Chicago Cubs @ Toronto Blue Jays – Series Preview (August 12-14): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (67-50) continued their flat second-half performance by dropping two of three to the Cardinals over the weekend. Chicago’s offense continues to be hit or miss, scoring nine runs in their victory and only two combined in their pair of losses. Things certainly don’t get any easier with a trip to Canada and a matchup with the first-place Blue Jays.
Toronto (69-50) blew past the Yankees at the end of the first half to move into the top spot in the American League East and hasn’t looked back. The hitters have been the driving force behind the Jays’ success with a .767 team OPS that ranks third in baseball.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is probably the most dangerous hitter in the lineup with 19 homers and an .884 OPS. Shortstop Bo Bichette and catcher Alejandro Kirk are also having big years. George Springer was having an excellent season as well, but he is currently on the concussion injured list.
It’s a much different story when it comes to the pitching staff, which has struggled to the tune of a 4.28 team ERA, which ranks 23rd in baseball. The starting rotation has not been good with a 4.43 ERA, but the return of Max Scherzer and the emergence of former Brewer Eric Lauer have stabilized things in the back end.
Toronto’s bullpen has been an adventure at times; closer Jeff Hoffman has 26 saves but also sports a 4.50 ERA. This is very much a team that has to out-hit their pitching issues, and the Cubs will have to match them if they want to come out ahead in this series. If Chicago’s bats don’t come to play at Rogers Center, this will be a very tough series to win.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Tuesday, August 12 at 6:07pm CT on TBS and Marquee.
- Wednesday, August 13 at 6:07pm CT on Marquee.
- Thursday, August 14 at 2:07pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 8/12 | Ben Brown | 25 | R | 6.04 | 5-7 | 4.12 | 3.85 |
| José Berríos | 31 | R | 3.89 | 8-4 | 4.43 | 2.58 | |
| 8/13 | Cade Horton | 23 | R | 3.18 | 6-3 | 3.90 | 2.36 |
| Kevin Gausman | 34 | R | 3.85 | 8–8 | 3.68 | 3.46 | |
| 8/14 | Matthew Boyd | 34 | L | 2.45 | 11–5 | 3.13 | 4.17 |
| Max Scherzer | 41 | R | 4.12 | 2–2 | 4.62 | 4.45 |
What to Watch For
- Catcher Miguel Amaya is expected to return from injury in Toronto.
- Dansby Swanson has seven hits in his last four games.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong is 3-for-33 (.091) in August.
- Matt Shaw has three homers in his last four games played.
