 R, 36 ER, 9 BB, 38 SO, 10 HR, 6.11 ERA

In three career starts at Citizens Bank Park, Leake is 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA and 1.210 WHIP ratio. He has thrown two consecutive quality starts.

Vince Velasquez — Age: 24;

• Last Start: August 16, 2016, vs. LAD: L, 5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 10 SO, 3 HR
• Career vs. STL: N/A

Velasquez has surrendered three home runs in each of his last two starts, both of which were against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has failed to throw at least six innings in each of his three August starts, posting a 9.39 ERA and an opposing slash of .339/.391/.694 over 15 1/3 innings.

The Phillies have not won a game in which Velasquez has started since July 8 at Colorado.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez has reached base safely in each of his last 24 starts. He leads all of baseball in triples this season with nine, and was a triple shy of the cycle Saturday evening in the 4-2 victory over the Cardinals.
• Over his last 17 appearances on the mound (17 1/3 innings), Phillies reliever Hector Neris has surrendered just one run, a solo home run, with a 25-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He struck out the side in the eighth inning and recorded his 26th hold of the season on Saturday.
• In 26 career plate appearances against Leake, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is batting .348/.423/.783 with a double, two walks, three home runs and eight RBIs. Third baseman Maikel Franco is a .571/.625/.714 career hitter against the right-hander with four hits and a walk over eight plate appearances. The only Cardinal with past experience against Velasquez is OF/1B Brandon Moss, who is 0-3 with three strikeouts.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Tuesday, August 23, 2016: at Chicago White Sox, 8:10 p.m.
• U.S. Cellular Field
  
• RHP Jake Thompson (1-2, 8.79 ERA) vs. LHP Carlos Rodon (3-8, 4.26 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP