The Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs meet Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre to close out their three-game series. First pitch is set for 3:07 PM ET. The series is tied 1-1 after Chicago’s 4-1 win on Wednesday, powered by Matt Busch’s home run and sacrifice fly.
Toronto sits at 70-51 and owns one of the league’s best home records at 39-20. The Cubs are 68-51 and 32-29 on the road. Both clubs are chasing playoff spots, and this game will decide the series winner.
Blue Jays Preview – Scherzer Gets the Ball
Toronto will start veteran Max Scherzer, who is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA this season. He has a strong career record against Chicago, going 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 11 starts. This will be his first appearance against the Cubs since 2022.
The Blue Jays managed just two hits in Wednesday’s loss but did get an RBI double from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is batting .376 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs since the All-Star break. Toronto’s offense averages 4.87 runs per game but has been inconsistent at home in recent weeks.
Toronto’s bullpen has been steady, posting a 3.32 ERA on the year. Key arms like Yariel Rodriguez and Louis Varland have been effective in late innings, limiting damage and keeping games close.
Cubs Preview – Boyd in Strong Form
Chicago will send left-hander Matthew Boyd to the mound. Boyd is 11-5 with a 2.45 ERA, but he is 0-3 with a 4.46 ERA in his career against Toronto. He has been effective lately, allowing two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts.
The Cubs got a setback Wednesday when catcher Miguel Amaya injured his ankle and landed back on the injured list. Reese McGuire and Carson Kelly will handle catching duties moving forward. Chicago’s offense is scoring 5.08 runs per game, ranking among the league’s better units.
The bullpen has been reliable, holding a 3.40 ERA overall. Left-hander Taylor Rogers and right-hander Daniel Palencia have been strong in recent appearances, giving manager Craig Counsell confidence in late-game situations.
Betting Prediction
The Blue Jays are slight home favorites with Scherzer on the mound. Toronto’s strong home record and Scherzer’s history against Chicago make them a solid pick. However, Boyd’s recent form and the Cubs’ consistent offense suggest this could be a close game.
Given both pitchers’ recent success and the fact that the series has had low-scoring results so far, the under is also worth considering. A final score in the 4-3 range for Toronto would not be surprising.
Pick: Blue Jays -120, Under 8.5
