Cubs vs Blue Jays Prediction - MLB Picks 8/12/23

Toronto Blue Jays Team Facts

• The Blue Jays have won each of their last 10 day games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The underdogs have covered the run line in eight of the Blue Jays' last nine games.
• The Blue Jays have trailed after 3 innings in four of their last six games as home favorites.
• The Blue Jays have led after 7 innings in each of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Blue Jays have led after 5 innings in each of their last five day games against National League opponents that held a winning record.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

• The Cubs have won nine of their last 12 games as underdogs after playing the previous day.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in each of their last four day games against AL East opponents following a win.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last eight games as road underdogs.
• The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three road day games.
• The Cubs have led after 7 innings in 11 of their last 16 games as underdogs against AL East opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Blue Jays' last eight home games against NL opponents.
• Whit Merrifield has recorded at least one RBI in four of the Blue Jays' last five day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Danny Jansen has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last six appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Danny Jansen has scored a run in five of his last six appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
• Chris Bassitt has recorded six or more strikeouts in four of his last five appearances against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Matt Chapman has recorded at least one hit in each of the Blue Jays' last 12 games as home favorites against NL Central opponents.
• Whit Merrifield ranks 10th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.298) this season.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Cody Bellinger has hit at least one home run in each of the Cubs' last three games as underdogs against AL opponents.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Cubs' last four games as underdogs.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Cubs' last five games as underdogs.
• Cody Bellinger has scored at least one run in eight of his last nine appearances with his team as an underdog against AL East opponents.
• Justin Steele has recorded five or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances against opponents that held a winning record.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs' last eight games against opponents that held a winning record.
• Justin Steele ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Earned Run Average (2.68) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Toronto Blue Jays ranks T3rd in the league for strikeouts this season (1106).
• The Toronto Blue Jays ranks 3rd in the league for runs allowed this season (472).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 4th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.333).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 5th in the league for runs scored this season (588).

Pick

The Cubs have played great baseball over the last month or so and they are in a battle with the Brewers and Reds for the NL Central. Toronto had a disappointing series in Cleveland and they followed it up with a poor effort in Game 1 on Friday. Toronto is starting Chris Bassitt, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Chicago is starting Justin Steele, who has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. I think we are going to see a pitching duel in this game, especially with how Toronto has hit the ball recently, and I like the under here.