PHILADELPHIA vs. TORONTO 8/26/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

Kendrys Morales has a chance to set a franchise record for the most consecutive games with a home run when the Toronto Blue Jays go for a three-game sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon. Morales tied a club record by going deep for the sixth game in a row as Toronto extended its winning streak to five in Saturday’s 8-6 victory.

Morales’ power surge, which enabled him to match Jose Cruz Jr. (2001) for the team record, also marked the fourth straight season in which he’s reached 20 home runs. Billy McKinney also swatted a two-run homer for the second straight day as the Blue Jays erased an early five-run deficit to set a season high for most wins in a row. Rhys Hoskins drove in three runs to help the Phillies build a 5-0 lead but they were unable to hold it in losing for the sixth time in the last seven games. Shortstop Asdrúbal Cabrera, who broke out of a 2-for-23 funk with three hits, has homered twice off Marco Estrada, Toronto’s scheduled starter for Sunday.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, Sportsnet, TVA (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (8-9, 4.06 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (7-9, 4.88)

Velasquez should be well-rested — he’s failed to pitch beyond four innings in each of his last three starts, although a lengthy rain delay limited him to four innings of one-run ball at Washington on Tuesday. The current three-start drought preceded a superb stretch in which he was 3-0 with two runs and 12 hits permitted in his previous four starts. Morales is 2-for-6 with a home run against Velasquez.

Estrada hasn’t been especially sharp but he won his last two starts against Baltimore and Kansas City — the two worst teams in the majors — despite giving up seven runs and 13 hits in 12 innings. He has struggled with the long ball over his last three outings, surrendering five homers. Carlos Santana is 4-for-7 with a home run off Estrada, who is 3-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 11 starts at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays RH Ken Giles has converted all 18 of his save chances this year.

2. Phillies LF Roman Quinn has hit safely in five games in a row, including four straight with multiple hits.

3. McKinney has three homers and seven RBIs during a four-game stretch.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Blue Jays 4