An intriguing interleague matchup is set for Friday afternoon as the Toronto Blue Jays, riding the wave of a three-game winning streak, clash with the Chicago Cubs, who are reeling after dropping three straight. This contest promises to be a fascinating encounter between two teams heading in opposite directions of late.
It has been a season marked by ups and downs for both squads. Toronto, sitting at 57-64, occupies fifth place in the highly competitive American League East. Their recent surge has seen them win six of their last ten games, infusing them with much-needed momentum as they face the Cubs (59-63), who are struggling at fourth in the National League Central. The Cubs hold a slight edge when it comes to daytime games, boasting a 26-28 record under the sun.
The history between these teams is tight, with the Blue Jays narrowly leading the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs have demonstrated their home-field advantage in these encounters, holding a 4-2 edge at iconic Wrigley Field, where the first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. Among bettors, Chicago is currently favored at -114, with the over/under for total runs pegged at 10.
Pitcher's Duel
Chicago will rely on right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who enters the game with a 3-10 record and a 6.60 ERA. Despite these numbers, Hendricks has been a reliable arm for the Cubs recently, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. In his last start, Hendricks delivered a strong performance against the Minnesota Twins, pitching six innings while giving up five hits and two earned runs, striking out five. Notably, he was dominant on July 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and striking out three.
Chicago's Hitting Prowess
Center fielder Cody Bellinger has been a standout for the Cubs this season. Over 92 games, Bellinger is hitting .276 with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. His recent form has been impressive; in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on August 9, Bellinger went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Bellinger has registered hits in seven of his last ten games, and against the Blue Jays, he has been particularly effective, batting .318 with three doubles, one homer, and six RBI in six career games.
Blue Jays' Fortunes
The Blue Jays will counter with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who holds a 1-5 record and a 3.60 ERA this season. Rodriguez's performance has been solid, if not spectacular, allowing 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks over 50 innings pitched, while fanning 52. His last outing was a hard-luck 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched 5.2 innings, yielding only five hits and one earned run, alongside five strikeouts.
Guerrero Jr. Leads the Charge
At the plate, Toronto will look to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to continue his exceptional season. The 25-year-old is hitting .323 over 120 games, including 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr.'s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular — in a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels that concluded Wednesday, he went 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI. Earlier in the month, on August 8, he delivered a stellar performance against the Baltimore Orioles, accumulating three hits, including a double, triple, and a homer, while driving in four runs in a 7-6 victory.
As the Blue Jays and Cubs prepare to face off, both teams will be keen to exploit their strengths and gain an edge. For Toronto, riding their current winning streak and the hot bats of players like Guerrero Jr. will be key, while Chicago will look to Hendricks' recent consistency and Bellinger's hitting prowess to turn their fortunes around. It’s a classic setup for a compelling showdown at Wrigley Field.