Toronto Blue Jays vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Odds, Prediction
The Blue Jays continue their National League swing through Pennsylvania on Tuesday by visiting Bryce Harper and the reigning NL champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Philly opened as a -115 favourite to win on the MLB odds.
Betting Analysis
In a way, the Jays caught a minor bad break in not facing the Phillies in April instead because two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper was on the injured list rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery on his elbow. It’s not that usual for non-pitchers to get TJS but when they do, it’s usually a full year away. Harper had the surgery last Nov. 23 and returned to the majors in exactly 160 days. For a hitter, it’s not quite the same recovery period, but it will limit Harper to DH for a while. The team is hoping he can take reps at first base in the not too distant future after losing starting first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a season-ending knee injury in spring training.
Of course, the Phillies’ manager is Rob Thomson, a native of the Sarnia area in Ontario. He was named manager on interim basis in place of the fired Joe Girardi last summer and earned the full-time job thanks to leading the Phils to the pennant.
The Blue Jays were 3-1 vs. the Phillies last year, splitting two at Citizens Bank Park.
Toronto Blue Jays
After the pitching staff was obliterated in a four-game sweep in Boston to open last week, the Blue Jays allowed just three total runs in sweeping three games in Pittsburgh over the weekend – each by win by at least four runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sat out the final two vs. the Pirates with a wrist issue and remains day-to-day. Brandon Belt had a good series as he entered with a .161 average and .509 OPS, but he went a combined 6-for-9 with three doubles and three walks vs. the Bucs. Alek Manoah (1-2, 4.71 ERA) is set to take the mound Tuesday. He was knocked around for five runs (two earned) last time out in Boston. This will be Manoah’s first-ever regular-season start vs. the Phillies. His final spring outing of 2023 was against them on March 24 in Dunedin, when he allowed one runs over six innings. The Blue Jays are 20-7 in their past 27 after an off day.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies ended a six-game losing streak Sunday with a 6-1 home win over Boston. Bryce Harper had a hit and is batting .368 since making his season debut off surgery. Alec Bohm went 0-for-4 Sunday and is in a 12-for-66 slump with no homers in his past 18 games. J.T. Realmuto threw out his sixth attempted base stealer of the season in the fourth inning. He has a 28.6 per cent catcher caught stealing success rate (6-for-21) this year. Right-hander Aaron Nola (2-2, 4.64 ERA) is on the mound Tuesday. He has been a bit inconsistent and is 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two home starts. In four career starts vs. Toronto, he is 0-2 with 5.48 ERA. Brandon Belt is 6-for-10 off him with a double and homer. Whit Merrifield is 2-for-3 with a double. The Phillies are 5-1 in their past six at home vs. a right-handed starter.
TOR
PHI