Blue Jays vs Phillies Pick: Phils Send Wheeler Looking for Sweep (Jun 15)

• Our Blue Jays vs Phillies pick analyzes Philly sends ace Zack Wheeler to the mound against Jose Berrios, trying to complete a 3-game sweep
• Philadelphia is in 2nd place in the NL East at 41-29
• Toronto is 38-43, 2nd in the AL East and trying to creep up on the 1st place Yankees
• Jose Berrios starts for the Blue Jays with the best bWAR among their starters at 1.8

Jays Send Berrios to Prevent Sweep

The Blue Jays arrived in Philadelphia having won 12 of 14 to jump back into playoff contention and get close to the top of the AL East. However, they have lost the first two games of their series in Philadelphia. Jose Berrios will take the mound trying to prevent the sweep.

The veteran rightly leads Toronto starters in bWAR at 1.8. In 14 starts, he has thrown 82.2 innings, given up 71 hits, allowed 31 earned runs, walked 32, and struck out 71. His record is only 2-2 despite the solid numbers.

In his last three starts over 18.2 innings, he has allowed 1 earned run and 10 hits.

For the Phillies, Nick Castellanos is 9 for 23 with a double and 2 home runs against Berrios. Bryson Stott is 3 for 8 with a home run. Brandon Marsh is 2 for 9 with a double.

As has been the case all season, the Blue Jays still need to get their key bats going, particularly in the power department. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. only have 8 homers each. George Springer leads the club with 10. Philly pitching has held them to 2 runs in the first two games of the series.

Wheeler is Having Another All-Star Season

Zack Wheeler tries to pitch his Phillies to a 3-game sweep. In 13 starts, the Philly ace has a 2.85 ERA, striking out 101 in 82 innings. He’s allowed 55 hits and 26 earned runs. The righty is likely heading for another All-Star nod and contention for the Cy Young Award.

Wheeler rebounded from a poor start against the Braves on May 29 by tossing 6 innings and giving up 1 run in his last start against the Cubs.

Philly seems to have righted itself against Toronto after losing eight of 10 before the series. Kyle Schwarber has a .915 OPS and 22 home runs. They are without Bryce Harper, who is dealing with a wrist injury. J.T. Realmuto continues to struggle with a .237 batting average and 5 home runs.

The Phillies’ bullpen is struggling and is still without Jose Alvarado, suspended for PED use.

Blue Jays vs Phillies Pick: Wheeler Will Pitch the Phillies to the Sweep

Berrios has pitched very well lately, but the Phillies appear to have righted their ship after an extended slump. They have gained ground on the Mets in the past two days and will complete the sweep of the Blue Jays behind their ace righty, Wheeler.