Preview: Phillies head to Canada for a quick 2-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays

The Philadelphia Phillies will head north of the border for a two-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Phillies finished a 10-game homestand with a 6-4 record after stumbling over the finish line, dropping 2 of 3 to the Minnesota Twins.

Sunday’s finale was a tough pill to swallow. If you want that recap, check it out here

After finally reaching a single-digit deficit in the National League East standings (9.5 games) to the Braves, they now sit 11.5 games behind Atlanta at 65-54 on the season.

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As always, the Hunt for Red October continues in the NL Wild Card

Even after losing two straight games, the Phillies remain in the first Wild Card spot with a 2.5 game advantage over the Giants and Marlins.

San Francisco is just 3-7 over their last 10 games, while the Marlins have won three straight to reclaim the third and final spot in the postseason.

2 Games North of the Border

Tonight, the Phillies will open up a 2-game series in Toronto. The Blue Jays are 66-54 on the season and in third place in the AL East behind the Orioles and Rays.

In the AL Wild Card, Toronto currently holds the third and final spot behind the Astros and Rays.

Phillies vs Blue Jays: Starting Pitching Matchups

Zack Wheeler (9-5, 3.75 ERA) vs Yusei Kikuchi (9-4, 3.53 ERA)

Aaron Nola (9-8, 4.49 ERA) vs Kevin Gausman (9-6, 3.04 ERA)

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Wheeler vs Kikuchi

Zack Wheeler will take the mound tonight. On May 10th against the Blue Jays, Wheeler allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven over seven innings of work. Over his last 5 starts, the Phillies’ ace has allowed three or fewer runs while boasting a 155:25 K:BB ratio in 2023.

Kikuchi has been fantastic all season for the Blue Jays. He held the Guardians to one run on three hits with six strikeouts in his last start (7.0 IP) and has held five straight opponents to one or no runs and has 12 starts this season.

Trending Upwards 📈📈📈

Turner Finally Arrives: On a 10-game homestand that began with standing ovations for Trea Turner, the Phillies $300 million shortstop went on to record at least one hit in all 10 games. Turner went 17-for-39 (.436) with eight extra-base hits (including two home runs), 10 RBIs and a 1.207 OPS during that stretch.

The Best Catcher in Baseball: Another important part of the Phillies lineup, JT Realmuto, has shown signs of a resurgence over the past two weeks. In the last 15 games, the BCIB is slashing .275/.367/.490 with three home runs, nine RBI, and seven walks.

Hittin’ Season: The Phillies lineup is slashing .269/.343/.493 with a .836 OPS in the month of August, scoring 5.8 runs per game.

TEAM	SPREAD	MONEY	TOTAL
Philadelphia Phillies	-1.5 (+142)	-118	O 8
Toronto Blue Jays	+1.5 (-172)	+120	U 8

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I’m all-in on the Phillies winning tonight. Kikuchi is a great pitcher but has a rough history earlier this season letting up home runs, allowing 15 over his first 11 starts.