Velasquez looks to build on last start
(MLB.com Philadelphia Phillies)

The Phillies open a four-game series in St. Louis on Thursday night at Busch Stadium. Right-hander Vince Velasquez (3-4, 5.05 ERA) faces Cardinals righty Luke Weaver (3-2, 4.91 ERA) in the opener. After allowing three runs in his first two innings against the Giants in his last start, Velasquez retired 15 of the final 17 batters he faced. He struck out 11 of them as his four-seam fastball jumped from 93.1 mph through his first seven batters to 94.2 mph through his final 17.