Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 8/24/2018 Prediction & Preview
The Blue Jays have owned the Phillies in previous meetings but will Toronto secure a victory on Friday night when Philadelphia comes to town?
Game Snapshot & Odds
975 Philadelphia Phillies at 976 Toronto Blue Jays
Friday, August 24, 2018
7:07 p.m. ET, Rogers Centre
TV: PHI (NBCSP); TOR (SNET)
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Phillies are -130 favorites for tonight’s game. As of this writing, 74% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Phillies to beat the Blue Jays on the money line.
Phillies’ Arrieta allows one run in loss to Mets in his last start
Jake Arrieta gave up only one run in six innings of work but that was enough to take a loss against the Mets on Saturday. A bloop single by Wilmer Flores drove in Jeff McNeil in the fourth inning to spell Arrieta’s demise in the tight ballgame. The veteran right-hander struck out six batters without issuing a walk and surrendered just four knocks in the quality start. The tough-luck loss drops his record to 9-8 despite a fine 3.25 ERA after 24 starts. His 101:42 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 138 1/3 innings is not very inspiring, however, although he’s done a good job of keeping the ball in the yard (12 homers allowed on the season). He lines up for an interleague matchup with the Blue Jays on Friday.
Blue Jays’ Borucki unable to escape the first inning vs. Yankees
Ryan Borucki retired just two batters in Sunday’s start versus the Yankees, getting charged with six runs in an ugly performance. The first six batters Borucki faced in this one all reached base, as he walked the first two guys he faced before allowing three singles and a grand slam to Greg Bird. The left-hander then retired the next two hitters but Blue Jays manager John Gibbons decided that was enough. Borucki has shown some flashes with the big club but has now posted three straight clunkers. He can’t be trusted next weekend against the Phillies.
MLB Betting Trends
Philadelphia
The Phillies have lost four of five overall and 10 of 14 on the road.
Toronto
The Blue Jays are a perfect 4-0 in their last four home games and are 5-1 in their last six games coming off a win.
Prediction:
The Phillies are 2-8 in their last 10 games played in Toronto and 1-5 in their last six games versus the Blue Jays overall. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have won four of Borucki’s last five starts and are 4-1 in his last five outings when he’s coming off four days of rest.
The Pick: Toronto Blue Jays +110
