What's Happening?
The Toronto Blue Jays are set to face the Chicago Cubs in a bid to extend their current three-game road winning streak. The game, scheduled for Friday at 2:20 p.m. EDT, marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Blue Jays, holding
a 37-38 record, are third in the AL East, while the Cubs, with a 39-36 record, are third in the NL Central. Kevin Gausman will pitch for the Blue Jays, bringing a 4-4 record with a 3.41 ERA, while Ben Brown will start for the Cubs, boasting a 3-2 record and a 1.74 ERA. The Blue Jays have shown strength in games where they hit two or more home runs, achieving a 14-6 record in such instances. Meanwhile, the Cubs have a strong home record of 22-16 and have excelled in games where they record eight or more hits.
Why It's Important?
This matchup is crucial for both teams as they aim to solidify their standings in their respective divisions. For the Blue Jays, maintaining their winning streak could help them close the gap in the AL East, where they trail the division leaders. The Cubs, on the other hand, are looking to leverage their home advantage to improve their position in the NL Central. The performance of key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the Blue Jays and Pete Crow-Armstrong for the Cubs will be pivotal. The outcome of this series could influence trade decisions as the teams approach the trade deadline, especially for the Blue Jays, who are dealing with several injuries.
What's Next?
Following this game, the Blue Jays and Cubs will continue their series with two more games over the weekend. The results of these games could impact the teams' strategies as they approach the mid-season trade deadline. Both teams may look to make roster adjustments based on their performance in this series, particularly the Blue Jays, who are dealing with multiple player injuries.
