The Toronto Blue Jays have won just twice in their last 11 games as they set out on a long road trip beginning Friday against the red-hot Odubel Herrera and the Philadelphia Phillies.
The struggling Toronto Blue Jays open a nine-game road trip Friday with the first of three interleague matchups at the surprising Philadelphia Phillies.
Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 26 May 12:06am | TOR | -1.5 +165 | O +9 -110 |
| Closing 26 May 12:06am | TOR | -1.5 +165 | O +9 -110 |
Might be a good thing that the Blue Jays are leaving Rogers Centre for a while. Their 8-1 loss Thursday to the Los Angeles Angels was Toronto’s 10 home defeat in the past 13 games. Toronto hasn’t won a home series since April 17-18 vs. Kansas City and is now 12-17 at home compared to 11-10 on the road.
The Blue Jays are set to start journeyman right-hander Sam Gaviglio on Friday. Despite being 28 years old, he’s in just his second season after splitting time last year with the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners. He was traded by the Royals late in 2018 spring training to the Blue Jays for a player to be named. Gaviglio took Jaime Garcia’s rotation spot when Garcia went on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Garcia hadn’t been great regardless with a 2-3 record and 6.28 ERA. Gaviglio (1-0, 0.93 ERA) will have to pitch well to keep his spot and he did last Saturday vs. Oakland, shutting out the A’s on six hits over 5.1 innings in a no-decision. His previous two appearances this season were both in relief vs. Boston. This will be his first road outing.
Philadelphia’s Zach Elfin (1-0, 1.56) also is a new addition to the rotation, making three starts since a late April call-up from Triple-A to take the spot of an injured Ben Lively. Elfin threw quality starts his first two times to the mound, taking a no-decision at the Marlins and a win over the Giants. He also pitched last Saturday and took a no-decision in allowing four runs (two earned) in 4.2 innings in St. Louis.
Toronto Blue Jays
A few Blue Jays have faced Elfin because he was bombed for nine runs in just 2.2 innings on June 14, 2016, in Toronto. That was Elfin’s major-league debut, and at the time the eight earned runs were the most allowed by a Phillies rookie since Gavin Floyd also gave up eight against the Mets on April 19, 2005. Josh Donaldson hit a grand slam off Elfin, and Kevin Pillar also homered. Curtis Granderson faced Elfin while Granderson was with the Mets and was 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs. Toronto will lose the DH for this MLB matchup in the NL park.
Philadelphia Phillies
No Phillies have faced Gaviglio in a regular-season game. Philadelphia enters this series having alternated wins and losses over its past seven (coming off a win). It took two of three at home vs. NL East-leading Atlanta to open this week. The Phillies are right on the Braves’ tail in the division – most experts concur that both clubs are a year ahead of time in terms of returning to playoff contention. Philadelphia has been an excellent home team this year at 18-7. Odubel Herrera is having a breakout season in hitting .343, which is second in the National League. Big-ticket free-agent addition Carlos Santana has eight homers and 30 RBIs but is hitting only .202. The Phillies have won four of their past five series openers.
Injuries
Aledmys Diaz (SS)
Curtis Granderson (RF)
Steve Pearce (LF)
Justin Smoak (1B)
Randal Grichuk (RF)
John Axford (RP)
Devon Travis (2B)
Josh Donaldson (3B)
Marco Estrada (SP)
Kendrys Morales (DH)
Adam Morgan (RP)
Scott Kingery (2B)
Victor Arano (RP)
J.P. Crawford (SS)
Ben Lively (SP)
Carlos Santana (1B)
Rhys Hoskins (LF)
Pat Neshek (RP)
Tommy Hunter (RP)
Mark Leiter Jr. (RP)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aledmys Diaz (SS) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 06 / 05 / 18 | 54-74 | 64-59-5 | + - |
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Diaz was forced from the previous game due to a left ankle sprain and it is undetermined if he will suit up Tuesday against the Mariners. |
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| Curtis Granderson (RF) | Ques Tues | Hamstring - 04 / 05 / 18 | 55-76 | 66-59-6 | + - |
|
Granderson sat out the last game with right hamstring tightness and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mariners on Tuesday. |
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| Steve Pearce (LF) | Out indefinitely | Oblique - 03 / 05 / 18 | 55-77 | 66-60-6 | + - |
|
Pearce has been designated for the 10-day disabled list due to an oblique strain and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Justin Smoak (1B) | Prob Sun | Personal - 03 / 05 / 18 | 55-77 | 66-60-6 | + - |
|
Smoak is on the paternity list but is expected to rejoin the team for Sunday's game against the Rays. |
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| Randal Grichuk (RF) | Late May | Knee - 30 / 04 / 18 | 58-77 | 68-60-7 | + - |
|
Grichuk has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain and is expected to miss three weeks. |
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| John Axford (RP) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 23 / 04 / 18 | 61-80 | 71-63-7 | + - |
|
Axford has been placed on the bereavement list due to a death in the family and can miss a maximum of seven days. |
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| Devon Travis (2B) | Ques Sun | Foot - 21 / 04 / 18 | 62-81 | 73-63-7 | + - |
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Travis sat out the last two games due to swelling in his left foot and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Yankees. |
