The Toronto Blue Jays enter the weekend fresh off a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and will try to keep their momentum going as they begin another three-game set against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Yariel Rodriguez gets the ball for the Jays as he continues to impress in his first MLB season, though the right-hander hasn’t earned a win since July 6. Find out if Rodriguez can snap his skid in my Blue Jays vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks for Friday, August 16.
Blue Jays vs Cubs prediction
My best bet
Blue Jays moneyline (-106 at PROLINE+)
My analysis
The Toronto Blue Jays come into this weekend set with plenty of confidence following a three-game sweep of Los Angeles as they outscored the Angels 19-5.
The bats definitely came to play in L.A. but it’s been the Jays’ pitching that’s carried them over the past week as the club owns a stingy 2.50 ERA over the last seven days — the third-best mark in the majors. I’m expecting that trend to continue in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs as Yariel Rodriguez gets the start.
While the 27-year-old hasn’t picked up a win since July 6 — his first and only career MLB victory — Rodriguez has certainly deserved better. The first-year MLB pitcher posted a 3.13 ERA across five starts in July and has brought his ERA down to a stingy 0.87 through two starts in August. He’s allowed just one earned run over his last two outings (10 1/3 innings) and hasn’t surrendered more than two earned runs in six of his last seven starts.
The Cubs, who are coming off three straight losses to the Guardians, have been trending the wrong way offensively, scoring just one run in each of their last two defeats and three runs or fewer in three of their last four contests.
If Rodriguez can give the Jays another five or six solid innings, that should be enough to help his team pick up a fourth straight win.
Blue Jays star player prop
My best bet
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 home runs (+430 at PROLINE+)
My analysis
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s hit streak finally came to an end at 22 games during the Blue Jays’ loss to the Athletics on Sunday but he got right back to it in Los Angeles as he racked up six hits, two homers, and four RBI against the Angels.
Guerrero Jr. has gone yard in back-to-back games and I’ll look for him to push that streak to three for the third time this season. Cubs opener Kyle Hendricks has allowed at least one home run in four straight outings while his 6.60 ERA is by far the worst of any Chicago starter.
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Blue Jays vs Cubs odds
Blue Jays vs Cubs live odds
Blue Jays vs Cubs opening odds
- Run line: Toronto +1.5 | Chicago -1.5
- Moneyline: Toronto +103 | Chicago -111
- Over/Under: Over 10 | Under 10
Blue Jays vs Cubs spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Cubs opened as the home favorite at -111 with the Blue Jays at +103, though this one became a pick ‘em at most books by late Thursday night.
- Today’s total opened at 10.5 runs with the Under going 3-1 in Chicago’s last four games and 4-2 in Toronto’s last six contests.
- Chicago ranks 20th in runs scored per game this season (4.20) while Toronto ranks 22nd (4.17), suggesting that the Under may be the play this afternoon.
Blue Jays vs Cubs trend
Toronto has covered the run line in 27 of its last 40 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Cubs.
Blue Jays vs Cubs game info
| Location: | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Friday, 8-16-2024 |
| First pitch: | 2:20 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Apple TV+ |
| Blue Jays starting pitcher: | Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher: | Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) |
Blue Jays vs Cubs latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Cubs weather
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