Teams trending in opposite directions of late meet in an interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays battle the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. Toronto has won three in a row, while Chicago has dropped three straight.
The Blue Jays (57-64), fifth in the American League East, have shown resilience, winning six of their last 10 games. In contrast, the Cubs (59-63), sitting fourth in the National League Central, have had a rough spell, particularly during daytime games, with a 26-28 record under the sun.
Historically, the Blue Jays lead the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs maintain a narrow edge in games played at Wrigley Field, boasting a 4-2 advantage. The first pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, and Chicago steps in as a -114 favorite on the money line with an over/under of 10 runs expected.
Pitching Matchups
Chicago is poised to send right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) to the mound. Hendricks, despite his overall record, has pitched admirably of late, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. His last outing, a hard-fought 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, saw him pitch six innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs, with one walk and five strikeouts. In a notable performance on July 12, Hendricks pitched seven shutout innings in a 5-1 victory at St. Louis, giving up just five hits and one walk while striking out three.
On the other side, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) will start for Toronto. Rodriguez has logged 50 innings pitched across 12 starts, conceding 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks, while striking out 52. In his most recent start, Rodriguez delivered a strong performance, though it culminated in a 1-0 setback to the Oakland Athletics. In that game, he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing five hits, one earned run, and one walk, while striking out five.
Key Players
Center fielder Cody Bellinger is among Chicago’s standout hitters this season. In 92 games, Bellinger is hitting .276 with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. His contributions were significantly felt in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 9, where he went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Bellinger has consistently produced, registering hits in seven of the past 10 games. Against the Blue Jays, he has a career .318 batting average over six games, with three doubles, one homer, and six RBI.
For the Blue Jays, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains a pivotal figure. The 25-year-old is hitting .323 over 120 games, with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr. has been particularly hot recently, going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI in a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. In a thrilling 7-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 8, he showcased his versatility by recording three hits, including a double, triple, and homer, along with four RBI.
Statistical Insights
The SportsLine Projection Model, known for its precision, simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. Entering Week 21 of the MLB season, the model is on a remarkable 25-13 roll on top-rated run-line picks (+732), a streak that dates back to last season. Such insights lend weight to the intricate balance both teams will need to strike in this interleague clash.
With both teams nearing the tail end of the season, the stakes are high. While the Blue Jays aim to continue their winning streak, the Cubs will look to rebound and leverage their slight historical edge at Wrigley Field. As the first pitch approaches, fans can expect a closely contested matchup that reflects the unpredictable nature of baseball.