The Toronto Blue Jays look to keep their win streak going in Pennsylvania when they face the reigning National League champion Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game series.
The Blue Jays enjoyed a day off Monday after completing a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Toronto won that series in convincing fashion, too, outscoring the reeling Bucs, 22-3.
Here’s a look at the Blue Jays-Phillies series.
Tuesday, 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Alek Manoah (1-2, 4.71 ERA) vs. Philadelphia RHP Aaron Nola (2-2, 4.64 ERA)
Wednesday, 4:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.86 ERA) vs. Philadelphia RHP Zack Wheeler (3-2, 4.26 ERA)
All games on Sportsnet ONE and SN NOW.
The Blue Jays (21-14) have been quite a streaky team in recent weeks.
Toronto followed up a five-game win streak with a five-game losing streak, capped with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
But after that setback, Toronto went into Pittsburgh and crushed the Pirates.
Yusei Kikuchi bounced back after a rough start in Boston, with 6.1 shutout innings on Sunday in a 10-1 win in the series finale. Kikuchi is now 5-0 with a 3.35 ERA this season after last year’s disastrous debut with the Blue Jays.
Whit Merrifield, who has earned the Blue Jays’ top job at second base, drove in the game’s first four runs — including three on a homer.
Brandon Belt, who had a horrid start to the season, showed signs of life, reaching base in eight of 10 plate appearances in the series.
The only bad news on the weekend was Vladmir Guerrero Jr. missing the last two games with a sore wrist. The Blue Jays hope their star first baseman can return on Tuesday.
The Blue Jays are third in the AL East and second in the wild-card race.
The Phillies (16-19) haven’t been able to carry over the momentum from last year’s run to the World Series.
Philly snapped a six-game losing streak with a 6-1 win over the red-hot Red Sox on Sunday.
Star Bryce Harper has now played five games since returning from Tommy John surgery. The 2021 NL MVP has looked pretty good, hitting .368 (7-for-19) with one homer.
Canadian manager Rob Thomson dropped struggling slugger Kyle Schwarber from leadoff to the No. 5 spot on Sunday, and the outfielder responded with a homer. He was in an 0-for-21 slump.
Former Blue Jay Taijuan Walker had his best start for Philly, giving up one run on three hits over six innings. Walker signed a four-year, $72-million contract with the Phillies this off-season.
The Phillies are fourth in the NL East and two games out of a wild-card spot.
Thomson and Blue Jays counterpart John Schneider both replaced fired managers last season and were named interim managers before getting that tag removed late last year.
Schneider’s debut as interim manager came last July 13 against the Phillies in Toronto – an 8-2 win.
The Phillies are 26th in team ERA at 5.03. That’s more than a run down from last season’s number of 3.97.
Tuesday’s opener features the opening-day starter for each team.
Neither Manoah or Nola have been at top form this season.
Nola, who has started the past six opening days for the Phillies, gave up four runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings last time out versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manoah allowed five runs (though only two earned) on eight hits in five innings in his last start against the Red Sox.
The Blue Jays went 3-1 against the Phillies last year.
The Blue Jays have an off-day Thursday before starting a three-game series at home against the National League-leading Atlanta Braves.
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