Phillies vs. Blue Jays Preview: Odds, Pitching Matchup, and Props for Aug. 7

The Phillies are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays for an interleague series starting at 6:40 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7. After winning five of their last six games the Phillies (62-54) look to keep their momentum rolling against the reigning American League champions… a club that has struggled mightily with consistency this season. The Blue Jays (54-62) have struggled to a 6-4 record over their last ten games. As per usual. NBC Sports Philadelphia holds the rights to tonight’s telecast.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Toronto Blue Jays +182 / Philadelphia Phillies -216
• Run Line: Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 (-119) / Philadelphia Phillies -1.5 (-101)
• Over/Under: 8 (Over -111 / Under -109)

Weather

Temperatures should sit around 85 degrees at first pitch, with a 15 percent chance of thunderstorms and rain between 6 and 8 p.m. leaving the scheduled start time in danger. Humidity will start around 70 percent and soar toward the upper 80s, although rain could relieve some of the clammy feel. An 8 to 15 mile per hour cross breeze will start to blow due south as the game goes on, potentially knocking down fly balls before they leave the yard.

Pitching Matchup

The Toronto Blue Jays will send recent trade acquisition and right-handed pitcher José Soriano (3.29 ERA, 123 innings pitched, 1.25 WHIP and 9.29 K/9) to the mound for his first start with his new team. The Phillies will counter with their ace, Zack Wheeler (2.49 ERA, 105.0 innings pitched, 0.91 WHIP and 10.8 K/9).

Phillies vs. José Soriano

Seven active Philadelphia Phillies batters have squared off against Toronto starter José Soriano, posting a .333 batting average (9-for-27). Drawing on his time in the American League, Luis Arraez has seen Soriano the most of any Phillie, logging nine at-bats and boasting a stellar .444 batting average (4-for-10) alongside a .556 slugging percentage. Trea Turner has also done significant damage with a single and a triple in five at-bats.

As a team, the Phillies have two walks, both from Bryson Stott, and just five strikeouts against Soriano: regardless of who wins the at-bat, it tends to end with contact made.

Props

Zack Wheeler’s strikeout totals are a prop to monitor carefully in this game: his last start ended early due to rain, while he left with reported nausea after three innings the game before that. While they make solid contact against Wheeler (25-for-107), the Blue Jays have just two career homers against the right-hander.

Luis Arraez’s longer history with Soriano makes his total bases props another market to target, but keep in mind he doesn’t hit for power.

Tidbits

• The Phillies have a 31-28 (.525) record at home.
• Toronto holds a 26-31 (.456) record on the road.
• The Under has been a steady lean for both sides in these specific situations, cashing in 49.4% of Philadelphia’s games as a favorite and 50.9% of Toronto’s matchups as an underdog.