MLB Game Preview - Miami at Philadelphia
Sat Jun 22, 2019 4:05 PM EDT

LAA
2
STL
4
F
MIN
5
KC
3
F(10)
NYM
10
CHC
2
F
SD
3
PIT
6
F
MIA
5
PHI
3
F
TOR
8
BOS
7
F
TB
2
OAK
4
F
BAL
8
SEA
4
F
CIN
5
MIL
6
F
DET
0
CLE
2
F
ATL
13
WSH
9
F
COL
4
LAD
5
F(11)
HOU
5
NYY
7
F
CHW
5
TEX
6
F
SF
7
ARI
4
F
Marlins try to keep Phillies on the skids
Sat Jun 22, 2019 12:00 PM

The host Philadelphia Phillies won't have to worry about Miami Marlins closer Sergio Romo on Saturday night, in all likelihood.

Romo earned a save Friday night as the Marlins beat the Phillies 2-1 in the opener of a three-game series. It was the fourth straight day in which Romo worked, for a total of 4 1/3 innings.

"'Romey,' four days in a row, he was able to put that game away," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Romo's save on Friday. "That was nice."

If the Marlins need a closer on Saturday, they will likely turn to Tayron Guerrero, Adam Conley or Nick Anderson. Of those three, only Conley has any career saves. Conley has five, including two this year.

As for starters, Saturday's pitching matchup will feature two right-handers: Philadelphia's Vince Velasquez (2-4, 4.71 ERA) against Miami's Elieser Hernandez (0-2, 3.95).

Velasquez, 27, has a 22-30 career record with a 4.61 ERA. He's made 70 appearances the past three years, including 69 as a starter.

This year, however, he lost his spot in the rotation early in the season and has made 10 of his 17 appearances in relief. He has a 4.35 ERA in relief and a 4.83 ERA as a starter this year. He has been significantly better at home (3.75 ERA) than on the road (5.10).

Historically, Velasquez has performed well against the Marlins: 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 appearances, including 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one start this year.

This will be Velasquez's second start since moving back into the rotation, and manager Gabe Kapler was asked if this move is sustainable long term.

"It's up to him," Kapler said. "Vince has a really good opportunity. He has a chance to seize (a rotation spot)."

Meanwhile, Hernandez, 24, has made three appearances this year, including two starts. He has never started against the Phillies and is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two career relief appearances against them.

The Marlins have three starting pitchers on the injured list -- Caleb Smith (hip), Jose Urena (back) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) -- which has given Hernandez an opportunity.

As for the Miami hitters, five of them are on the injured list: third baseman Martin Prado (hamstring), first baseman Neil Walker (quadriceps), center fielder Jon Berti (oblique) and catchers Jorge Alfaro and Chad Wallach, both with concussions.

Alfaro went on the injured list Friday morning, and his replacement, Bryan Holaday, homered. It is expected that Holaday will get a lot more work behind the plate until Alfaro is able to return.

"I'm really familiar with our pitching staff," Holaday said of his main role as a defensive catcher. "That makes my job easier."

The Phillies, who have lost 14 of their past 20 games, including the past five in a row.

Several Phillies hitters struggled on Friday, including Jay Bruce, who left five runners on base, going 0-for-5 with two strikeouts. In addition, former Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto went 0-for-4, and Bryce Harper went 1-for-5, flying out with the bases loaded in one key at-bat.

Harper is hitting just .242 this season, and Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has gotten himself benched. Franco is hitting just .206 and has started just three of the past nine games. Franco hit 22 homers last season and 71 over the past three years.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Miami            
Philadelphia            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Elieser Hernandez - LAD
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Philadelphia
Vince Velasquez - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Miami

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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