The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs are set to face off in an interleague matchup on Friday afternoon, with the two teams heading in opposite directions. The Blue Jays have been on a hot streak, winning three games in a row, while the Cubs have struggled, losing their last three games.
Toronto (57-64) currently sits in fifth place in the American League East and has won six of their last 10 games. On the other hand, Chicago (59-63) is in fourth place in the National League Central and has a daytime record of 26-28. The Blue Jays hold a slight lead in the all-time series between the two teams, with a record of 11-10, but the Cubs have a 4-2 edge in games played at Wrigley Field.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field in Chicago. According to the latest odds from SportsLine, the Cubs are favored to win with a money line of -114. The over/under for total runs scored in the game is set at 10.
Key Players and Matchups
Chicago is expected to start right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) on the mound. Hendricks has been pitching well as of late, with 12 of his last 14 appearances seeing him allow three or fewer earned runs. In his most recent outing against the Minnesota Twins, he pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
Center fielder Cody Bellinger has been a standout performer for the Cubs this season, hitting .276 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI in 92 games. Bellinger had a strong showing in a recent game against the Chicago White Sox, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. He has hit safely in seven of the last 10 games and boasts a .318 batting average against the Blue Jays in his career.
On the Blue Jays side, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) will take the mound. Rodriguez has pitched 50 innings in 12 starts, allowing 20 earned runs on 40 hits with 52 strikeouts. In his last start against the Oakland Athletics, he pitched 5.2 innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a force at the plate for Toronto, hitting .323 with 25 home runs and 80 RBI in 120 games. Guerrero had an impressive series against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two home runs and four RBI. He also had a standout performance against the Baltimore Orioles, collecting three hits including a double, triple, home run, and four RBI.
Expert Picks and Predictions
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, is on a hot streak with a 25-13 record on top-rated run-line picks. The model has analyzed the Blue Jays vs. Cubs matchup and has locked in its picks and predictions.
According to the model, the Cubs are the favored team to win the game. With Hendricks on the mound and Bellinger providing offensive firepower, Chicago is expected to come out on top. However, the Blue Jays have a strong lineup led by Guerrero Jr., making this an intriguing matchup.
Before placing any bets on the game, be sure to check out the expert picks and predictions from SportsLine to get a better understanding of the game dynamics and potential outcomes. With detailed analysis and data-driven insights, you can make informed decisions on your wagers.
In conclusion, the Blue Jays vs. Cubs matchup promises to be an exciting game between two teams heading in different directions. With key players on both sides looking to make an impact, the outcome of the game is still up in the air. Stay tuned for the latest updates and analysis leading up to the first pitch at Wrigley Field.