Gabe Kapler, Phillies want Vince Velasquez to adhere to catcher J.T. Realmuto’s game plan

ST. LOUIS -- The initials in J.T. Realmuto’s name abbreviate Jacob Tyler. Going forward, though, it might be helpful if Vince Velasquez -- every Phillies pitcher, really -- thinks of them as standing for “Just Throw.”

Velasquez irritated Realmuto on Monday night by shaking off several calls for off-speed or breaking pitches in favor of his fastball. Two of those heaters were hit out of the ballpark in a 6-0 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Realmuto spoke candidly after the game about how the outcome might have been different if Velasquez had followed his lead.

A day later, manager Gabe Kapler backed Realmuto, labeling his critique as “spot on” and commending the veteran catcher for his leadership. Kapler also reiterated that the pitchers should trust both Realmuto and backup catcher Andrew Knapp, who do a “tremendous, tremendous amount of work” before games and series to strategize for specific hitters and situations.

“I spoke to Vince last night; C.Y. [pitching coach Chris Young] spoke to Vince last night; J.T. spoke to Vince last night,” Kapler said before the series continued Tuesday. “We’re going to ask that there be an adjustment made rather than allowing it to kind of organically unfold.”

The Phillies don’t want Velasquez to stray from his fastball, his best pitch and one that he has the most confidence throwing. But when Realmuto calls for a sinker or a curveball off the plate, as he did in a two-strike count to Yadier Molina in the fourth inning, or a two-strike curveball to Paul DeJong in the fifth, they want Velasquez to stop thinking and, well, just throw.

"If Vinny can trust that game plan and allow his stuff and his athleticism to be the difference between a great start and one that he's not as satisfied with, it seems like that makes the most sense," Kapler said. "He's very receptive and open to feedback. As you saw in his postgame comments, I think he was objective and direct and accountable."

Friday is shaping up as a big day for reliever David Robertson, who expects to be cleared to begin a throwing program. He has been sidelined since April 15 because of a flexor strain in his right elbow/forearm.

"I was hoping to be back really quick. It just didn't work out that way," said Robertson, who signed a two-year, $23 million contract in the offseason and is among the Phillies' most important late-inning relievers. "I'm a little frustrated with it, but you've got to do what's right. I don't want to end up going backward. When I get going, I want to be ready to go."

After playing 24 of their first 33 games against division rivals, the Phillies don’t face a National League East team again until June 14-16 in Atlanta. They are 15-9 within the division but only 4-6 against other teams. ... Jerad Eickhoff, who grew up about three hours away in Evansville, Ind., will start the matinee series finale Wednesday against Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty.