The Philadelphia Phillies (16-19) host the Toronto Blue Jays (21-14) at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday for the first of a two-game Interleague series. The Blue Jays are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip.
They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Pirates, taking the finale 10-1 on Sunday at PNC Park. Brandon Belt was 3 for 4 with a double and two runs. Daulton Varsho added a home run and a double. He drove in two runs.
The Phillies lost two of three against the Red Sox in their last series, taking the finale 6-1 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Kyle Schwarber went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Blue Jays won three of the four games between the teams, although they split their most recent two-game series at Citizens Bank Park in September.
ON THE MOUND
Alek Manoah (1-2, 4.71 ERA) is in line to get the start for Toronto. The right-hander allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings in his last start, an 8-3 road defeat against the Red Sox on Wednesday. He was charged with the loss, giving up eight hits while striking out three and walking one.
Right-hander Aaron Nola (2-2, 4.64 ERA) is on the mound for Philadelphia. In his last start on Wednesday, Nola took a no-decision on the road against the Dodgers. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out five, in the 10-6 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The Toronto offense is averaging 4.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .261/.336/.420. Matt Chapman leads the team in OPS at 1.038. The shortstop is slashing .349/.434/.603 with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and 20 runs over 34 games.
Over the last five games, however, Toronto has averaged 6.0 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.287/.355/.497). Against righties like Nola this season, the Jays have a .759 OPS.
Chapman also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .927 OPS in 94 at-bats. Philadelphia is slashing .266/.322/.430 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game.
Brandon Marsh leads the team with a .980 OPS. The outfield has four home runs, 14 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .314/.402/.578.
The Phils have a .769 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .948 OPS over 74 at-bats, Marsh also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 12-11 in 2023. The Jays have scored 5.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs.
Philadelphia has gone 9-7 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 meetings at Citizens Bank Park, each club has won five, though Toronto has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.0-4.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, seven games behind the division-leading Rays. The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
