4 years agoPhiladelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Spencer Howard appears to be the likeliest candidate to start Friday’s contest against the Mets and right-hander Jacob deGrom. Manager Joe Girardi indicated that either Howard or fellow righty Vince Velasquez would be tabbed, and with Velasquez having appeared out of relief Thursday, Howard appears destined to make his second big league start. Philadelphia’s No. 2 prospect allowed seven hits and four runs across 4 2/3 frames in his debut last Sunday. His matchup against a Mets club that enters play Friday with the third-highest team batting average in the Majors (.263) makes for a difficult play in any season-long format.--Jesse Borek
Source: Todd Zolecki