Free MLB Picks Today: Philadelphia Phillies vs Toronto Blue Jays 9/20/22

The Toronto Blue Jays (83-64) take one of the most productive offenses in the American League on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (80-66) at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday for the first of a two-game Interleague series. The Blue Jays are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up an eight-game homestand (5-3). They won two out of three in their last series against the Orioles, dropping the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Rogers Centre. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 2 for 3 with a solo home run and a double, extending his hit streak to 12 games. Danny Jansen added a solo home run and two walks. The Phillies are back home for a six-game homestand after returning from a difficult six-game road trip (2-4). They are coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Braves, dropping the finale 5-2 on Sunday at Truist Park for their fourth straight loss. J.T. Realmuto went 1 for 1 with a solo home run. Alec Bohm added a solo home run.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Blue Jays have won all two games this season between the teams, including an 8-2 victory in their most recent meeting on July 13 at Rogers Centre. Ross Stripling went seven innings to get the win, giving up two runs (0 ER) on two hits.

ON THE MOUND

Stripling (8-4, 2.94 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Toronto. The righty allowed one run over 6.1 innings in his last start, a 5-1 road win over the Rays on Wednesday. He earned the win, giving up three hits while striking out four and walking one. Stripling has made one previous start against the Phillies this season, an 8-2 home victory on July 13. He surrendered two runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out six. For Philadelphia, righty Kyle Gibson (10-6, 4.45 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Blue Jays. Gibson made one start against the Blue Jays in 2021, throwing six innings for the Rangers in a 2-1 home win on April 7. He gave up six hits and walked one, while striking out eight in the win. In his last start on Wednesday, Gibson got the win on the road against the Marlins. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out seven, in the 6-1 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Toronto offense is averaging 4.7 runs per game for the season, second best in the American League, with a slash line of .261/.326/.426. Guerrero Jr. leads the team in OPS at .835. The first baseman is slashing .281/.346/.490 with 29 home runs, 85 RBIs, and 83 runs over 146 games. Against righties like Gibson this season, the Jays have a .758 OPS, second highest in MLB. Guerrero Jr. also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .858 OPS in 477 at-bats. Philadelphia is slashing .254/.317/.425 for the season and averaging 4.7 runs per game. Realmuto leads the team with ann .812 OPS. The catcher has 19 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 68 runs scored with a slash line of .269/.342/.470. Philadelphia is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.206/.276/.394). The Phils have a .725 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .845 OPS over 341 at-bats, Kyle Schwarber has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Toronto is 40-32 in away games in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 3.9 runs. Philadelphia has won three in a row at Citizens Bank Park. The Phils are 44-31 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. 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 5.0-4.2.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Blue Jays are second in the AL East, five games behind the division-leading Yankees. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first. The Phillies are third in the NL East, 12 games behind the Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.