Hot-hitting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be looking to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Toronto Blue Jays (84-64) match up against the Philadelphia Phillies (80-67) at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday with the visitors looking for a sweep of the two-game Interleague series. The Blue Jays took Tuesday’s series opener 18-11, their fifth straight head-to-head victory, including all three games this season. Zach Pop threw two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to get the win. Teoscar Hernandez was 4 for 5 with two doubles, three runs, and one RBI in the win. Matt Chapman added a home run and a double. He scored three runs and drove in three. J.T. Realmuto went 5 for 5 with a home run and a double for the Phillies. He scored two runs and drove in two. Dalton Guthrie added a home run and two RBIs, walking twice.
ON THE MOUND
Kevin Gausman (12-10, 3.45 ERA) is slated for the start for Toronto. The RHP allowed five runs over seven innings in his last start, an 11-0 home defeat against the Rays on Thursday. He took the loss, giving up six hits while striking out seven and walking one. Gausman is making his first appearance against the Phillies this season. Gausman made one start against the Phillies in 2021, a 2-0 road victory for the Giants on April 19. He allowed six hits over six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking four. For Philadelphia, RHP Zack Wheeler (11-7, 3.07 ERA) is on the mound. He has made one prior start against the Blue Jays this season, giving up six runs over 4.2 innings in an 8-2 road defeat on July 13. He gave up seven hits and walked one, while striking out four in the loss. In his last start on August 20, Wheeler took the loss at home against the Mets. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out six and walking four in the 8-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Toronto has averaged 6.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.8, while slashing better across the board (.284/.337/.489). Against right-handed pitchers like Wheeler this season, the Jays have a .762 OPS, second highest in the league. Alejandro Kirk is the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .390 OBP in 482 at-bats. Philadelphia is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.7 for the season. The Phils have a .729 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .855 OPS over 345 at-bats, Kyle Schwarber has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Toronto is 41-32 in road games in 2022, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 4.0 runs. Philadelphia has gone 44-32 at their home park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. Toronto is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 6.4-4.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Toronto Blue Jays are in second place of 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, 13 games behind the Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
