Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Odds, Prediction
The Toronto Blue Jays open a two-game set Tuesday against Bryce Harper (but not Trea Turner) and the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia is a -135 home favourite to win on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
This is one of those two-game series that are somewhat rare but pretty much every team in MLB has a few like that during a season. The Phillies will visit Toronto for two starting Sept. 3. The teams know each other fairly well as spring training neighbours/opponents with Blue Jays camp in Dunedin, Fla., and Philadelphia’s practically next door in Clearwater.
Philadelphia hasn’t won the NL East Division since 2011 and probably won’t this year, either, because of the Atlanta Braves. But the Phils have knocked off the favoured Braves in the NLDS the past two seasons. In 2022, the Phillies got to the World Series but lost in six to Houston. Last year, they blew a 3-2 NLCS lead vs. Arizona and lost the final two at home.
Ownership again ponied up big-time this offseason to try and get the franchise its first World Series title since 2008 and that’s definitely possible. If Philadelphia was in the American League, it might be the pennant favourite but is stuck behind the Braves and the LA Dodgers in the NL.
Last season, the Phillies won three of four in the interleague series vs. Toronto, including both at home. The Phils might have the best home-field advantage in MLB these days.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is trying to win its first series since taking two of three in San Diego from April 19-21. The Jays lost the rubber match at Washington on Sunday, 11-8 – blowing an early 6-1 lead. Alek Manoah went four innings in his first MLB start since last August, allowing seven runs. Manager John Schneider, whose seat is getting warm, said Manoah will get at least one more start. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his fifth career grand slam for the Blue Jays. It was his first homer this year in 22 games and first this season with men on base. Guerrero Jr. is on an eight-game hitting streak, batting .344. Daulton Varsho went 1-for-5 on Sunday to extend his road hitting streak to nine games.
Righty Jose Berrios (4-2, 1.44) pitches Tuesday. He was a tough-luck loser last time out in Kansas City, allowing two runs over seven. Berrios has not allowed more than two earned in a start this year. He is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts vs. Philadelphia. Bryce Harper is 0-for-2 career off him. Nick Castellanos is 1-for-7 with a homer.
Philadelphia Phillies
Note that Philadelphia is at a minor disadvantage in that it played Monday and Toronto didn’t, but the Phillies didn’t have to travel so that’s largely a wash. The Phillies got some bad news over the weekend when All-Star shortstop Trea Turner, maybe the most graceful player in the majors right now and one of the fastest ones, injured his hamstring on Friday and is expected to miss six weeks. Huge loss as Turner is batting .343 with two home runs, nine RBIs, 10 stolen bases and an .852 OPS this season. Edmundo Sosa will play most nights at shortstop in his place. The Phils also could move Bryson Stott over from second at times and then move former Blue Jay Whit Merrifield into the starting lineup at second.
Lefty Cristopher Sanchez (1-3, 3.68 ERA) is on the mound Tuesday in the series opener. He struggled last time out, allowing a season-high four runs and seven hits over five in a no-decision vs. the Angels. Sanchez was available in relief for Saturday’s game vs. San Francisco, but because he wasn’t needed he’s now set up to start Tuesday. Sanchez has never faced the Jays.
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