Phillies turn to Vince Velasquez in opening series decider

Phillies righty Vince Velasquez will make his 100th career start on Sunday

Two games into the season, and the Philadelphia Phillies have already experienced both defeat and triumph while facing the Miami Marlins. After a disappointing Opening Day loss, manager Joe Girardi‘s squad bounced back on Saturday thanks to stellar debut of Zack Wheeler and the home run power of Phil Gosselin (2), Didi Gregorius, and J.T. Realmuto.

Now, just 58 games remain. On Sunday, the Phillies will turn to Vince Velasquez in the series decider to help them get over the .500 mark for the first time this season.

Phillies starting lineup:

1. CF Adam Haseley
2. 1B Rhys Hoskins
3. RF Bryce Harper
4. C J.T. Realmuto
5. SS Didi Gregorius
6. 3B Jean Segura
7. LF Jay Bruce
8. 2B Scott Kingery
9. DH Neil Walker

Andrew McCutchen (0-9, 3 SO) sits, along with Gosselin, who went 3-3 with a walk and two home runs on Saturday as the designated hitter; Haseley will get his first start of the season.

Heading into the season, Jake Arrieta was long believed to be the team’s No. 3 starter. He may still be on paper, but Velasquez’s impressive showing in summer camp — which included the showing off of a new pitching repertoire — provided Girardi the flexibility and confidence to change around the rotation order to his liking.

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Velasquez will rely on his new cutter and refined changeup to help change his recent trend facing Marlins hitters. Last season in five starts against the team, the right-hander posted a 7.06 ERA and 1.246 WHIP, allowing 21 hits, 17 earned runs, five home runs, and six walks across 21 2/3 innings.

Here are a few Marlins hitters who have had career success against the Phillies veteran, who is entering his fifth season with the team and sixth overall:

• Brian Anderson: 15 AB, 4 H, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, .267/.421/.800
• Francisco Cervelli: 3 AB, 2 H, 2 RBI, .667/.667/.667
• Garret Cooper: 7 AB, 3 H, 1 R, 2 RBI, .429/.429/.571
• Isan Diaz: 4 AB, 2 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .500/.500/1.250
• Miguel Rojas: 15 AB, 5 H, .333/.375/.333

Opposing Velasquez for the Marlins will be fellow 28-year-old right-hander Jose Urena, who was the team’s Opening Day starter in 2018 and 2019. Similar to Velasquez, Urena enters his sixth season in the majors; he is the most experienced starting pitcher on the Marlins staff, with 137 career appearances and 93 career starts.

UPDATE: The Marlins have scratched RHP Jose Urena, who tested positive for COVID-19, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Rookie RHP Robert Dugger will start in his place. Last season, Dugger went 0-4 with a 5.77 ERA, 25-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 1.456 WHIP in seven starts (none against Phillies). No current Phillies batters has previously faced Dugger.

Last season against Phillies hitters, Urena struck out 13 batters across 15 innings while allowing 11 hits, three earned runs, three home runs, and three walks en route to a sub-2.00 ERA and sub-1.000 WHIP ratio.

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Sunday will mark the Dominican Republic native’s 10th career appearance at Citizens Bank Park. Given Jay Bruce‘s career success against Urena — one double, two home runs, six RBI, and three walks across 16 at-bats — he returns to the starting lineup in the series finale after an off-day on Saturday against a southpaw starter.

Here are other Phillies batters who have had career success against Urena:

• Bryce Harper: 17 AB, 4 H, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 6 BB, .235/.435/.353
• Scott Kingery: 7 AB, 3 H, 1 2B, 1 RBI, .429/.429/.571
• Andrew McCutchen: 14 AB, 4 H, .286/.286/.286
• J.T. Realmuto: 3 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .333/.333/1.333

Sunday’s first pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.