PHILADELPHIA -- With the recent struggles of Aaron Nola and the inconsistent performances from the likes of Jeremy Hellickson and Zach Eflin in recent weeks, one can make a legitimate argument that the Phillies starting pitching is currently in a state of flux as Jerad Eickhoff has been the only steady performer in the rotation.The hope is Vince Velasquezs return can help bring some more stability.When the Phillies (36-46) host the Kansas City Royals (43-37) on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of the teams three-game set, the powerful right-hander will make his first start at home since leaving after throwing just two pitches in a game against the Chicago Cubs on June 8.Velasquez was diagnosed with a right biceps strain and missed almost three weeks of action before he returned to the hill Monday in Arizona. In his return, Velasquez, who was acquired in December from the Houston Astros in a package in return for closer Ken Giles, silenced the Diamondbacks by giving up just five hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings in an 8-0 Philadelphia victory.Replicating that success on Sunday will be no easy task against the defending World Series champion Royals and red-hot slugger Kendrys Morales.After mashing two homers in Saturday nights 6-2 win over the Phillies, Morales is 26-for-46 with five doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBI over his last 12 games. Thats good for a .565 average during that span.I feel really good at the plate and the key is Im making hard contact when Im swinging the bat, Morales said through the Royals team interpreter after Saturday nights victory. Pitch selection is key for me. When I see a pitch I can drive, Im going to swing at it. Things are going good right now.Morales typically is a designated hitter. But with the groove Morales is in these days, Royals manager Ned Yost found it difficult to take Morales out of his lineup this week as Kansas City visited St. Louis and Philadelphia, both National League cities.So on this road trip, Yost has elected to play Morales in the outfield, where he hadnt played since 2008 when the Cuban slugger was with the Los Angeles Angels.Its worked out really good, Yost said. The first couple of days it was like, OK, Im really interested to see this happen. But now, this has worked out really, really well for us. ... He hasnt hurt us. Its been a real pleasant surprise.With his recent surge, Morales now has his average up to .264 on the season.There are a couple of streaks to keep an eye on Sunday.Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar enters Sunday riding a 13-game hitting streak, the longest of his career during a single season. He had an 18-game streak that stretched from the end of 2014 into 2015.Phillies outfielder Peter Bourjos is riding an 11-game hit streak of his own. It ties the longest streak for a Phillie this season. Odubel Herrera did it in April. A hit on Sunday would tie the longest hitting streak of Bourjos career.Philadelphia is looking to get back on the winning side of the ledger after having its four-game win streak snapped on Saturday night. Ryan Miller Jersey . Ashley Youngs cross was inadvertently headed by Chester into his own net in the 66th minute, allowing United to claim a third straight league win. "We had to dig deep with our fighting spirit and weve done that," United striker Wayne Rooney said. Pierre Turgeon Jersey . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. http://www.officialsabresfanstore.com/customized/ . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Derek Roy Jersey . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Jack Eichel Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Pro Bowl running back Latavius Murray has been ruled out of the Oakland Raiders home game against the San Diego Chargers with a toe injury on his right foot.With Murray out, the rookie duo of fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington and undrafted free agent Jalen Richard, as well as fullback Jamize Olawale, will get the ball.Youre always prepared in case, said Raiders coach Jack Del Rio. Youve got capable guys, guys who have been playing anyways. Well be ready to go.Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Thursday that Murray, who leads the team with 172 rushing yards on 40 carries with three rushing touchdowns, was wearing a protective boot Tuesday and Wednesday. He was working with new cleats in an attempt to play.It did not work.Murray was responsible for 75 percent of the Raiders running plays last season. TThis year, Washington has rushed for 147 yards on 23 carries and Richard has 144 yards on 17 attempts, with a 75-yard TD on his first NFL carry.ddddddddddddTheyre so sharp in pass protection as well as when we get them in the passing game, Musgrave said. We get them out, throw balls to them.Washington has six receptions for 37 yards and Richard has five catches for 39 yards.Also ruled out by Oakland were right tackle Menelik Watson (calf) and safety Nate Allen (quad).Right tackles Austin Howard (ankle) and Matt McCants (knee), running back Taiwan Jones (knee), linebacker Malcolm Smith (quad) and tight end Clive Walford (knee) were all ruled questionable to play after being limited in light practice Friday. ' ' '