Teams heading in different directions will face off in an intriguing interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Chicago Cubs this Friday afternoon. The battle gets underway at Wrigley Field in Chicago, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
The Toronto Blue Jays, who hold a record of 57-64 and stand fifth in the American League East, come into this game riding a wave of success, having won three consecutive games and six of their last ten. In contrast, the Chicago Cubs, sitting at 59-63 and fourth in the National League Central, are grappling with a rough patch, losing their last three games. Notably, the Cubs have a sub-.500 record during the day, going 26-28.
All-Time Series
In their head-to-head matchups, the Blue Jays lead the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs have proven tough competitors on their home turf, holding a 4-2 edge in games played at Wrigley Field. The Friday contest is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with Chicago being a slight favorite at -114 on the money line, and the over/under set at 10 runs.
Pitching Matchup
Chicago will send right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) to the mound. Hendricks has shown a knack for limiting damage in recent games, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. His most recent performance, albeit in a loss to the Minnesota Twins, saw him pitch six solid innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs, while striking out five. In a standout July 12 outing against St. Louis, Hendricks delivered seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and one walk, with three strikeouts in a 5-1 win.
Toronto will counter with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA). In his 12 starts this season, Rodriguez has logged 50 innings, conceding 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks, while amassing 52 strikeouts. Despite his commendable efforts in his recent outing against the Oakland Athletics, he was handed a tough-luck loss in a 1-0 game. Rodriguez pitched 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and just one earned run with five strikeouts.
Key Players
Center fielder Cody Bellinger stands out as one of Chicago’s top offensive players this season. In 92 games, Bellinger boasts a .276 batting average, with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. Highlighting his recent form, Bellinger went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored in a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox on August 9. Bellinger has hits in seven of his last ten games and sports a .318 average in six career games against the Blue Jays, with three doubles, one homer, and six RBI.
Toronto relies on the offensive prowess of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The 25-year-old is having an exceptional season, hitting .323 over 120 games, with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr.'s bat has been particularly hot recently; he went 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI in a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. Additionally, in a 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on August 8, Guerrero Jr. showcased his versatility, collecting three hits that included a double, triple, and a homer, contributing four RBI in the contest.
Expectations and Projections
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, has been highly successful, particularly with top-rated run-line picks. Entering Week 21 of the MLB season, the model boasts a 25-13 roll, generating a profit of +732 units based on these picks.
As the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs prepare to clash, all eyes will be on the performance of their respective key players and starting pitchers. With both teams aiming to reverse recent trends and gain momentum, fans can expect an exciting and closely contested game at one of baseball’s most iconic venues.