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| Josh Donaldson (3B) | Prob Thurs | Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 18 | 66-83 | 76-65-8 | + - |
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Donaldson has been activated from the 10-day disabled list after recovering from inflammation in his right shoulder. He is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Indians. |
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| Marco Estrada (SP) | Prob Fri | Back - 11 / 04 / 18 | 66-84 | 76-66-8 | + - |
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Estrada is battling lower-back spasms but is expected to make his next scheduled start Friday against the Yankees. |
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| Kendrys Morales (DH) | Prob Fri | Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 18 | 68-84 | 78-66-8 | + - |
|
Morales has landed on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain but is expected to be activated prior to Friday's game against the Yankees. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Morgan (RP) | Out indefinitely | Back - 07 / 05 / 18 | 60-69 | 59-66-4 | + - |
|
Morgan has been designated for the 10-day disabled list due to a back strain and will miss an undetermined length of time. |
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| Scott Kingery (2B) | Prob Fri | Bicep - 01 / 05 / 18 | 63-71 | 61-69-4 | + - |
|
Kingery sat out the previous game due to a biceps contusion but is expected to suit up Friday against the Nationals. |
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| Victor Arano (RP) | Out indefinitely | Shoulder - 30 / 04 / 18 | 63-72 | 62-69-4 | + - |
|
Arano is on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right rotator cuff and there is no timetable for recovery. |
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| J.P. Crawford (SS) | Mid May | Forearm - 28 / 04 / 18 | 64-73 | 63-70-4 | + - |
|
Crawford has landed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain and is likely to miss two weeks. |
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| Ben Lively (SP) | Out indefinitely | Back - 27 / 04 / 18 | 65-74 | 65-70-4 | + - |
|
Lively has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower-back strain and there is no definitive timetable for his return. |
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| Carlos Santana (1B) | Ques Wed | Rest - 18 / 04 / 18 | 68-78 | 67-73-6 | + - |
|
Santana is not expected to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Braves as he will get his first day of rest for the season. |
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| Rhys Hoskins (LF) | Ques Wed | Rest - 11 / 04 / 18 | 71-81 | 69-77-6 | + - |
|
Hoskins is unlikely to partake in Wednesday's game against the Reds as he is to be rested. |
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| Pat Neshek (RP) | Mid May | Shoulder - 29 / 03 / 18 | - | - | + - |
|
Neshek has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain and is likely to be out until the middle of May. |
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| Tommy Hunter (RP) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 26 / 03 / 18 | - | - | + - |
|
Hunter is on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He is lining up to be activated prior to Sunday's game against the Pirates. |
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| Mark Leiter Jr. (RP) | Mid May | Forearm - 20 / 03 / 18 | - | - | + - |
|
Leiter has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a mild flexor strain in his right arm and is likely to remain on the DL until the middle of May. |
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Weather
| temp | 84 |
| condition | cloudy |
| wind | Out to Center 15mph |
Blue Jays vs. Phillies Prediction
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TORONTO BLUE JAYS
3 -
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
6
Score
Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 May 12:06am TOR -1.5 +165 O +9 -110 Closing 26 May 12:06am TOR -1.5 +165 O +9 -110 -
Injuries
Aledmys Diaz (SS)
Ques Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 18Curtis Granderson (RF)
Ques Tues Hamstring - 04 / 05 / 18Steve Pearce (LF)
Out indefinitely Oblique - 03 / 05 / 18Justin Smoak (1B)
Prob Sun Personal - 03 / 05 / 18Randal Grichuk (RF)
Late May Knee - 30 / 04 / 18John Axford (RP)
Out indefinitely Personal - 23 / 04 / 18Devon Travis (2B)
Ques Sun Foot - 21 / 04 / 18Josh Donaldson (3B)
Prob Thurs Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 18Marco Estrada (SP)
Prob Fri Back - 11 / 04 / 18Kendrys Morales (DH)
Prob Fri Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 18Adam Morgan (RP)
Out indefinitely Back - 07 / 05 / 18Scott Kingery (2B)
Prob Fri Bicep - 01 / 05 / 18Victor Arano (RP)
Out indefinitely Shoulder - 30 / 04 / 18J.P. Crawford (SS)
Mid May Forearm - 28 / 04 / 18Ben Lively (SP)
Out indefinitely Back - 27 / 04 / 18Carlos Santana (1B)
Ques Wed Rest - 18 / 04 / 18Rhys Hoskins (LF)
Ques Wed Rest - 11 / 04 / 18Pat Neshek (RP)
Mid May Shoulder - 29 / 03 / 18Tommy Hunter (RP)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 26 / 03 / 18Mark Leiter Jr. (RP)
Mid May Forearm - 20 / 03 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aledmys Diaz (SS) Ques Tues Ankle - 06 / 05 / 18 54-74 64-59-5 + - Diaz was forced from the previous game due to a left ankle sprain and it is undetermined if he will suit up Tuesday against the Mariners.
