The Toronto Blue Jays (57-64) will visit the Chicago Cubs (59-63), Friday at 2:20 p.m. ET, in the opener of a three-Game series.

The Cubs are favored (-114) in an expected tight game against the Blue Jays (-105). The Chicago Cubs will hand the ball to Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60 ERA), who is looking for win No. 4 on the season, and the Blue Jays will turn to Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60 ERA).

The Blue Jays picked up a 9-2 victory over the Angels Wednesday. Daulton Varsho (3-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI) led the way offensively, while Jose Berrios got the win on the mound after going seven innings, giving up one earned run on two hits while striking out five.

Ahead of the Cubs vs. Blue Jays matchup, here’s what you need to prepare for Friday’s baseball action, including viewing options.

Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays odds and betting lines

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 3:16 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

  • Favorite: Cubs (-114, bet $114 to win $100)
  • Underdog: Blue Jays (-105, bet $105 to win $100)
  • Over/under: 10

Cubs vs. Blue Jays: Live streaming info & game time

  • Game Day: Friday, August 16, 2024
  • Game Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
  • Stadium: Wrigley Field
  • TV Channel: MLB.tv
  • Live Stream: Fubo (Watch for free)

Cubs stats and trends

Cubs betting records

  • The Cubs have entered the game as favorites 52 times this season and won 25, or 48.1%, of those games.
  • Chicago has a record of 23-25 in games when bookmakers favor them by at least -114 on the moneyline.
  • The implied probability of a win from the Cubs, based on the moneyline, is 53.3%.
  • Chicago’s games have gone over the total in 53 of its 122 chances.
  • The Cubs are 55-66-0 against the spread in their 121 chances this season.

Kyle Hendricks (Cubs probable starter)

  • Hendricks makes the start for the Cubs, his 17th of the season. He is 3-10 with a 6.60 ERA and 65 strikeouts through 91 1/3 innings pitched.
  • In his last time out on Tuesday, Aug. 6 against the Minnesota Twins, the righty threw six innings, giving up two earned runs while surrendering five hits.
  • In 21 games this season, the 34-year-old has an ERA of 6.60, with 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are batting .292 against him.
  • Hendricks is looking to secure his fourth quality start of the year.
  • Hendricks will try to extend a six-game streak of lasting five or more innings (he’s averaging 4.3 frames per outing).
  • In four of his 21 total appearances this season he has not given up an earned run.
  • He will face off against a Blue Jays offense that ranks 22nd in MLB with 957 total hits (on a .239 batting average). The team also slugs a collective .384 (21st in MLB) with 113 total home runs (26th in MLB).

Cubs batting stats

  • The Cubs have hit 124 homers this season, which ranks 22nd in the league.
  • Fueled by 334 extra-base hits, Chicago ranks 21st in MLB with a .384 slugging percentage this season.
  • The Cubs rank 22nd in MLB with a .235 team batting average.
  • Chicago has scored 513 runs (4.2 per game) this season, which ranks 20th in MLB.
  • The Cubs have an OBP of .311 this season, which ranks 15th in MLB.
  • Chicago ranks 18th in MLB in strikeouts per game with an average of 8.6 whiffs per contest.

Blue Jays stats and trends

Blue Jays betting records

  • The Blue Jays have been victorious in 20, or 35.7%, of the 56 contests they have been chosen as underdogs in this season.
  • This year, Toronto has won 16 of 47 games when listed as at least -105 or worse on the moneyline.
  • The Blue Jays have an implied victory probability of 51.2% according to the moneyline set for this matchup.
  • Toronto and its opponents have hit the over in 64 of its 120 games with a total set by oddsmakers this season.
  • The Blue Jays have an against the spread record of 57-62-0 in 119 games with a line this season.

Yariel Rodriguez (Blue Jays probable starter)

  • The Blue Jays will send Rodriguez (1-5) to the mound for his 13th start of the season. He is 1-5 with a 3.60 ERA and 52 strikeouts over 50 2/3 innings pitched.
  • In his most recent appearance on Saturday, the right-hander threw 5 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics, giving up one earned run while surrendering five hits.
  • The 27-year-old has amassed an ERA of 3.60, with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 12 games this season. Opposing batters have a .217 batting average against him.
  • Rodriguez is trying to pick up his third quality start of the year in this game.
  • Rodriguez has pitched five or more innings in a game four times this year heading into this game.
  • He has held his opponents without an earned run in two of his 12 appearances this season.
  • The opposing Cubs offense has a collective .235 batting average, and is 22nd in the league with 957 total hits and 20th in MLB action with 513 runs scored. They have the 21st-ranked slugging percentage (.384) and are 22nd in all of MLB with 124 home runs.

Blue Jays batting stats

  • The Blue Jays have hit the fifth-fewest home runs in MLB action this season (113).
  • So far this year, Toronto’s .384 slugging percentage ranks 21st in the majors.
  • The Blue Jays rank 19th in MLB with a .239 batting average.
  • The offense for Toronto is the No. 22 offense in MLB, scoring 4.2 runs per game (504 total runs).
  • The Blue Jays rank 12th in baseball with an on-base percentage of .313.
Watch the MLB on Fubo!