The strikeout-prone Chicago Cubs (55-74) face a tough test at Rogers Centre on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays (69-58) and Kevin Gausman, owner of this season’s best K/9 rate. The Blue Jays took Monday’s series opener 5-4 in 11 innings. Reliever Yimi Garcia threw two scoreless innings to get the win. Danny Jansen went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBIs in the win. Franmil Reyes was 2 for 4 with one run for the Cubs.
ON THE MOUND
Marcus Stroman (3-6, 3.83 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Chicago. The RHP allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, an 8-3 road defeat against the Cardinals on Thursday. He was charged with the loss, yielding 11 hits while striking out one and walking two. For Toronto, right-hander Gausman (9-9, 2.99 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs. Gausman made two appearances against the Cubs in 2021, both starts, striking out 19 and walking none over 13 innings (2-0, 2.08).In his last start on Thursday, Gausman took a no-decision on the road against the Red Sox. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on nine hits, striking out six, in the 6-5 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.1. Against right-handed pitchers like Gausman this season, the Cubs have a .704 OPS. Ian Happ is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .797 OPS in 348 at-bats. Toronto is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.6 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.220/.324/.328). The Jays have a .753 OPS against right-handers in 2022, third highest in MLB. With a .861 OPS over 296 at-bats, George Springer has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is on a three-game losing streak away from Wrigley Field, bringing their record to 27-36 in 2022. The Cubs have scored 4.1 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.0 runs. Toronto has gone 37-28 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.6. Toronto is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Rogers Centre with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 20 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, eight games behind the Yankees.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
