Toronto (83-64) at Philadelphia (80-66)
When: Tuesday, September 20th 2022
Where: Citizens Bank Park,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 6:45 ET | TV: MLB.tv
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -110/8
Two teams looking to make the postseason will begin a two-game interleague series on Tuesday night, as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Toronto Blue Jays. For the Phillies, a postseason berth is not a guarantee after losing each of their last four games, including a three-game at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Philadelphia now sits in the third and final wild card spot in the National League, just two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers entering Monday’s action. The offense is to blame for the recent skid, scoring just 10 runs in the last four games and going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in Sunday’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta. Rhys Hoskins returned to the lineup Sunday after dealing with a sore right hand, but went 0-for-4, although Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto each hit home runs.
A postseason berth is almost a certainty for the Blue Jays, who lead the AL wild card race and are six games clear of the last team out with 15 games to play. Despite a 5-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, the Jays have been red-hot. Toronto is now 13-5 in September and are only 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East standings. Right-hander Jordan Romano blew the save opportunity as the Orioles scored three times in the ninth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed his 29th homer of the season and was 2-for-3 with two walks. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is eligible to return from a left hamstring injury, but the team has yet to make an announcement. Toronto won both games against Philadelphia at home prior to the All-Star Break.
Pitchers: Blue Jays – Ross Stripling (8-4, 2.94) | Phillies – Kyle Gibson (10-6, 4.45)
Ross Stripling will get the nod for Toronto and is coming off a strong outing against Tampa Bay. The righty allowed three hits and one run in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-1 win. Stripling is 2-0 with a 4.08 ERA in nine career appearances (six starts) against the Phillies, mostly when he was with the L.A. Dodgers.
Kyle Gibson was also solid in his most recent outing last Wednesday. The former Ranger allowed six hits and one run over six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks in the team’s 6-1 win at the Miami Marlins. Gibson is 5-1 with a 4.14 ERA in 10 starts against Toronto, but this will be his first as a Phillie.
The Phillies have been struggling recently on the road, but have been solid at home, winning 20 of the last 27 at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves have been a lot of trouble for Philly this year, so I’m not taking much into the weekend sweep. The pitching matchup is about even in my opinion, so I’ll take the home team here.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free MLB Picks page for today.
Pick: Phillies +105
