An interleague matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions as the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. Toronto arrives with momentum, having won three consecutive games, while the Cubs are looking to halt a three-game skid.
Blue Jays Finding Their Rhythm
The Blue Jays, who hold a 57-64 record and are fifth in the American League East, have been more successful than their record might suggest, having secured victories in six of their last 10 games. This recent upswing in performance has injected some much-needed optimism into their camp.
One of Toronto's standout performers has been first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The 25-year-old has been exceptional this season, batting .323 over 120 games, amassing 32 doubles, a triple, 25 homers, and an impressive 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr. continued to shine in a recent series against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI. His prowess was also on display on August 8 against the Baltimore Orioles, where he hit a double, triple, and homer to rack up four RBI in a thrilling 7-6 victory.
On the mound, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) will be tasked with setting the tone for Toronto. Rodriguez has made 12 starts this season, pitching 50 innings during which he allowed 40 hits and 20 earned runs while striking out 52. His last outing saw a commendable effort, albeit in a losing cause, as he pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one earned run against the Oakland Athletics.
Cubs Dealing with Doldrums
On the flip side, the Chicago Cubs have found themselves in something of a slump. With a 59-63 record and positioned fourth in the National League Central, they are in dire need of a win to reverse their recent fortunes.
Chicago's home field advantage has been a mixed bag; they hold a slight edge over the Blue Jays at Wrigley Field with a 4-2 record in head-to-head matchups there. Despite the team's struggles, center fielder Cody Bellinger has been a bright spot. In his 92 games this season, Bellinger is hitting .276 with 16 doubles, a triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. He had a noteworthy performance in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on August 9, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Bellinger has hits in seven of the past 10 games, demonstrating a consistent presence in the lineup.
Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) is slated to start for the Cubs. Despite a challenging season overall, Hendricks has shown signs of resilience, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. His last outing resulted in a tough-luck loss to the Minnesota Twins, where he pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out five. Hendricks' capability was also evident in a dominant performance against St. Louis on July 12, when he threw seven shutout innings.
Showdown at Wrigley
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the stakes are high. Chicago enters as a slight favorite at -114 on the money line, with the over/under set at 10 runs. The historical matchups between these teams have been tightly contested, with Toronto leading the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs' relative success at Wrigley Field may provide a psychological edge.
According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, the odds and trends are always a critical factor. Entering Week 21 of the MLB season, the model is on a 25-13 roll on top-rated run-line picks, yielding a significant return (+732) since last season.
With storylines aplenty and momentum swinging, this contest promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams with something to prove. Fans will be keenly watching to see if Toronto continues its ascent or if the Cubs can reclaim some ground and right their season.