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The Chicago Cubs (61-63) welcome the Toronto Blue Jays (57-66) to Wrigley Field Sunday. First pitch in the series finale is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. 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: Cubs lead 2-0
The Blue Jays lost to the Cubs 3-2 Saturday and 6-5 Friday, closing as an underdog in both games of the series.
Toronto swept the Los Angeles Angels in its series prior, winning those 3 games a combined 19-5. The Blue Jays are still 5-4 over their last 9 games and are 28-25 on the road this season. They sit last in the AL East and are 61-62 against the spread (ATS).
The Cubs, who are 34-27 at home this season, were swept by the Cleveland Guardians prior to this series. They lost those a combined 17-10 and are 6-3 over their last 9 games. Chicago is 57-67 ATS.
Blue Jays at Cubs projected starters
RHP Bowden Francis vs. LHP Shota Imanaga
Francis (5-3, 4.92 ERA) makes his 7th start and 21st appearance. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.1 K/9 in 56 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 8 K in 4-2 road win over the Los Angeles Angels Monday
- 2024 away stats: 3-3, 4.50 ERA (36 IP, 18 ER), 1.17 WHIP, 8.5 K/9 in 11 appearances (5 starts)
- Career vs. Cubs: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (3 2/3 IP, 0 ER), 0.27 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 in 1 appearance
Imanaga (9-2, 3.16 ERA) makes his 23rd start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 1.3 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 in 128 1/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 9-8 road loss to the Cleveland Guardians Monday
- 2024 home stats: 4-1, 3.30 ERA (71 IP, 26 ER), 0.96 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 in 12 starts
- First time facing Blue Jays
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 at 1:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blue Jays +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Cubs -178 (bet $178 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blue Jays +1.5 (-152) | Cubs -1.5 (+126)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Blue Jays at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 5, Blue Jays 4
Moneyline
PASS.
The Cubs have their ace on the mound and should come out on top. At this valuation, they are just too expensive to take. The Blue Jays aren’t worth a play either as an underdog.
Run line/Against the spread
BET BLUE JAYS +1.5 (-152).
The Cubs might be 2-0 in this series, but they are 0-2 ATS in the 2 games. On top of that, the Cubs have the 3rd-worst home-covering rate at 22-39 ATS. Similarly, the Blue Jays are the 2nd-best road-covering team at 40-23 ATS.
The Blue Jays have covered in 5 straight road games. While Chicago has its ace on the mound, it is 2-3 ATS in his last 5 starts, winning 2 of those 3 by 1 run. Considering those trends, take BLUE JAYS +1.5 (-152) despite the expensive value.
Over/Under
BET OVER 7 (-105).
The Cubs are 5-4 O/U in their last 9 games, and they have gone Over in Imanga’s last 4 starts. Chicago has scored 19 runs through its last 5 games and has allowed at least 5 runs in 2 of its last 3 games.
The Blue Jays have gone Over in 2 of their last 3 games and in 5 of their last 10. They are 66-55-2 O/U and have scored at least 5 runs in 3 of their last 4 games. With those trends in mind, back OVER 7 (-105).
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