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The Chicago Cubs (59-63) welcome the Toronto Blue Jays (57-64) to Wrigley Field Friday. First pitch to commence the 3-game series is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (Apple TV). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Blue Jays vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Cubs won 2-1 last season
The Cubs lost to the Cleveland Guardians 6-1 Wednesday, closing as +114 underdogs. While Chicago won the 4 games prior to that series, it was swept against the Guardians and was outscored 17-10. The Cubs are 7-5 over their last 12 and 57-65 against the spread (ATS) on the season. They are 32-27 at home this season.
The Blue Jays swept the Los Angeles Angels, ending the series with a 9-2 win Wednesday as +102 underdogs. Toronto outscored L.A. 19-5 in the series and has won 5 of its last 7 games. The Blue Jays are 59-62 ATS on the season and 28-33 straight up on the road. Despite the road sweep, they are just 5-5 over their last 10 away games.
Blue Jays at Cubs projected starters
RHP Yariel Rodriguez vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 through 50 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 5 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 1-0 home loss to Oakland A’s Saturday
- 2024 away stats: 1-3, 4.74 ERA (24 2/3 IP, 13 ER), 1.50 WHIP, 10.2 K/9 in 7 starts
- Has never faced Cubs
Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA) makes his 17th start and 22nd appearance. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.4 K/9 through 91 1/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 3-0 home loss to Minnesota Twins Aug. 5
- 2024 home stats: 1-5, 5.75 ERA (40 2/3 IP, 26 ER), 1.48 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 in 10 appearances (7 starts)
- Career vs. Blue Jays: 0-1, 5.40 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.37 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 2 starts
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
Blue Jays at Cubs odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:53 p.m. ET.
- 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)
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Blue Jays at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Blue Jays 5, Cubs 3
Moneyline
BET BLUE JAYS (-104).
The Cubs are 5-16 in Hendricks’ appearances this season. At home, they are 2-8. They have lost his last 3 starts at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs were also swept in their last series, while the Blue Jays are coming off a sweep of the Angels. Rodriguez has also pitched far better as of late. The Blue Jays have allowed just 5 runs in total in his last 2 starts.
Couple those trends together, and take BLUE JAYS (-104).
Run line/Against the spread
PASS.
As run-line favorites, the Blue Jays are just too risky, and the Cubs as run-line underdogs are far too expensive to consider. Ultimately, pass here.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 10.5 (-122).
The Blue Jays have gone Under in 4 of their last 6 games and allowed 2 or fewer runs in 5 of their last 6. They have scored 4 or fewer runs in 4 of those 6.
The Cubs have gone Under in 2 straight games and in 3 of their last 4. Chicago has scored a combined 2 runs in the last 2 games. It has struggled to score consistently and is 53-65-4 O/U on the season.
With that in mind, take UNDER 10.5 (-122).
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