The trade deadline is one of the most exciting parts of the MLB season, as it’s fun to see where all the big names will land, and how their move will have an impact on the team they join. One of the biggest trades yet saw Troy Tulowitzki head to Toronto to join the Blue Jays, with Jose Reyes heading west. The Blue Jays, who are favorites on MLB lines, are set to take on the Phillies for a pair of games, with the second of the two set for Wednesday night.
Philadelphia Phillies at Toronto Blue Jays MLB Odds Analysis & TV Info
Time: Wednesday, 7:07 p.m. ETVenue: Rogers Centre, TorontoNational TV: noneOpening line: Blue Jays -226, Phillies +208 (9.5)REPORTS: @BlueJays acquire Troy Tulowitzki from Rockies. Clubs have not confirmed. pic.twitter.com/Icd5hOaD26
— MLB (@MLB) July 28, 2015
The Tulowitzki trade was one that has everyone talking, especially since the general consensus was that Toronto (50-50) would be in the market for some pitching help. This move really does feel like the first of many, though, and there are even some who believe that Cole Hamels might end up staying in Toronto when he goes on the road with the Phillies.The Blue Jays certainly need some sort of kick in the pants if they are to close the 7-game lead that the Yankees currently hold atop the AL East. There is no denying that this is a team that can score in bunches, but they are usually forced to because of the number of runs that they give up. Their current trend of playing at or around .500 simply isn’t going to be good enough to get them a division title or even a spot in the Wild Card. R.A. Dickey (4-10, 4.53 ERA) will start for the Jays on Wednesday as he looks to build on a very solid last outing.All of the focus on the Philadelphia Phillies (37-63) is about Cole Hamels, who just threw a no-hitter in what may be his last start with this club, and that is a little unfortunate. This is a team that has somehow managed to turn things around in the second half to go a rather staggering 8-1 through the first three series. They were able to sweep the Marlins and the Cubs during that stretch, and are playing like a team without a care in the world. Considering how far they are out of the playoff picture, that style of play shouldn’t really come as a major surprise. The bats have come to life in Philadelphia, and it’s really going to be interesting to see what other pieces this team can get when Hamels is shipped out. The future may not be as bleak as it looked just a couple of weeks ago. Jerome Williams (3-7, 6.28 ERA) will be looking to get his first win in 8 starts when he takes to the mound for the Phillies on Wednesday.