Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction 8-11-23 MLB Picks
The Chicago Cubs and the Toronto Blue Jays meet in game one of a three-game MLB interleague set from Rogers Centre on Friday. Who draws first blood here? Let’s dive in and find out.
Cubs Fall Flat Vs. Mets
The Chicago Cubs were hot going into their series in New York, but dropped two of three vs. the Mets after a 4-3 loss in Wednesday’s series finale. The loss dropped the Cubs to 59-56 on the year, 2.5 games back in the NL Central race and a half game back in the NL Wild Card hunt. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubbies with 123 hits and 58 RBIs in addition to a .275 batting average this season while Patrick Wisdom has belted a team-high 19 home runs for the Cubs this season. Ian Happ also leads the Cubs in two-baggers with 23 doubles this season. Javier Assad will start this one for Chicago and is 1-2 with a 3.35 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season.
Chicago Cubs Team Facts
- The Cubs have won each of their last eight Friday games as road underdogs.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last eight Friday games as road underdogs.
- The Cubs have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven Friday games as road underdogs.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last eight road games.
Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts
- Dansby Swanson has hit at least one home run in three of the Cubs' last four night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last four games against AL opponents.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Cubs' last four games as underdogs.
- Cody Bellinger has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight road appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
- Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 12 appearances in night games against teams that held a winning record.
- Nico Hoerner ranks T7th in the league in Steals (28) this season.
Blue Jays Held In Check Offensively Vs. Cleveland.
The Toronto Blue Jays ended up settling for a split with the Guardians in their four game set to start the week, but scored a combined 7 runs in those four games including a 4-3 loss in Thursday’s series finale. The loss dropped the Blue Jays to 65-52 on the year, 7 games back in the AL East division hunt while holding onto the final Wild Card Spot in the American League. Bo Bichette leads the Jays with 144 hits and a .321 batting average along with 17 home runs, but is day-to-day with knee inflammation while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a team-high 18 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. Matt Chapman’s also contributed a team-best 35 doubles for Toronto as well as having the unfortunate distinction of leading the Jays with 134 strikeouts on the year. Jose Berrios will get the nod for the Blue Jays here and is 9-7 with a 3.38 ERA and 129 strikeouts this season.
Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts
- The Blue Jays have lost four of their last five games as home favorites.
- The Blue Jays have covered the run line each of their last six games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have led after 5 innings in each of their last six Friday games against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Blue Jays have led after 7 innings in each of their last five home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts
- Whit Merrifield has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays' last five night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- George Springer has recorded an RBI in four of the Blue Jays' last five night games.
- Jose Berrios has recorded six or more strikeouts in five of his last six appearances with the Blue Jays as favorites.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded two total bases in each of the Blue Jays' last four games as favorites.
- Whit Merrifield has scored at least one run in each of the Blue Jays' last six games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
- Matt Chapman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Blue Jays' last 11 home games against NL Central opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 1st in the league for ERA this season (3.73).
- The Toronto Blue Jays ranks T2nd in the league for strikeouts this season (1100).
- The Chicago Cubs ranks 3rd in the league for walks this season (415).
- The Chicago Cubs ranks 4th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.334).
Chris’ Pick
I’m looking at the Blue Jays here. I just can’t get on board with the Cubs after that series against the Mets, and Toronto’s pitching was performing well, it was just a letdown from the bats in that series, but I don’t think that’ll be an issue here against Assad and Berrios has pitched his better ball at home since joining the Blue Jays. Give me Toronto in this one.
