Game Summary

The Toronto Blue Jays (57-65) will take on the Chicago Cubs (60-63) at Wrigley Field on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 2:20 p.m. EDT. This game marks the second encounter between these two teams this season. The Cubs are currently on a three-game home win streak and hope to extend their winning ways against the Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays sit fifth in the AL East and have struggled on the road with a 28-34 record. Their offense has been inconsistent, ranking ninth in the AL for slugging percentage at .384. Star player Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the team with a .319 batting average, accompanied by 25 home runs, while Ernie Clement has also shown promise in recent games, hitting .300 over his last ten games.

On the other hand, the Cubs rank fourth in the NL Central with a home record of 33-27. Their lineup features strong contributors like Isaac Paredes, who has 18 home runs this season, and Ian Happ, who has been hot lately with four home runs in his last ten games. The Cubs' on-base percentage of .310 ranks them ninth in the National League, indicating their ability to get runners on base.

Both teams are looking to improve their standings as they approach the final stretch of the season. The matchup promises to be thrilling, especially with both lineups featuring potent hitters capable of capitalizing on mistakes by opposing pitchers.

Player Prop Odds

Leo Jimenez Props:

• Batter Doubles: 0.5 (+460)
• Batter Hits: 0.5 (-155)
• Batter RBIs: 0.5 (+260)
• Batter Runs Scored: 0.5 (+160)
• Batter Singles: 0.5 (+105)
• Batter Total Bases: 1.5 (+195)

Player Analysis

Leo Jimenez has had a mixed season, but he has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly against right-handed pitching. With a batting average of .221, he has shown the potential to contribute offensively when the situation calls for it. Over the last ten games, Jimenez has been working on improving his approach at the plate.

His capability to get on base is crucial, particularly in this matchup against Cubs' starter Justin Steele, who has a 3.16 ERA and has been effective against left-handed hitters. Jimenez's ability to make contact and control the bat will be vital in this game as he looks to provide run support and potentially get on base.

Opposing Analysis

Facing off against the Blue Jays is Justin Steele, who has been solid this season, especially at home. His ability to limit runs and strikeouts will be tested against a Blue Jays lineup that can hit for power. Jimenez's performance will be critical as he might see pitches in favorable counts against Steele, who tends to lean on his fastball.

The Cubs' hitters have been performing well against left-handed pitchers, so the Blue Jays' strategy will include making adjustments to exploit Steele's weaknesses early in the count. Jimenez's ability to take advantage of any mistakes could lead to RBI opportunities or even a chance to cross home plate.

Prop Analysis

In analyzing Jimenez's props, the "Batter Hits" (-155) seems likely to hit due to the favorable matchup against Steele. Jimenez's lower batting average could raise concerns; however, he has the potential to sneak in a hit or two based on his recent form.

The "Batter RBIs" (+260) prop presents an intriguing opportunity, especially considering his position in the batting order. If he can secure a hit with runners on base, the chances of driving in runs increase significantly.

For the "Batter Total Bases" (1.5) prop, betting on Jimenez to accumulate two total bases could be a reasonable risk given his potential for a double or a combination of hits. The "Batter Doubles" (+460) prop is much riskier, but if Jimenez can connect, the payout would be substantial.

Starting Pitching Summary - Blue Jays

Chris Bassitt will take the mound for the Blue Jays, bringing a 4.30 ERA and 129 strikeouts this season. Despite a tough season with 11 losses, Bassitt has shown moments of brilliance and will need to deliver a strong performance to give the Blue Jays a fighting chance.

His ability to navigate through the Cubs' lineup will be crucial, especially considering their recent offensive success. If he can keep the ball down and induce ground balls, he could minimize damage and help the Blue Jays secure a much-needed win.

Starting Pitching Summary - Cubs

For the Cubs, Justin Steele will look to continue his strong home performance. With a 3.16 ERA, Steele has been dependable and will be looking to exploit the Blue Jays' inconsistencies at the plate. His ability to strike out batters while minimizing walks will be key to keeping the Blue Jays' offense at bay.

If Steele can control the running game as well, it will limit Jimenez's chances of scoring in any potential situations.

Bullpen Summary - Blue Jays

The Blue Jays' bullpen has been solid this season, with a collective ERA of 3.75, ranking fifth in the league. However, with injuries to key players, they will need to rely on their depth to maintain leads late in games.

Bullpen Summary - Cubs

The Cubs' bullpen has struggled with a 4.54 ERA, ranking near the bottom of the league. If the game becomes a high-scoring affair, it may be beneficial for the Blue Jays to exploit this weakness late in the game.

Team Previews

The Toronto Blue Jays have shown flashes of brilliance with a potent lineup led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Ernie Clement, while their pitching staff has been above average. However, their inconsistency has haunted them, especially on the road.

The Chicago Cubs have had an up-and-down season but are currently building momentum with a three-game winning streak. Their lineup features several offensive threats, and they will be looking to continue this trend against the Blue Jays.

Team Injuries

Toronto Blue Jays:

• Bo Bichette, SS: Expected to be out until at least Sep 3 (Calf)

Chicago Cubs:

• Hayden Wesneski, RP: Expected to be out until at least Aug 27 (Forearm)

Recent Games

Toronto Blue Jays Recent Results:

Chicago Cubs Recent Results: