The Chicago Cubs (59-63) welcome the Toronto Blue Jays (57-64) to Wrigley Field on Friday. First pitch to open the 3-game series is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let’s check out FanDuel Sportsbook’s odds around the Blue Jays vs Cubs Opportunities and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs won 2-1 last season
The Cubs lost 6-1 to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday and finished the season as +114 underdogs. Chicago won the 4 games prior to this series but lost to the Guardians, conceding 17-10. The Cubs are 7-5 in their last 12 games and 57-65 against the spread (ATS) this season. They are 32-27 at home this season.
The Blue Jays swept the Los Angeles Angels and ended the series as +102 underdogs with a 9-2 win on Wednesday. Toronto has outscored LA 19-5 in the series and has won 5 of its last 7 games. The Blue Jays have a 59-62 ATS record this season and 28-33 on the road. Despite the road win, they have just a 5-5 record in their last 10 road games.
Expected starters for Blue Jays at Cubs
RHP Yariel Rodriguez against RHP Kyle Hendricks
Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) is making his 13th start. He has a WHIP of 1.30, 4.5 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 in 50 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in the 1-0 home loss to Oakland A’s on Saturday
- Away statistics 2024: 1-3, 4.74 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.50 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 7 starts
- Has never played against the Cubs
Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) is making his 17th start and 22nd appearance. He has a WHIP of 1.45, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 in 91 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in the 3-0 home loss to the Minnesota Twins on August 5
- Home stats 2024: 1-5, 5.75 ERA (40 2/3 IP, 26 ER), 1.48 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 10 appearances (7 starts)
- Career against Blue Jays: 0-1, 5.40 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.37 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 2 starts
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Odds for Blue Jays vs Cubs
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a complete list visit the USA TODAY sports scores and betting odds hub. Odds last updated at 9:53 p.m. ET Thursday.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays -104 (bet $104 to win $100) | Home -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Run Line (RL)/Against the Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 (+146) | Cubs +1.5 (-176)
- Over/Under (O/U): 10.5 (O: +100 | U: -122)
Tips and predictions for the Blue Jays at the Cubs
forecast
Blue Jays 5, Cubs 3
Money line
BET ON THE BLUE JAYS (-104).
The Cubs are 5-16 in Hendricks’ appearances this season. They are 2-8 at home. They have lost his last three starts at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs were also swept in their last series, while the Blue Jays just beat the Angels. Rodriguez has also been pitching much better lately. The Blue Jays have allowed just 5 runs total in his last two starts.
Combine these trends and Blue Jay (-104).
Running Line/Against the Spread
HAPPEN.
The Blue Jays are simply too risky as favorites and the Cubs are far too expensive as underdogs to consider. Ultimately, some consideration is in order here.
Over/Under
Bet under 10.5 (-122).
The Blue Jays have lost under in 4 of their last 6 games and have allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of their last 6 games. In 4 of those 6 games they have scored 4 or fewer runs.
The Cubs have played under in 2 straight games and in 3 of their last 4 games. Chicago has scored a total of 2 runs in their last 2 games. They have struggled to score consistently and their season record is 53-65-4 O/U.
In this sense, take UNDER 10.5 (-122).
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