Josh Donaldson has had success against Saturday afternoon's starter for Phildelphia. Can he help the Blue Jays snap out of their slump?
The Toronto Blue Jays haven’t won a series since the start of May. Will that change this weekend in Philadelphia? Game 2 of the three-game interleague set is Saturday afternoon.
Blue Jays vs. Phillies Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 26 May 8:51am | TOR | -1.5 +100 | O +8.5 -130 |
Closing 26 May 6:31pm | TOR | -1.5 -110 | O +8.5 -120 |
The Blue Jays’ last series victory was April 30-May 2 at the Twins. Toronto is 0-5-2 in the seven series since. It’s the first time the team has gone winless in seven straight series since April 3-27 last year. Toronto had the third-best May record in 2017 but has the second-worst so far this year.
Toronto will activate veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia off the disabled list to start in this MLB matchup. Garcia (2-3, 6.28) last pitched May 15 and was shelled for six runs in just 3.2 innings of a blowout loss at the Mets. He then went on the shelf with shoulder inflammation but felt good after a side session Thursday and will miss just one start. Garcia has been ghastly in four road starts with a 1-2 record and 9.68 ERA (compared to 3.43 in four home starts). He is 3-5 with a 2.92 ERA in 12 career appearances (10 starts) vs. the Phillies.
Philadelphia’s ace is 24-year-old Aaron Nola, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Nola (6-2, 2.37) is among the NL leaders in wins, innings (64.2), ERA and WHIP (1.02). He has surrendered more than four earned just once all season and it was last Sunday in St. Louis when he gave up four runs over six. He had been 5-0 in his previous five outings with a 1.83 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 34.1 innings. At home this season, the right-hander is 5-0 with a 2.06 ERA. He hasn’t faced an American League team in 2018. Nola is 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA in two career starts vs. Toronto. The Phils have won 13 of his past 16 overall at home.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto has played Philadelphia almost annually since interleague play began. The Jays won last season’s series 3-1 and haven’t lost one to the Phillies since 2011; the teams have played every year since 2006 but 2013. The clubs of course met in the playoffs once, the memorable (for Phillies fans) 1993 World Series. The Jays entered this series 1-1 in interleague play this year, splitting two at the Mets from May 15-16 (we correctly predicted the winning side in each game). Josh Donaldson is 3-for-3 career off Nola with a homer. Kendrys Morales is 1-for-2 with a homer and three RBIs, but he’s likely not starting with no designated hitter available in the NL park for this MLB matchup. Toronto has lost six Saturday games in a row.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies entered the series with the National League’s best home record at 18-7. It’s the best 25-game start in the history of Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia has the NL’s best overall record since starting the year 1-4. Last May, the Phils were just 6-22 but already have doubled that win total this month. The team should finish with its first winning May since 2012. Since 2013, the Phillies haven’t had a single month finishing at least six games over .500 (15-10 in April). Odubel Herrera, the Phillies’ leading hitter by far, has seen Garcia the most of anyone on the team and is 3-for-10 with a double. No Philadelphia batter has homered against the southpaw.
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 | + - |
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. |
Weather

temp | 88 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | Left to Right 11mph |
Blue Jays vs. Phillies Prediction
-
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2 -
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
7
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 26 May 8:51am TOR -1.5 +100 O +8.5 -130 Closing 26 May 6:31pm TOR -1.5 -110 O +8.5 -120 -
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.
-
Weather
temp 88 condition cloudy wind Left to Right 11mph