Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction MLB Picks 8/17/24

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Toronto Blue Jays

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Chicago Cubs

Recent betting trends in games played between the Blue Jays and Cubs

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Blue Jays vs Cubs game

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Preview

The Jays played the Los Angeles Angels in their last series. Toronto won all three of those games 4-2, 6-1 and 9-2. On Friday versus the Cubs, the Blue Jays took a tough loss 6-5. Starter Yariel Rodriguez finished with 5.0 innings and four earned runs.

In the starter slot for Saturday will be the Jays’ Chris Bassitt. This year Bassitt is 9-11 with a 4.30 ERA in 24 starts. Over 193 career games (180 starts) Bassitt is 71-53 with a 3.59 ERA.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

Over on the Cubs’ side, they played the Cleveland Guardians this week. Chicago didn’t do well in that one, getting swept 9-8, 2-1 and 6-1. On Friday the Cubs walked off with the win in the bottom of the 10th inning after blowing a 5-2 lead in the ninth.

Justin Steele will start for the Cubs on Saturday. Steele is 3-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 19 starts this year. He’s 27-21 with a 3.26 ERA in 93 career games (82 starts).

Total Runs Facts

• Each of the Blue Jays' last six games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Ten of the Cubs' last 11 day games against AL East opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Cubs' last three games at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Ian Happ has hit a home run in three of the Cubs' last four games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Ian Happ has scored at least one run in each of the Cubs' last five games against the Blue Jays.
• Justin Steele has recorded a win in five of his last six appearances with the Cubs as home favorites against AL opponents.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one Single in 12 of the Cubs' last 13 day games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs' last 13 day games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one total base in each of the Cubs' last 13 day games against AL opponents that held a losing record.
• Seiya Suzuki has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Cubs' last six games against AL East opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays Player Prop Facts

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has recorded a Double in six of the Blue Jays' last eight road games.
• Bo Bichette has recorded a Single in each of his four previous road appearances against NL Central opponents that held a losing record.
• Ernie Clement has recorded at least one hit in each of his last nine appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Ernie Clement has recorded at least one total base in each of his last nine appearances against NL opponents that held a losing record.
• Ernie Clement has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Blue Jays' last three games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Chris Bassitt has recorded a win in three of his four previous appearances in day games against NL teams that held a losing record.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit a home run in two of the Blue Jays' last three games against opponents that held a losing record.
• Ernie Clement has scored a run in each of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against NL Central opponents.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago Cubs Prediction

I’ll stay with the Cubs here. Steele had a rough start versus the Reds to finish off July, giving up five earned in 5.0 innings. In two starts since then however, Steele is 1-0 with two earned in 12.2 innings. As for Bassitt, he’s got one good start (7.0 innings; two earned) and two bad starts (a combined 8.0 innings; 12 earned) in his last trio.

On Friday the Cubs got a really nice pitching effort across the board—outside of Hector Neris’ three earned in the ninth inning. Chicago got almost all their scoring from four home runs, with three of them being solo shots. It’d be nice to see a little more variety at the plate Saturday, but the Cubs should be in good shape regardless.