Blue Jays and Cubs Set for Interleague Showdown
Teams trending in opposite directions of late meet in an interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Chicago Cubs this Friday afternoon. Both teams have had polarizing starts to the week, setting the stage for an intriguing contest.
Toronto, currently fifth in the American League East with a 57-64 record, has found some momentum, winning three consecutive games and six out of their last ten. Meanwhile, the Cubs, fourth in the National League Central with a 59-63 record, are aiming to break a three-game losing streak. Notably, Chicago has struggled slightly in daytime games, sitting at 26-28 when starting before sunset.
The historical rivalry between these two clubs has been fairly even, with the Blue Jays holding a narrow edge in the all-time series 11-10. However, the Cubs have been dominant at home, boasting a 4-2 advantage at Wrigley Field.
Pitching Matchup
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field, where the Cubs are slight favorites with a -114 money line according to the latest odds. The over/under is set at 10 runs, suggesting an expectation of a high-scoring game.
Taking the mound for Chicago is right-hander Kyle Hendricks. Despite his 3-10 record and 6.60 ERA, Hendricks has shown resilience recently, having allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. In his most recent outing, a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, Hendricks pitched six solid innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out five and walking one. Perhaps his best performance of late came in a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on July 12, where he threw seven shutout innings.
Toronto counters with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who has a 1-5 record and a 3.60 ERA. Over 12 starts, Rodriguez has logged 50 innings, giving up 40 hits and 20 earned runs while striking out 52 and walking 25. Despite his solid ERA, he took a tough-luck loss in his last start, a 1-0 defeat to the Oakland Athletics. Rodriguez pitched 5.2 innings in that game, yielding one earned run on five hits while striking out five and walking one.
Key Players to Watch
Among the Cubs' top hitters is center fielder Cody Bellinger. With a batting average of .276 over 92 games, Bellinger has contributed 16 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, and 46 RBIs this season. He has been particularly hot recently, notching hits in seven of the past ten games. In a 7-6 win against the Chicago White Sox on August 9, Bellinger went 3-for-4, including a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Against the Blue Jays, he boasts a .318 average with three doubles, one home run, and six RBIs in six career games.
For the Blue Jays, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to lead the offense. The 25-year-old is hitting an impressive .323 through 120 games, including 32 doubles, one triple, 25 home runs, and 80 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. demonstrated his clutch hitting in a recent three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two home runs and four RBIs. He also had a standout performance in a 7-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on August 8, tallying three hits, including a double, triple, and home run, while driving in four runs.
Final Thoughts
As the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays prepare to face off, fans can anticipate a compelling game featuring determined pitching and key offensive contributions from star players. With both teams seeking to shift their recent fortunes, this matchup at Wrigley Field promises to deliver high-stakes baseball.