Last year’s World Series runner-up, the Philadelphia Phillies have been nothing but inconsistent this season, but their recent results may suggest they have found something to improve on as we head into the summer months.
Starting with the fact that the Phillies have won three games in a row, they are now 28-32 on the season and 4.0 games back in the crowded National League Wild-Card.
Their most recent win came on Monday night, where they beat the Detroit Tigers by a score of 8-3.
The most impressive part of this win was their starting pitcher, Aaron Nola. Nola had what was likely his best start of the season, going 7.0 innings, while striking out 12.
He even brought a no-hitter into the 7th inning, before allowing a three-run home run with two outs in the inning.
Because of an error earlier in the inning, no earned runs were charged to Nola, but because of the home run, it effectively ended Nola’s night and prevented him from a chance at history.
Now in terms of offense, the Phillies are averaging 4.33 runs per game overall, which ranks 18th in the MLB.
During their three-game win streak, the Phillies have almost doubled their offensive production, averaging 7.66 runs per game.
In terms of their overall pitching numbers, the Phillies as a whole rank 23rd in terms of team ERA, which is 4.51.
This area has also improved recently, and during their three-game win streak, they have allowed just 2.66 runs per game.
Granted, these games have come against the Nationals and Tigers, but regardless, it is a step in the right direction.
If you still believe the Philadelphia Phillies can turn their season around, you can get them at odds of +3000 to win the World Series, odds of +1500 to win the American League, +1600 to win the National League East division, and +170 to make the playoffs.
The Rays stay on top
The Tampa Bay Rays are having a sensational season so far, and that continued on Monday afternoon, as they beat the Boston Red Sox by a score of 4-1.
The Rays have now won three games in a row and are 4.5 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East.
The most significant part of this win on Monday was that Shane McClanahan picked up his MLB leading ninth win. He is now 9-1 on the season and has posted an ERA of 2.02, which currently ranks second in the league.
During their three-game win streak, the Rays’ offense has been producing an average of 4.66 runs per game, which is admittingly much lower than their 5.79 runs per game average overall.
However, during this streak, their pitching continues to be elite, allowing 1.66 runs per game.
The Tampa Bay Rays are +475 to win the World Series, odds of +260 to win the American League, -290 to win the American League East division, and -2500 to make the playoffs.
Blue Jays falling behind
The Toronto Blue Jays were expected to contend for a World Series this season and while they are 7-3 in their last 10 games, the manner in which they lost on Monday night has to raise some concern.
They were beaten handily by the Houston Astros, an 11-4 loss. The concerning part lies with their starting pitching, specifically Alex Manoah.
He is now 1-7 on the season and has an ERA of 6.36. In the game on Monday night, Manoah allowed six earned runs in the first inning and recorded just one out before being pulled.
Even with this disastrous effort from Manoah, the Blue Jays still rank ninth in pitching, with an overall team ERA of 3.90.
The loss puts them 9.5 games out of the American League East division lead, but more importantly, 3.0 games back in the American League Wild-Card race.
If you believe the Blue Jays can fix their recent pitching struggles, you can get them at odds of +1200 to win the World Series, odds of +650 to win the American League, +1000 to win the American League East division, and -210 to make the playoffs.
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