Writer: Matt Rappa
Phillies, Velasquez open series against Nationals with Mackanin on brink of managerial milestone
Published26 Apr 2016
By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When right-handers Vince Velasquez of the Philadelphia Phillies (9-10) and Max Scherzer of the division-leading Washington Nationals (14-4) oppose each other in the series opener Tuesday evening at Nationals Park, Pete Mackanin will be looking to secure his 100th win as a Major League manager.
Since replacing Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg in the position last season, Mackanin has led the Phillies to a 46-61 record over 107 games, including a fourth-best MLB record of 21-12 spanning July 17 through August 23, 2015. Prior to the Phillies, Mackanin managed the 2007 Cincinnati Reds to a 41-39 record and the 2005 Pittsburgh Pirates to 12-14.
The Phillies enter Tuesday's contest having won two consecutive road series against National League East opponents and half of their six series played overall this season.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (9-10) | Washington Nationals (14-4) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Max Scherzer | ||
| (2-1, 0.93 ERA) | (2-1, 4.32 ERA) | ||||
Vince Velasquez — Age: 23;
- Last Start: April 19, 2016, vs. NYM: L, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 SO, 2 HR
- Career vs. WSN: N/A
Velasquez ranks first in Major League Baseball in strikeouts-per-nine-innings (13.50), third in WHIP (0.724) and fifth in opposing batting average (.157). His three walks allowed is tied for second-fewest among qualifying starting pitchers, trailing just San Francisco Giants right-hander Jake Peavy (2).
Max Scherzer — Age: 31;
- Last Start: April 21, 2016, at MIA: L, 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, HR
- Career vs. PHI: (5-1), 7 G, 47.0 IP, 33 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 6 BB, 49 SO, 2 HR, 2.11 ERA
Over his past five starts at Nationals Park, Scherzer is 2-1 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.129 WHIP ratio. He allowed 27 hits — 17 of which were extra-bases — to 137 total batters over 33 2/3 innings.
The 2013 American League Cy Young award winner starts in place of right-hander Joe Ross, whose turn was skipped in the rotation with a blister on his right middle finger not yet healed.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (9-10) | Washington Nationals (14-4) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | CF | Michael Taylor | R |
| 2 | SS | Andres Blanco | S | 2 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R |
| 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 5 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L |
| 6 | LF | David Lough | L | 6 | LF | Jayson Werth | R |
| 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 7 | SS | Danny Espinosa | S |
| 8 | SP | Vince Velasquez | S | 8 | C | Jose Lobaton | S |
| 9 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 9 | SP | Max Scherzer | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Over his past six games, Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera is batting .364/.464/.500 with seven runs scored, eight hits, one home run, four runs-batted-in and five walks. He has reached base safely in 16 consecutive games and in all but one of the Phillies' 19 games this season.
- The Phillies are 4-6 over their last 10 games at Nationals Park, despite outscoring and outhitting the Nationals 41-35 and 82-81, respectively. They are 36-38 all-time at the venue.
- Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is 1-16 lifetime against Scherzer with 10 strikeouts.
What's Next:
- Wednesday, April 27, 2016: at Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Nationals Park
- RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-1, 5.21 ERA) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 1.42 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
