The Toronto Blue Jays (21-15) are on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (17-19) at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the two-game Interleague series. The Phillies took Tuesday’s series opener 8-4.
Starter Aaron Nola went six innings to get the win, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out six. Nick Castellanos went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win.
He scored two runs and drove in two. Brandon Marsh added a double, one run, and two RBIs, walking twice. Bo Bichette was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double for the Blue Jays. He had two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.86 ERA) is in line for the start for Toronto. The RHP is tied for third in the AL in strikeouts (58). Gausman allowed eight runs over 3.1 innings in his last start, an 11-5 home defeat against the Red Sox on Thursday.
He took the loss, yielding 10 hits while striking out four and walking one.Gausman is making his first appearance against the Phillies this season.
Gausman made one start against the Phillies in 2022, a 4-3 road loss on September 21. He allowed five hits over six scoreless innings, striking out eight and walking two.
RHP Zack Wheeler (3-2, 4.26 ERA) will toe the rubber for Philadelphia. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays.
Wheeler made two appearances against the Blue Jays in 2022, both starts, striking out seven and walking one over 8.2 innings (0-1, 6.23). In his last start on Friday, Wheeler took the loss at home against the Red Sox. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up five runs (4 ER) on seven hits, striking out five, in the 5-3 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 6.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.9, while performing better across the board (.293/.360/.486). Against righties like Wheeler this season, the Jays have a .756 OPS.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the team’s most powerful hitter against right-handers with a .542 SLG in 97 at-bats. Philadelphia is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.4 for the season, with a higher on-base percentage (.337 vs .325).
The Phils have a .772 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .975 OPS over 76 at-bats, Marsh has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 12-12 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Philadelphia has gone 10-7 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. Philadelphia is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.4-5.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Rays. The Phillies are third in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
