Chi. Cubs vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions August 18th 2024

From Wrigley Field in Chicago, we have the Blue Jays and Cubs facing off in an interleague matchup. First pitch for this one is set for 2:20 PM ET. SNET will be televising this one, and the Cubs are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -183. The money line odds for a Toronto win are sitting at +154, and the Blue Jays are 5th in the AL East, while the Cubs are 3rd in the NL Central.

The forecast for Sunday’s game in Chicago calls for broken clouds and temperatures in the upper 60s. Bowden Francis is starting for the Blue Jays, and he is facing off against Shota Imanaga. Toronto is 57-66, while the Cubs have won two straight and are 61-63.

Bowden Francis has made 20 appearances this season, and he will be looking to build off his last outing, where he picked up the win. Against the Angels on August 12th, he went seven innings, giving up just one earned run. Looking at his overall numbers, Francis has a record of 5-3 and an ERA of 4.92. Opponents are batting .244 off the right-hander this season. Francis has made one quality start this year and is averaging 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings. For the season, he has allowed 12 homers and is averaging just 2.54 walks per nine innings.

So far this season, the Blue Jays offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 22nd in the league. At home, they have been even worse, averaging just 4 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .239, which is 14th in the league, and are also one of the better teams in terms of avoiding strikeouts. Toronto comes into the game with a collective on-base percentage of .312 and slugging percentage of .384.

Over his last five games, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has gone 7/23 with two homers and four RBIs. This season, he is hitting .319 with 25 homers and 80 RBIs, all of which lead the team. Daulton Varsho is second on the team with 15 homers but is batting just .210 for the season.

Shota Imanaga gets the start for the Cubs today and comes in with a record of 9-2 and ERA of 3.16. He has made 22 starts this year and has a total of 13 quality starts. Imanaga’s ERA at home is 4.39, and he has a record of 4-1 at home compared to 5-1 on the road with an ERA of 3.33. In his last outing, Imanaga finished with a no-decision, giving up three earned runs in five innings of work. Before that, he had won two straight starts.

Heading into today’s game, the Cubs are averaging 4.2 runs per game, which is 20th in the league. They have been slightly better on the road this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game. As a team, they are batting just .235 and are 17th in home runs. However, they do have the 7th fewest strikeouts in the league and are 7th in team walks.

Chicago’s most dangerous hitter has been Ian Happ, who leads the team with 22 homers and 69 RBIs. Happ is also on an eight-game hitting streak and has gone 7/22 in his last six games with three homers. Nico Hoerner and Isaac Paredes are also near the top of the Cubs’ home run and RBI leaderboards, with five and 18 homers, respectively.

Cubs on the Brink of a Crucial Sweep

The Chicago Cubs are on the verge of a huge series sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays as they continue their push for a National League wild-card spot. With strong showings over the weekend, the Cubs have clawed their way to just 4 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot, making Sunday’s game a must-win in their postseason chase.

Cubs Capitalize on Clutch Performances

The Cubs kicked off the weekend with a heart-stopping extra-innings win on Friday, thanks to a game-winning hit from Seiya Suzuki. On Saturday, they followed it up with a 5-3 victory, driven by key extra-base hits from Ian Happ and Michael Busch, despite battling through two rain delays. The Cubs’ bullpen, a crucial part of their recent success, once again came through when it mattered most.

This bullpen reliability has been a game-changer for the Cubs as they look to sweep the Blue Jays and continue their climb in the wild-card standings.

Pitching Matchup: Imanaga vs. Francis

Sunday’s game features an exciting pitching duel:

Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs)

All-Star lefty Shota Imanaga (9-2, 3.16 ERA) will be on the mound for the Cubs. Imanaga is looking to bounce back after a tough start against the Cleveland Guardians, where he gave up seven runs (three earned) over five innings. While Imanaga has been a steady force for the Cubs, he’s shown a bit of a weakness with the long ball, giving up at least one home run in each start since the All-Star break. Keeping Toronto’s power hitters in check will be key for him in this matchup.

Bowden Francis (Toronto Blue Jays)

The Blue Jays will counter with right-hander Bowden Francis (5-3, 4.92 ERA), who’s been on fire in August. Francis was dominant in his last outing against the Los Angeles Angels, allowing just one run and one hit over seven innings. With a 2.19 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings this month, Francis will aim to cool down the Cubs’ offense and help Toronto salvage the final game of the series.

Blue Jays Seek to Rebound

After sweeping the Los Angeles Angels, the Blue Jays have hit a snag against the Cubs. Despite starter Chris Bassitt navigating two rain delays to deliver five solid innings on Saturday, Toronto came up short, exposing their inconsistency on this road trip. A win on Sunday would give the Blue Jays a chance to head home with some positive momentum as they continue their own playoff push.

Injury Concern: Leo Jimenez

Toronto’s lineup might be impacted by the status of shortstop Leo Jimenez, who left Saturday’s game with right knee soreness. Jimenez was pulled for a pinch hitter in the second inning, and his availability for Sunday’s game is still up in the air. As a key defensive player, his absence could disrupt the Blue Jays’ infield and overall game plan.

Playoff Implications and Series Outlook

With the Cubs sitting just 4 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot, every game counts. A sweep of the Blue Jays would not only boost their playoff chances but also provide valuable momentum as the season enters its final stretch. For the Blue Jays, avoiding a sweep is crucial to keeping their playoff hopes alive and finishing the road trip on a high note.

Both teams have a lot on the line in Sunday’s game, making the pitching matchup between Imanaga and Francis even more significant. The Cubs are looking to build on their recent success, while the Blue Jays are determined to bounce back and keep their postseason dreams alive.

Cubs Eyeing Sweep, Playoff Push

The Chicago Cubs are in prime position to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays, a result that could be pivotal in their pursuit of a playoff spot. With strong bullpen performances, timely hitting, and a solid start expected from Shota Imanaga, the Cubs are ready to close out the series on a high note. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays, led by Bowden Francis, will be battling to avoid a sweep and keep their postseason hopes intact. Sunday’s game promises to be a crucial showdown with major playoff implications for both teams.

Today’s game between the Blue Jays and Cubs has the 7th highest projected runs total, and our lean would be towards the over. For a money-line pick, we are leaning towards the Blue Jays to come out on top. Toronto’s offense is our 4th highest-rated team in terms of hits today, and Bowden Francis is 9th in projected innings pitched.