Double-header action today for the Phillies as they take on the Atlanta Braves, a team they beat handedly last night 5-0 behind a solid Arrieta outing and a red hot JT Realmuto.

The main storyline today will be game two of the double-header with Phillies’ top prospect Spencer Howard making his Major League debut.

But first, Vinny Velasquez will take the mound at 1:05pm looking for another bounce-back outing after getting destroyed by the Marlins at the initial start of the season. That game was on July 26th and he allowed four runs in three innings against the Miami Marlins. Velasquez is 1-6 with a 5.20 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) against the Braves.

“For Vince, it’s really important that he bounces back, he goes back to work and he gets his stuff right,” Girardi said. “It’s important he has a good start in his next start.”

In Game 2, we will begin the Spencer Howard Era in Philadelphia.

“His stuff is electric,” said second baseman Scott Kingery. “I’ve faced him a couple of times. It didn’t turn out well for me. He’s got good stuff. He’s someone that can help the team. If that’s what happens, I think we’re all going to be excited for it.”

The Phillies will most likely need a solid 6th arm moving forward given all of the schedule changes and over a half-dozen double-headers still left to play. Assuming Howard can get things moving, he’ll be here to stay.

Happy 24th birthday, Spencer Howard.

See you in a week. pic.twitter.com/MAtD8Wvrqv

— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) July 28, 2020

Ring that bell, baby.