Don't expect to see Vince Velasquez for long tonight vs. Braves

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The Phillies send Vince Velasquez to the mound tonight to begin their crucial four-game series in Atlanta, but don’t expect to see him for long. It doesn’t fit with how Gabe Kapler has used the back of his rotation in September or with how Velasquez has pitched lately. 

Since Aug. 8, Velasquez has averaged under 4.0 innings per start. In seven games, he’s pitched just 25 1/3 innings. His last time out, he faced 10 batters. 

Velasquez’s numbers against the Braves earlier this season (0-4, 7.41 ERA) were ugly, but it’s a different situation this time. He isn’t being relied on to pitch six innings. He almost certainly will not be relied on to face the top of the order a third time through, especially with left-handed Freddie Freeman in the three-spot. 

Get ready for plenty of pitching changes tonight. However boring or monotonous it may be at times, it’s logical to have lefties face Freeman and Nick Markakis each time from the middle innings onward. Obviously, you want a righty in there for Ronald Acuña Jr. 

With a dozen men in the bullpen this month, the Phillies have averaged nearly 4.5 relievers per game in September. Bet the over on that number tonight. 

Everyone other than Pat Neshek should be available to pitch. Neshek has gone back to back games. He hasn’t pitched three straight nights at any point this season or last. 

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