Buckle up for an intriguing low-scoring MLB duel as Yusei Kikuchi's Blue Jays take on Zack Wheeler's Phillies.

The upcoming MLB faceoff featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies is set to be a pitcher's duel for the ages, promising a low-scoring spectacle that could see both teams struggling to put runs on the board in the initial innings. 

Leading the charge for the Phillies is the formidable Zack Wheeler, whose recent performances have been solid. Consistently outperforming the league average in every percentile, Wheeler’s been a force to reckon with, especially during away games. Sporting a 6-3 record with a 3.44 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, he's been the Phillies' go-to guy on the mound this season. His last four starts saw him allowing a mere combined seven runs and three walks over 25.2 innings pitched. With an xERA of 3.32, Wheeler is primed to give the Blue Jays' batters a run for their money.

On the other hand, we have Yusei Kikuchi, who's been absolutely torching the mound lately. Kikuchi has been successfully holding his opponents to just two or fewer runs per start since July 6th. Despite occasionally struggling with hard hits, his recent performances indicate that he's cracking the code on his weaknesses and making the necessary adjustments to prevent the long ball. His knack for quality starts has been a major win for the Jays, and we expect nothing less in the upcoming clash.

Given these circumstances, it's safe to say that this game is gearing up to be a battle of the pitchers, with both Wheeler and Kikuchi bringing their A-game. The first five innings, in particular, are likely to be a low-scoring affair. So, if you're looking to make a play on this game, my pick would be the First 5 innings total under 4.5, with the line at -125. 

Written by Rosser Sports