A three-run eighth inning proved not enough for the Jays in yesterday’s interleague icebreaker with the Cubs and they’ll be hard pressed to level the series this afternoon as moneyline underdogs of more than +200. Chicago, now seven games above .500, has been getting it done as heavy chalk, winning five of its last six as a favorite of -200 or more.
Accounting for most of the discrepancy in the betting line, it’s the pitching matchup that’s pointing vigorously in the direction of Jose Quintana (4.33 ERA) and the hometown Cubs with Nick Tepesch (5.25 ERA, 1.92 WHIP) set to take the ball for the AL East basement-dwellers.
His stats this season don’t really show how talented a hurler Quintana is, but his performance against Toronto earlier in the year when he went seven strong innings, allowing just two runs as a member of the White Sox, was more indicative of what the lefty is capable of. Over his last four seasons, the Colombian has pitched in 28 innings against the Jays, going 3-1 in that span with just four earned runs against.
Sportsbook up on the throttle finally, the Cubs have scored 24 runs in their last three contests and they should be no match for a fairly anemic Blue Bird lineup if the big Chicago bats show up to Wrigley today for the rare matchup.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Chicago (64-57) will face the 59-63 Blue Jays in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Chicago vs Toronto injuries news.
The Chicago Cubs sit at No. 7 in the current MLB power poll here at OddsShark, while the Toronto Blue Jays sit at No. 15 on the same chart.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these teams in several key categories is important for handicappers and Chicago has baseball's No. 9-rated offensive output, at 8.51 hits per game. The Toronto Blue Jays average 8.14 hits per game, good for No. 28 on the list.
Defensively, Toronto features the No. 21-rated defense on the road, allowing 5.07 runs per game. Chicago, meanwhile, comes in at No. 8 at home, scoring 5.05 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Blue Jays endured a 7-4 loss at the hands of the Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field.
Next Betting Matchups
Toronto at Chicago, Sunday, August 20