Nothing comes easy for the Philadelphia Phillies. Last night was no different. Vincent Velasquez took the mound for game one of a three game series against the Miami Marlins. Velasquez pitched his longest outing since 2019. Vinny put on a clinic through seven scoreless innings, striking out seven, while retiring the last 13 batters he faced. The Phillies, working against their bullpen, held on and took game won by a final score of 4-3.

Andrew McCutchen got things started for the Phillies with a RBI single in the first inning. Cutch has been on fire all month long. Over his last 15 games, he’s slashing .302/.436/.558 with three home runs, 11 RBI, nine walks, 10 runs, and 13 hits in 43 at-bats.

There is not a player in Major League Baseball that is more hot and cold than Rhys Hoskins. The Big Fella snapped an 0-for-23 skid last night with a home run to left center field in the sixth inning to extend the Phillies lead to 2-0.

Hoskins continues to confuse everyone. He leads the team in home runs and RBI, but goes through some of the most brutal cold streaks I have ever seen. For those who have been following The Liberty Line, you already know I am a huge Rhys Hoskins supporter. When hot, it’s hard to deny the value he brings to the Phillies, despite his poor defense at first base.

Here’s where Hoskins ranks among NL first basemen:

As I mentioned, nothing ever comes easy for the Phillies. Connor Brogdon struck out a few batters and walked a few before the Phillies went with Jose Alvarado, who promptly walked a hitter to load the bases. Alvarado threw a wild pitch and let a run score, narrowing the Phillies lead.

You know what, I’m not even going to get into the bullpen. Let’s just be happy that Vincent Velasquez was amazing and Rhys Hoskins snapped another cold skid to give the Phillies a much needed win.

Notes:

Phillies starting pitching have a combined 0.83 ERA over the last six games.

Jean Segura was back in the lineup for the Phillies. Spencer Howard was optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley.

Vincent Velasquez and Matt Moore look to be the Phillies’ four and five starters for the foreseeable future.

The Phillies are back to three games under .500 with a 37-40 record. They are in third place in the National League East, still five games behind the leading New York Mets and two games behind the second place Washington Nationals.

Aaron Nola will be on the mound tonight for the Phillies to keep things rolling.