Blue Jays Aim to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Cubs
As teams head into the latter stages of the MLB season, the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs find themselves at a significant juncture. Scheduled for an interleague clash on Friday afternoon, this game offers a fascinating matchup between two squads currently trending in opposite directions.
The Blue Jays, sitting fifth in the American League East with a record of 57-64, come into this encounter on the back of a three-game winning streak. Their recent form is encouraging, having won six out of their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Cubs, fourth in the National League Central with a 59-63 record, have found themselves struggling, dropping their last three games. Moreover, their performance during day games has been underwhelming, with a 26-28 record.
Over the years, the Blue Jays have maintained a slight edge in the all-time series between these two franchises, leading 11-10. However, the Cubs have proven resilient on their home turf at Wrigley Field, holding a 4-2 advantage in Chicago.
Friday’s game promises to be closely contested, with Chicago pegged as a -114 favorite according to the latest odds. The setup at Wrigley Field is expected to witness a high-scoring affair, with the over/under line set at 10 runs.
Pitching Matchup: Hendricks vs. Rodriguez
The Cubs will look to right-hander Kyle Hendricks to reverse their fortunes. Despite a 3-10 record this season and a 6.60 ERA, Hendricks has been showing signs of improvement. He has allowed three or fewer earned runs in 12 of his last 14 appearances. His recent outings include a commendable performance against the Minnesota Twins, where he pitched six innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs, while recording one walk and five strikeouts. Another notable game was his shutout seven-inning performance against the St. Louis Cardinals.
On the other side, the Blue Jays will counter with right-hander Yariel Rodriguez, who holds a 1-5 record and a 3.60 ERA over 12 starts. Rodriguez has logged 50 innings this season, allowing 40 hits and 20 earned runs, alongside 25 walks and 52 strikeouts. His last outing, although a tough 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics, saw him pitch 5.2 solid innings, conceding only one earned run.
Key Players to Watch
Chicago’s Cody Bellinger has been a beacon of consistency amid a fluctuating season for the Cubs. In 92 games, he has posted a .276 batting average, with 16 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, and 46 RBI. He recently went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored in a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox, and has hits in seven of his last 10 games. Bellinger’s performance against the Blue Jays historically has been impressive as well, with a .318 batting average across six games.
For Toronto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been instrumental. The first baseman is having an outstanding season, hitting .323 over 120 games, coupled with 32 doubles, one triple, 25 homers, and 80 RBI. Guerrero Jr. showed his prowess in a recent series against the Los Angeles Angels, going 6-for-14 with two homers and four RBI. His heroic performance against the Baltimore Orioles, where he managed three hits, including a double, triple, and a homer, resulted in a pivotal 7-6 win.
As the Blue Jays look to keep their winning streak alive and the Cubs aim to halt their slide, the battle at Wrigley Field promises to deliver an exciting chapter in this interleague rivalry. Toronto's recent momentum will clash with Chicago's home-field advantage, setting the stage for a captivating contest.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, and all eyes will be on Hendricks and Rodriguez as they take the mound, dictating the tempo of a game crucial for both teams’ aspirations as the season progresses.