MLB Baseball
2012-06-16 - Philadelphia Phillie at Toronto Blue Jays
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: Major League Baseball
Saturday 16 June 2012 - First Pitch 1:07pm ET
6:07pm (British Standard Time)
Preview
This is game 2 of an Inter-League series between the Toronto Blue Jays (32-32) and the Philadelphia Phillies (31-35) following a win in game 1 for the Blue Jays. Both teams have been struggling with injuries and both could find themselves falling away in their respective Divisions if they are not too careful.
Toronto lost yet another starting pitcher yesterday, although they did stop a run of 1-6 with their win yesterday. The will be hoping the win yesterday is the start of a streak as they give the ball to Ricky Romero who is 7-1 with a 4.15 ERA this season.
However, Romero is coming off a real struggle when he gave up 4 runs and he was hooked in favour of a pinch hitter in the 5th inning in what ended up being a win for the Blue Jays against the Atlanta Braves. Romero did not factor into that decision and will be hoping he continues to get the run support from the offense that he has so far this season.
Toronto have provided him 7.54 runs per game so far this season, but they have been struggling to get a lot going recently. In fact, the Blue Jays have scored 3 runs or fewer in 7 of their last 8 games.
Whether the Philadelphia Phillies can take advantage of that is the big question as they give the ball to Cliff Lee who is yet to register a win this season. Lee is 0-3 with a 3.18 ERA, but has only been supported by an average of 2.55 runs per game, although he couldn't hold on to a better offensive production in his last start.
On that occasion, the Phillies jumped out to a 4-1 lead against the Baltimore Orioles, but Lee couldn't hold on and Philadelphia eventually succumbed in extra innings.
Lee has struggled in his Inter-League starts this season, going 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA in two games.
Head to Head
Toronto took the first game of the series, although Philadelphia are still 6-3 in their last 9 visits to this ballpark.
The Blue Jays are 17-15 at home this season while the Phillies are 19-16 on the road.
Toronto are 13-11 in day games this season, Philadelphia are 7-14.
Prediction
Tough game to predict with both teams being priced at pick 'em in the contest, but I do like the Phillies to take the game and level the series.
Cliff Lee has pitched well for the most part and I think he will be able to hold on if the Phillies provide him some runs, while I believe Ricky Romero is solid but a little flattered by his record on the year.
With the Blue Jays struggling a touch at the plate, there is every chance Romero is not going to get the run support he has enjoyed this season and so the Phillies look the call.
The Pick :
Toronto Blue Jays 2-3 Philadelphia Phillies
