Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction and Betting Odds August 29
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Betting Preview
WagerTalk MLB handicapper Andy Lang offers his analysis of Monday’s Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs clash at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays hold a slight 1.5 game lead for the last AL Wildcard spot. The Cubs are 19 games back in the NL Central and essentially out of the playoff race.
| Monday, August 29 | MLB Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Moneyline: | Toronto Blue Jays -240 vs Chicago Cubs +196 |
| Runline: | Blue Jays -1.5 (-115) / Cubs +1.5 (-105) |
| Total: | 9 Runs (Over -105 / Under -115) |
| Game Time: | 7:07pm ET / 4:07pm PT |
| Where: | Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON |
| Weather: | Retractable Roof |
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Analysis
The Chicago Cubs travel north of the border to start an interleague series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays suffered a brutal three game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels. While the Cubs were able to salvage only one of three games in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
The veteran righty Jose Berrios draws the start for Toronto, while Chicago turns to the rookie Javier Assad. First pitch is scheduled for the 7:07 PM EST/4:07 PST.
Blue Jay Bats Ice Cold
The Toronto Blue Jays will look to get back on track after being swept by the Los Angeles Angels in brutal fashion. The Blue Jays only scored three runs in the series, while being shutout twice and being outscored 22-3.
They lost 8-3 on Sunday despite Ross Stripling holding the Angels to only three runs across six innings of work. Lourdes Gurriel Jr went 2 for 5 with a triple and RBI.
At 68-58 Toronto still holds a 1.5 game lead over their division rivals the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays still have a potent lineup that ranks 4th in OPS and 7th in runs scored. Jose Berrios takes the bump for Toronto in game one of the series.
It’s been a rough season for Berrios with a 5.28 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He has been better recently, holding the Red Sox & Yankees to a combined four runs in 12.2 innings pitched.
Cubs Can Only Play Spoiler
The Chicago Cubs are coming off a series where they lost two of three games against the Milwaukee Brewers including a 9-7 slugfest yesterday. Nico Hoerner went 3 for 5 with a two run blast and three RBI.
Sean Newcomb took the loss after getting blasted for six runs on six hits across only one inning of work. The Cubs record fell to 55-73, good for 3rd place in the National League Central. The Chicago offensive attack ranks below average as they are 16th in OPS and 22nd in runs scored.
The right-hander rookie Javier Assad made his MLB debut last week against the St Louis Cardinals. He held them scoreless through four innings, while giving up four hits and four walks.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Toronto Blue Jays are heavily favored with a money line set at -230, while the Chicago Cubs sit at +195 with a total of 9. The way Toronto was swept this weekend against the Angels was definitely cause for concern.
However this game may offer the perfect bounce back spot against a rookie starter. Berrios pitches to contact and the Cubs have the 4th highest ground ball rate during the last 30 days. The Cubs have also struggled on Mondays following Sunday action, going 2-7 in their last seven Monday contests.
It has been a disappointing season for Berrios, but the Jays just win games with him on the mound. The Jays have won 18 of his 25 starts, including eight of his last 10 outings. Assad walked four batters on only 85 pitches, and the Toronto lineup will make him pay for that.
Assad is backed by a poor bullpen that ranks 23rd in ERA. I strongly considered the Toronto team total at 5.5. However I will give Berrios a shot and roll with the Blue Jays run line at -115 odds.
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays Runline -1.5 -115
First Pitch | MLB Predictions for Monday, August 29
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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