The Chicago Cubs (55-73) and Toronto Blue Jays (68-58) open a 3-game interleague series Monday at Rogers Centre. First pitch is slated for 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Cubs vs. Blue Jays odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: first meeting since 2017
The Cubs had a 5-game win streak from Aug. 16-20 but are just 3-6 since. Chicago has hit a paltry .184/.243/.302 (.545 OPS) over those 9 games.
The Blue Jays were swept at home by the Los Angeles over the weekend, and Toronto managed just 3 total runs over the 3-game series. The Jays are just 2-7 with a .583 OPS in their last 9 home games.
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Cubs at Blue Jays projected starters
RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Jose Berrios
Assad made his Major League debut Tuesday, twirling 4-scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. He walked 4 and fanned 3 while allowing 4 hits.
- Is a 24-year-old rookie who has thrown 108 1/3 IP with a 2.66 ERA and 111 K at Double-A and Triple-A this season.
- Logged more walks in his MLB debut than he had in his 5 previous Triple-A starts combined.
Berrios (9-5, 5.28 ERA) is making his 26th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 134 2/3 IP.
- Coming off back-to-back road starts — against New York Yankees (Aug. 18) and Boston Red Sox (Wednesday) — that saw him yield just 3 ER over 12 2/3 IP.
- Owns significantly better numbers at home: 4.10 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 than on the road: 6.48 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 7.0 K/9.
Cubs at Blue Jays odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cubs +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Blue Jays -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-108) | Blue Jays -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
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Cubs at Blue Jays picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 6, Cubs 4
Money line
Chicago has been solid on the road lately, but Berrios is coming off back-to-back encouraging efforts.
There is enough ammunition on both sides of this equation to reach the simple conclusion of…AVOID THIS PLAY.
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Run line/Against the spread
Toronto -1.5 (-112) is just the slightest lean and really not an actionable one: PASS is my preferred play here as well.
Over/Under
The best play in this Monday match-up is the OVER 9.5 (+110).
Chicago owns a solid .735 OPS over its last 10 road tilts. Prior to its shaky weekend against the Angels, Toronto had posted the same exact figure over its previous 8 games.
The Cubs are quite good against fly-ball pitchers like Berrios. The Assad start figures to put pressure on the Chicago bullpen, and both ‘pens have recent ERA figures that are suspect when held to some analytic scrutiny.
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