MLB Game Preview: Chicago Cubs (67-50) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (69-50)

Game Overview

• Date & Time: Tuesday, August 12 – 7:07 PM ET
• Location: Rogers Centre, Toronto
• Series Status: First of a three-game set
• Broadcast: TBS, Marquee Sports Network

Tactical Breakdown

Starting Pitchers

Team	Pitcher	Record	ERA	WHIP	K/BB	Notes
Cubs	Ben Brown	5–7	6.04	1.44	10.1/2.6	Swingman role; 2–4 with 6.56 ERA in last 7 games
Blue Jays	José Berríos	8–4	3.89	1.27	7.6/3.0	4–1 in last 7 starts; 5.71 ERA in that span

• Edge: Slight lean to Berríos due to experience and home dominance, but both starters have been volatile

Team Form & Key Stats

Toronto Blue Jays

• Record: 69–50 (1st in AL East)
• Home Record: 38–19
• Last 10: 6–4 (.323 AVG, 4.35 ERA, +22 run diff)
• Slugging %: .428 (7th in MLB)
• Top Performers:

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 14-for-43, 5 doubles, 4 HR in last 10
• Ernie Clement: 23 doubles, 8 HR, 36 RBI
• Bo Bichette: .362/.403/.569 in last 13 games

Chicago Cubs

• Record: 67–50 (2nd in NL Central)
• Road Record: 31–28
• Last 10: 5–5 (.240 AVG, 2.86 ERA, +11 run diff)
• Strength: 29–10 when allowing 0 HR
• Top Performers:

• Kyle Tucker: .271 AVG, 18 HR, 76 BB, 62 RBI
• Dansby Swanson: 11-for-38, 2 HR, 6 RBI in last 10
• Seiya Suzuki: .280 AVG, .424 OBP in August; 3-for-5 lifetime vs. Berríos

Betting Insights

• Trend: Blue Jays are 38–19 at home; Cubs are 51–32 vs. RHP starters
• Lean: Over 9.0 runs — both starters have struggled recently, and wind conditions favor hitters

Angle

• Momentum: Toronto’s offense is surging, especially at home; Cubs need to rely on pitching and timely hitting
• X-Factor: If Suzuki and Swanson can spark early rallies, Cubs have a shot to steal Game 1
• Projection: Blue Jays 6, Cubs 4 — expect a high-scoring opener with bullpen usage on both sides