Teams trending in opposite directions of late will meet in an interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays face off against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. The Blue Jays, riding the high of a three-game winning streak, aim to continue their upward trajectory. In contrast, the Cubs will look to halt their current skid, having dropped three consecutive games.
Despite their different recent results, both teams are navigating through challenging seasons. The Blue Jays, holding a 57-64 record and sitting fifth in the American League East, have managed to win six of their last 10 games. This recent surge is a flicker of hope in an otherwise tough season. The Cubs, on the other hand, stand at 59-63, positioned fourth in the National League Central. They hold a daytime record of 26-28 and will aim to improve it as they take on Toronto.
The historical matchup between these two teams is a tight one, with the Blue Jays leading the all-time series 11-10. Despite this slight edge, the Cubs have dominated at Wrigley Field, boasting a 4-2 advantage in home games against Toronto. The first pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, with Chicago as the narrow favorite at -114 on the money line. The over/under for the total number of runs expected to be scored is set at 10, hinting at an anticipated high-scoring affair.
Pitching Matchup
Chicago is set to send right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) to the mound. While Hendricks' season numbers don't immediately stand out, his recent performances provide a silver lining. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances, showing signs of steadiness and reliability. In his last outing, despite a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, Hendricks delivered a solid six innings, conceding five hits and two earned runs while striking out five. His standout performance came on July 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and one walk, with three strikeouts in a 5-1 victory.
Toronto will counter with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA). Rodriguez has shown flashes of brilliance in his 12 starts this season, pitching 50 innings and striking out 52 batters. In his last outing, despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Oakland Athletics, Rodriguez pitched effectively, allowing five hits and one earned run over 5.2 innings. His controlled performance highlights his potential to keep the Blue Jays in contention.
Key Players to Watch
Adding to the excitement are the notable hitters from both squads. For the Cubs, center fielder Cody Bellinger stands out as one of their top performers this season. In 92 games, Bellinger is hitting .276, with 16 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, and 46 RBIs. Bellinger's recent form is noteworthy; he went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on August 9. He has hits in seven of his last 10 games. Moreover, in his six career games against the Blue Jays, Bellinger has been particularly productive, batting .318 with three doubles, a homer, and six RBIs.
Toronto's offensive hopes will rest heavily on first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The slugger, in 120 games this season, is hitting a robust .323, with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBIs. Guerrero Jr. recently showcased his power against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBIs over a three-game series. On August 8, he had a standout performance against the Baltimore Orioles, recording three hits that included a double, a triple, and a homer, along with four RBIs in a 7-6 victory.
Both teams have their work cut out for them in what promises to be an exciting contest. The Blue Jays will look to maintain their momentum, whereas the Cubs aim to reverse their fortunes. With a rich history and compelling matchups on the mound and at the plate, this game is set to be an engaging spectacle for baseball fans.