Teams trending in opposite directions of late meet in an interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays battle the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. The first pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Chicago is a -114 favorite on the money line in the latest Blue Jays vs. Cubs odds, with the total number of runs expected to be scored, or the over/under, set at 10.
Blue Jays Finding Their Groove
Toronto arrives with momentum, having won three games in a row and six of their last ten. Despite sitting fifth in the American League East with a 57-64 record, the Blue Jays have shown signs of resurgence, partly due to the form of their star hitters.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to lead by example, hitting a robust .323 over 120 games this season, with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr.'s recent performances include going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI in a series against the Los Angeles Angels that concluded on Wednesday and a standout game against the Baltimore Orioles on August 8, where he had three hits including a double, triple, and homer, driving in four runs.
Cubs in a Slump
In contrast, the Chicago Cubs are looking to halt a three-game skid. Despite being fourth in the National League Central with a 59-63 record, the Cubs have struggled during the day, posting a 26-28 record in daytime games.
Center fielder Cody Bellinger has been one of the few bright spots for Chicago. In 92 games this season, Bellinger is hitting .276, with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. His recent bout of form includes a 3-for-4 performance with a homer and two RBI in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on August 9. Bellinger has been consistent, registering hits in seven of the past ten games and batting .318 against the Blue Jays across his career.
Pitching Matchup
Chicago is set to send right-hander Kyle Hendricks to the mound. Holding a 3-10 record and a 6.60 ERA, Hendricks has shown signs of improvement lately. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. In his most recent outing, he pitched six innings in a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, conceding five hits and two earned runs with one walk and five strikeouts. Hendricks' notable performance this season includes a seven-inning shutout against St. Louis on July 12, where he allowed just five hits and one walk while striking out three.
Toronto will counter with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who sports a 1-5 record with a 3.60 ERA. In 12 starts this season, Rodriguez has logged 50 innings, allowing 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks while striking out 52. Despite a solid performance in his last outing, Rodriguez suffered a 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics. In that game, he pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five hits and one earned run with one walk and five strikeouts.
Series History
Historically, the Blue Jays lead the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs have performed better at Wrigley Field, holding a 4-2 edge in games played on their home turf. With both teams having much to prove and the stakes high, the series promises to be an engaging clash.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, enters Week 21 of the MLB season on a hot streak, boasting a 25-13 record on top-rated run-line picks (+732) dating back to last season. This surge offers valuable insights for bettors looking to place informed bets on the upcoming games.
As these two teams with contrasting trajectories meet, fans can expect a tightly contested battle, where every play could turn the tide. The Blue Jays will aim to extend their winning streak, while the Cubs will look to break their rut and leverage home-field advantage to regain some lost ground.