The Toronto Blue Jays are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs in a highly anticipated interleague matchup on Friday at Wrigley Field. Fans can expect the first pitch at 2:20 p.m. ET, marking an exciting clash between two teams looking to improve their standings.
Toronto (57-64 SU, 59-62 RL, and 65-54-2 O/U) has yet to announce a starting pitcher but anticipates that right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will take the mound. The 27-year-old has a record of 1-5, boasting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP across 12 appearances this season.
Chicago (59-63 SU, 57-65 RL, and 53-65-4 O/U) will counter with veteran righty Kyle Hendricks. The 34-year-old holds a 3-10 record with a 6.60 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP in 21 appearances, including 16 starts.
Toronto’s Momentum After Series Sweep
Recently, Toronto celebrated a series sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, yet they still find themselves languishing in the last position in the American League East standings. The team’s potential has often gone unfulfilled, leaving fans and bettors disappointed.
Currently, the Blue Jays rank 14th in on-base percentage (.312), 21st in on-base plus slugging (.694), and 27th in home runs with 110. On the pitching side, their staff carries a 4.56 ERA, placing them 28th in the league with a 1.32 WHIP, which ranks 24th.
Rodriguez is expected to pitch for Toronto on Friday. In his latest appearance, the rookie righty allowed just one run on five hits, striking out five in a 5.2-inning loss to Oakland. He has struck out a total of 52 batters in 50.0 innings this season. Despite his potential, Rodriguez has struggled on the road, with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in seven away games.
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Cubs’ Second-Lowest ERA in the League
The Chicago Cubs, similar to the Blue Jays, have not met expectations in 2024. They face an uphill battle to secure a postseason spot, needing a significant winning streak to remain in contention for a National League Wild Card berth.
Currently, the Cubs are 15th in on-base percentage (.311), 12th in on-base plus slugging (.696), and 21st in home runs with 124. However, their pitching staff is performing well, with a 3.73 ERA, making it the second-best in the league, and a 1.24 WHIP, placing them 10th overall.
Hendricks is slated to pitch for Chicago in this matchup. While he has had a disappointing season, especially at Wrigley Field where he holds a 1-5 record with a 5.75 ERA, he is hoping to turn things around. In his most recent outing, he allowed two runs on five hits over six innings against Minnesota. The last time he faced the Blue Jays was in 2017, with another appearance dating back to 2014.
Predictions for Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs
Chicago is favored to win in this matchup on Friday afternoon.
Hendricks carries an Expected ERA of 4.88, which is 1.72 points lower than his current ERA. This suggests he may be due for an upswing in performance, especially against the inconsistent Blue Jays lineup. In his last game, he kept five of his last six opponents to three runs or fewer, showcasing his potential to limit scoring. The Cubs’ bullpen also performs well, currently ranking 7th in ERA at 3.65.
On the other hand, Rodriguez has struggled to pitch deep into games, having gone past the sixth inning only once this season. This places additional strain on a Toronto bullpen that has a 5.02 ERA, having allowed 71 home runs, the highest in MLB. With the Cubs showing offensive improvement this August, they are expected to capitalize on these opportunities, aiming for a victory in the Windy City on Friday.
