Clash of Form: Blue Jays and Cubs Set to Face Off
Teams trending in opposite directions meet in an intriguing interleague matchup as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon. The game promises to deliver compelling action, with Toronto riding a three-game winning streak, while Chicago aims to snap out of a three-game skid.
Current Form
The Blue Jays, currently fifth in the American League East with a 57-64 record, have been in good form, winning six out of their last ten games. For the Cubs, positioned fourth in the National League Central with a 59-63 record, daytime games have been a mixed bag—they hold a 26-28 record when playing under the sun.
Historically, Toronto holds a narrow lead in the all-time series against Chicago, boasting an 11-10 edge. However, the Cubs have been dominant at Wrigley Field, leading those matchups 4-2.
With a first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET, Chicago opens as a -114 favorite on the money line, and the over/under for total runs stands at 10.
Pitching Lineups
Chicago's hopes rest on right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who despite his 3-10 record and a 6.60 ERA, has shown signs of resurgence lately. Hendricks has limited his opponents to three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. His recent performance includes a solid outing against the Minnesota Twins, where he pitched six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs with one walk and five strikeouts. In an earlier triumph over St. Louis on July 12, Hendricks dazzled over seven shutout innings, conceding just five hits and one walk while striking out three.
Toronto counters with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who enters the game with a 1-5 record and a 3.60 ERA. In 12 starts this season, Rodriguez has pitched 50 innings, giving up 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks, while striking out 52. In his last outing, Rodriguez delivered a strong performance against the Oakland Athletics, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing just one earned run, five hits, and one walk, alongside five strikeouts, albeit suffering a 1-0 loss.
Key Players
For Chicago, center fielder Cody Bellinger stands out as a critical offensive force. Bellinger has hit .276 across 92 games this season, accumulating 16 doubles, a triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBIs. In a standout performance on August 9 against the Chicago White Sox, Bellinger went 3-for-4 with a homer, adding two RBIs and scoring twice. His recent form is promising, with hits in seven of the past ten games. Against Toronto, Bellinger has a career batting average of .318, contributing three doubles, a homer, and six RBIs in six games.
On Toronto’s side, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to be a crucial asset. The 25-year-old is hitting .323 over 120 games, featuring an impressive tally of 32 doubles, a triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. was exceptional in the recent three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two home runs and four RBIs. Earlier in the month, he showcased his all-around hitting prowess in a win against the Baltimore Orioles, recording a double, a triple, a homer, and four RBIs in a 7-6 victory.
Projection Insights
According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, Chicago enters the game with an advantage. Notably, the model has been strong on top-rated run-line picks, posting a 25-13 record (+732) as of Week 21 of the MLB season dating back to last season.
As Toronto and Chicago prepare to clash, both teams will be eager to alter their current trajectories. For Toronto, maintaining their recent winning form could help elevate them in a competitive division. Meanwhile, Chicago will look to capitalize on home-field advantage and end their losing streak, hoping their recent struggles are merely a temporary setback.