Curtis Granderson (RF) Ques Tues Hamstring - 04 / 05 / 18 55-76 66-59-6 + - Granderson sat out the last game with right hamstring tightness and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mariners on Tuesday.
Steve Pearce (LF) Out indefinitely Oblique - 03 / 05 / 18 55-77 66-60-6 + - Pearce has been designated for the 10-day disabled list due to an oblique strain and there is no timetable for return.
Justin Smoak (1B) Prob Sun Personal - 03 / 05 / 18 55-77 66-60-6 + - Smoak is on the paternity list but is expected to rejoin the team for Sunday's game against the Rays.
Randal Grichuk (RF) Late May Knee - 30 / 04 / 18 58-77 68-60-7 + - Grichuk has been placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain and is expected to miss three weeks.
John Axford (RP) Out indefinitely Personal - 23 / 04 / 18 61-80 71-63-7 + - Axford has been placed on the bereavement list due to a death in the family and can miss a maximum of seven days.
Devon Travis (2B) Ques Sun Foot - 21 / 04 / 18 62-81 73-63-7 + - Travis sat out the last two games due to swelling in his left foot and it is unclear if he will be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Yankees.
Josh Donaldson (3B) Prob Thurs Shoulder - 13 / 04 / 18 66-83 76-65-8 + - Donaldson has been activated from the 10-day disabled list after recovering from inflammation in his right shoulder. He is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Indians.
Marco Estrada (SP) Prob Fri Back - 11 / 04 / 18 66-84 76-66-8 + - Estrada is battling lower-back spasms but is expected to make his next scheduled start Friday against the Yankees.
Kendrys Morales (DH) Prob Fri Hamstring - 09 / 04 / 18 68-84 78-66-8 + - Morales has landed on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain but is expected to be activated prior to Friday's game against the Yankees.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Adam Morgan (RP) Out indefinitely Back - 07 / 05 / 18 60-69 59-66-4 + - Morgan has been designated for the 10-day disabled list due to a back strain and will miss an undetermined length of time.
Scott Kingery (2B) Prob Fri Bicep - 01 / 05 / 18 63-71 61-69-4 + - Kingery sat out the previous game due to a biceps contusion but is expected to suit up Friday against the Nationals.
Victor Arano (RP) Out indefinitely Shoulder - 30 / 04 / 18 63-72 62-69-4 + - Arano is on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right rotator cuff and there is no timetable for recovery.
J.P. Crawford (SS) Mid May Forearm - 28 / 04 / 18 64-73 63-70-4 + - Crawford has landed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain and is likely to miss two weeks.
Ben Lively (SP) Out indefinitely Back - 27 / 04 / 18 65-74 65-70-4 + - Lively has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower-back strain and there is no definitive timetable for his return.
Carlos Santana (1B) Ques Wed Rest - 18 / 04 / 18 68-78 67-73-6 + - Santana is not expected to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Braves as he will get his first day of rest for the season.
Rhys Hoskins (LF) Ques Wed Rest - 11 / 04 / 18 71-81 69-77-6 + - Hoskins is unlikely to partake in Wednesday's game against the Reds as he is to be rested.
Pat Neshek (RP) Mid May Shoulder - 29 / 03 / 18 - - + - Neshek has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain and is likely to be out until the middle of May.
Tommy Hunter (RP) Ques Sun Hamstring - 26 / 03 / 18 - - + - Hunter is on the 10-day disabled list with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He is lining up to be activated prior to Sunday's game against the Pirates.
Mark Leiter Jr. (RP) Mid May Forearm - 20 / 03 / 18 - - + - Leiter has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a mild flexor strain in his right arm and is likely to remain on the DL until the middle of May.
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Weather
temp 84 condition cloudy wind Out to Center 15mph