Friday MLB Interleague Betting – Phillies vs Blue Jays Preview & Pick
The prophecies of the Philadelphia Phillies riding the Phantastic Phour pitching staff to glory have absolutely come true so far this season.
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MLB Gambling Online – Philadelphia Phillies vs. Toronto Blue Jays Preview & Pick
Date: Friday, July 1, 2011
Venue: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Broadcast: CSN, RSN
Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money line: Jays -151
Over//Under: 8
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Philadelphia Phillies (51-30 through June 29)
Kyle Kendrick (4-4, 3.23)
Roy Halladay remains the best pitcher on the planet. The supremely underrated Cole Hamels has been just as good this season. Cliff Lee has become godlike again, throwing three straight complete-game shutouts. Roy Oswalt has been solid when healthy.
Heck, even Kyle friggin’ Kendrick has a 3.23 ERA. Is he smoke and mirrors? His 19 strikeouts in 47.1 innings are comically bad.
But he’s somehow eating quality innings when called upon for the odd spot start. He’s only pitched one inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in his career.
Toronto Blue Jays (40-41 through June 29)
Ricky Romero (7-7, 2.74)
The Toronto Blue Jays just can’t seem to put all their skills together as they struggle to keep up with the juggernauts of the American League East. Early this season, they (especially Jose Bautista) mashed the ball but couldn’t get any help from their pitchers. Lately, the Jays’ arms have caught fire while their bats have gone cold.
Even the mighty Bautista has been average of late, batting .267 with four homers in June after hitting at least .360 with at least nine homers in April and May.
It’s no wonder Ricky Romero has created tension between the Jays’ pitchers and hitters by complaining about run support. In three of his last four losses, he allowed three earned runs or fewer. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
He finished June with a 2.50 ERA but went 2-3 for the month.
MLB Trends:
Under is 13-3-1 in PHI last 17 on astroturf.
Under is 12-3-1 in PHI last 16 interleague games.
PHI are 14-5 in their last 19 overall.
Under is 12-3 in TOR last 15 overall.
Under is 10-3 in TOR last 13 interleague games.
TOR are 3-8 in their last 11 games on astroturf.
MLB pick:
Romero is just 2-4 in day games but this one should be special at Rogers Centre. It’s Canada Day and the building will be packed. The Jays’ ace doesn’t pick his spots, having tossed games against the Yankees (twice), Rays, Braves and Cardinals this season, so the Phillies shouldn’t scare him too much.
Most of the Phillies’ power also comes from the left side of the plate and the lefty Romero has allowed just three homers to lefties this season.
Kendrick is due to lay an egg, isn’t he? He’s just not that good. He’s traditionally been a homer-prone pitcher and the Jays still have the power to hit them in bunches.
They’re due to break out of their slump.
Look for Bautista and Adam Lind to lead the Blue Jays past the Phillies on Canada Day.
Phillies vs Blue Jays prediction: Blue Jays 5, Phillies 3
