Teams trending in opposite directions of late meet in an interleague matchup when the Toronto Blue Jays battle the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. The Blue Jays have been on a winning streak, having secured three consecutive victories. In stark contrast, the Cubs are struggling, having dropped their last three games.
Recent Performance
Toronto, sitting at 57-64 and fifth in the American League East, has seen some positives lately, winning six out of their last ten games. Meanwhile, Chicago, holding a 59-63 record and fourth place in the National League Central, has a less flattering daytime record of 26-28.
Past encounters between these two teams have been relatively balanced, with the Blue Jays leading the all-time series 11-10. However, when it comes to games at Wrigley Field, the Cubs hold a 4-2 edge. With the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field, Chicago is pegged as a narrow -114 favorite on the money line, and the total number of expected runs stands at 10.
Pitching Matchup
For Chicago, right-hander Kyle Hendricks will take the mound. Despite a challenging overall season with a 3-10 record and a 6.60 ERA, Hendricks has shown recent promise. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. In his latest outing, a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, he pitched six innings, yielding five hits and two earned runs while fanning five. Additionally, in a standout performance on July 12 against St. Louis, Hendricks pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
On the other side, the Blue Jays will send right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to the hill. Rodriguez holds a 1-5 record with a 3.60 ERA across 12 starts. Showing capability despite his win-loss record, Rodriguez has logged 50 innings, giving up 40 hits, 20 earned runs, and 25 walks while striking out 52. In his most recent start, a tough 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics, he pitched 5.2 innings, conceding five hits and just one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
Chicago’s center fielder Cody Bellinger remains one of their standout hitters. Over 92 games this season, Bellinger boasts a .276 batting average, with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. Highlighting his prowess, Bellinger went 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored in a 7-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on August 9. Additionally, he maintains a solid track record against the Blue Jays, batting .318 with three doubles, one homer, and six RBI across six career games.
For Toronto, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a force to be reckoned with. Playing in 120 games, the 25-year-old is hitting a robust .323, including 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. In a recent three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, Guerrero Jr. went 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI. His prowess was further on display against the Baltimore Orioles on August 8, where he recorded three hits—a double, a triple, and a homer, driving in four runs in a 7-6 victory.
As both teams prepare for this clash, fans can expect a compelling contest between the Blue Jays’ rising form and the Cubs' determination to bounce back. With key players like Bellinger and Guerrero Jr. in the mix, and promising pitchers on the mound, this Friday afternoon game could offer plenty of excitement and pivotal moments.