Phillies manager Pete Mackanin considers Vince Velasquez the only power pitcher in his starting rotation. That could spell trouble for the Padres in the finale of a four-game series on Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.
Against pitchers with similar repertoires and fastball velocities (93-plus mph average fastball) -- Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Jake McGee among them -- San Diego has combined for just six hits in 69 at-bats (0.087 average). Velasquez will have the advantage of relative anonymity as well since no Padres hitter has faced the 23-year-old pitcher.
Set to oppose San Diego starter Drew Pomeranz, Velasquez will be looking to top a stellar season debut -- shutting down the Mets with six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts on April 9.
"It was fun to watch," Mackanin said. "He's going to be a good one. Coachable, great kid, a true competitor."
Pomeranz won his Padres debut, allowing two runs in five innings with seven strikeouts against the Rockies on Saturday.
Things to know about this game
• Neither team swept a four-game series in 2015. Each won two of nine, including the Padres taking three of four in their first four-gamer of last season against the Giants.
• Neither team swept a four-game series in 2015. Each won two of nine, including the Padres taking three of four in their first four-gamer of last season against the Giants.
• The Phillies have only combined for 15 total at-bats against Pomeranz. In 2012, Carlos Ruiz doubled and hit an RBI single while Pomeranz was still with the Rockies.
• Despite committing to platoons at first base and left field, the Phillies can't be looking forward to facing the lefty Pomeranz. In 60 at-bats this season, Philadelphia has posted only a .479 OPS against southpaws.
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