Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
The Philadelphia Phillies’ strong play lately has translated to them being favourites, with certain sportsbooks pinning them at -130. Check back for Sports Interaction’s Interleague odds as they develop.
Betting Analysis
These teams did play in the first half of the season in Philadelphia, and the Phils swept that two-game set by scores of 8-4 and 2-1 in 10 innings. That the Phils get to visit Canada’s lone MLB team as well this season is probably a welcome thing for Manager Rob Thomson, the only Canadian big-league manager (from Sarnia).
The Phillies were a wild card team last year that made it all the way to the World Series, losing to the Houston Astros. They are going to have to make it back there this fall via the same route because Atlanta is going to clinch the NL East Division probably the first week of September. The Phillies do lead the NL wild card race so they should get in barring some major injuries/slumps.
Phillies star and former two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper is a bit unrecognizable these days because offseason Tommy John surgery seems to have sapped his power. Harper only has eight homers. It’s also why he can’t play the outfield.
Philadelphia Phillies
This will be Philadelphia’s first road game since Aug. 3, and the team is 31-30 away compared to 34-24 at home. The Phils enter on a two-game skid as their offence went silent in the final two against the Minnesota Twins over the weekend. All-Star shortstop Trea Turner is starting to warm up finally as he has not played anywhere near expectations after signing a $300 million (US) free agent contract this winter. Turner was an MVP candidate last year with the Dodgers.
It’s ace right-hander Zack Wheeler (9-5, 3.74 ERA), a former NL Cy Young runner-up, on the mound. He has thrown six straight quality starts with a 3.03 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 43 strikeouts to just three walks in that span. Wheeler has five career starts vs. the Jays and is 0-2 with a 5.19 ERA. He allowed one run and three hits over seven on May 10 against Toronto. Brandon Belt is 6-for-20 off him with two homers a double and eight strikeouts. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a homer and double in seven at-bats.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays were able to avoid a home sweep at the hands of the Cubs and end a three-game skid overall on Sunday with an 11-4 victory to improve to 23-12 in interleague play this season. It was the eighth time Toronto scored double-digit runs this year but only second at home (June 25 vs. Oakland). Whit Merrifield stayed scoring hot by going 4-for-6 with two runs and a steal. His 40 hits since the All-Star break are the most in the AL and he’s batting .348 in his past 33 games.
Matt Chapman was scratched from the lineup due to inflammation in his right middle finger but with two days off likely will be back Tuesday. Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (9-4, 3.53 ERA) is on the mound. He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over his past four starts, allowing only three earned runs and has a 1.24 ERA since the All-Star break overall. Kikuchi has never faced the Phillies in regular-season play.
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