PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY AFTERNOON ANNIHILATION >> BLOWOUT COMING
(MLB) Toronto vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: 103.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: 103.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Philadelphia's Aaron Nola took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and Nick Williams belted his third pinch-hit HR of the season in the eighth inning of Saturday's 2-1 win by the Phillies over the Blue Jays. Philadelphia has now alternated wins and losses over its last eight games on the heels of a 7-1 stretch. However, the Phillies find themselves atop the NL East this late in the season for the first time since they won the division back in 2011. The main reason being, Philadelphia's NL-best 19 home wins (eight losses). The 29-20 Phillies look to continue their winning ways at home this afternoon when they wrap up this three-game IL series against the Blue Jays. Toronto checks in at 24-28, after dropping 10 of its last 13.
The pitching matchup: J.A. Happ (6-3, 3.97 ERA) will get the start for Toronto and Nick Pivetta (4-2, 3.23 ERA) goes for Philadelphia. The Phillies drafted Happ and he spent parts of three seasons with them. The now 35-year-old recorded his second straight victory this past Tuesday, permitting two runs on three hits in seven innings of a 5-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels. Happ fanned just five batters in that contest but is averaging a career-high 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Happ has been a reliable arm for the Blue Jays this season, pitching at least six innings in six of his 10 outings (Toronto is 7-3) with a 1.10 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 59 innings. Pivetta has answered a disastrous start on May 4 (got just three outs while allowing six ERs in a 7-3 loss at Washington!) with three straight victories, highlighted by Monday's performance in which he scattered four hits over seven innings in a 3-0 triumph versus Atlanta. He has allowed just one run on 10 hits while striking out 25 batters against two walks during his winning streak (0.73 ERA).
The pick: Pivetta will make his first career appearance versus Toronto. Yes. Philly has been terrific at home but Happ will be making his 20th career start and 30th appearance at Citizens Bank Park, facing the team he debuted with in 2007. He has dominated the team with which he spent parts of three seasons, posting a 4-0 career mark with a 1.11 ERA while limiting Philadelphia to a .174 batting average. Make Toronto an 8*.
The pitching matchup: J.A. Happ (6-3, 3.97 ERA) will get the start for Toronto and Nick Pivetta (4-2, 3.23 ERA) goes for Philadelphia. The Phillies drafted Happ and he spent parts of three seasons with them. The now 35-year-old recorded his second straight victory this past Tuesday, permitting two runs on three hits in seven innings of a 5-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels. Happ fanned just five batters in that contest but is averaging a career-high 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings this season. Happ has been a reliable arm for the Blue Jays this season, pitching at least six innings in six of his 10 outings (Toronto is 7-3) with a 1.10 WHIP and 71 strikeouts in 59 innings. Pivetta has answered a disastrous start on May 4 (got just three outs while allowing six ERs in a 7-3 loss at Washington!) with three straight victories, highlighted by Monday's performance in which he scattered four hits over seven innings in a 3-0 triumph versus Atlanta. He has allowed just one run on 10 hits while striking out 25 batters against two walks during his winning streak (0.73 ERA).
The pick: Pivetta will make his first career appearance versus Toronto. Yes. Philly has been terrific at home but Happ will be making his 20th career start and 30th appearance at Citizens Bank Park, facing the team he debuted with in 2007. He has dominated the team with which he spent parts of three seasons, posting a 4-0 career mark with a 1.11 ERA while limiting Philadelphia to a .174 batting average. Make Toronto an 8*.
