The Toronto Blue Jays head to South Philadelphia for a two-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In September, the Fightins will fly out to Canada for a two-game return series against the Blue Jays as a part of a four-game split series.
The Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants. They have won of six in a row, 10 straight at Citizens Bank Park, and 11 straight against the National League West.
Currently, the Phillies have the best record in all of Major League Baseball, holding a three-game lead in the National League East. They’re averaging 4.9 runs per game with a +45 run differential.
The Blue Jays come to the City of Brotherly Love after dropping a series against the Washington Nationals. Toronto began the season ice cold, only winning four out of 11 series. They average 3.7 runs per game with a -37 run differential. It serves as an explanation as to why they’re dead last in the AL East.
Toronto is looking for a spark to get their season on track. The Phillies are red hot, benefiting from defeating some weaker opponents. The Phils racked up a lot of strikeouts in the last week and will need better plate discipline to beat some good starting pitching this series. – Editors Note, Matt Watson
Pitching Matchups
Cristopher Sánchez goes toe-to-toe with Jose Berrios in the series’ first game. Sánchez had back-to-back subpar performances, allowing nine runs (five earned) in eight total innings pitched. Not good, but that hasn’t been “the norm” for him to start the season. Berrios is a highlight for the Blue Jays, not allowing more than two runs (earned or unearned) in any outing.
Aaron Nola gets the ball for the Phillies in the second game against Chris Bassitt. Nola is having a good start to the season, but he’s still giving up a home run almost every game. His stat line is still inflated from his first start against the Atlanta Braves.
Nola has to keep the ball in the yard against a powerful Jays lineup. Last season, Nola started at home against Toronto. He went six innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, and a homerun to Bo Bichette. – Editors Note, Matt Watson
Bassitt is not having a good start to the year. He has a 5.45 ERA but has only allowed six home runs all season.
After this two-game series, the Phillies head south to Miami.
Phillies-Blue Jays History
The Phillies have some history with the Blue Jays, most notably losing to them in the 1993 World Series.
The Blue Jays historically play the Phillies well, posting a 43-31 record against the Fightins. The Phillies are the significantly better team this year, though.
Can the Phillies get a quick two-game sweep? I believe so. The Blue Jays offense has struggled to start the season and the Phillies are off to their hottest start since 2010. They face great pitching, but they should be able to get a split at minimum.
Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
