The Chicago Cubs (59-56, NL Central) continue their three game interleague series north of the border on Saturday, with game two against the Toronto Blue Jays (65-52, 3rd AL East). Chicago was defeated by the New York Mets 4-3 on Wednesday and lost two out of three to the Mets. Chicago is tied with Cincinnati 2 ½ games behind first place Milwaukee in the National League Central. Toronto was defeated by the Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Thursday and split its four game series with the Guardians. Toronto is third in the American League East trailing first place Baltimore by seven games. Chicago will play without six pitchers, while Toronto will play without five pitchers and position players Bo Bichette and Otto Lopez.
Chicago has climbed its way to second place in the National League Central thanks to strong performances at the plate. Chicago is in the top 10 of four major hitting categories. The Cubs are fourth in on-base percentage at .334, fifth in runs scored with 582, eighth in team batting average at .256 and 10th in slugging percentage at .420. Patrick Wisdom has hit 19 home runs to lead Chicago, while Christopher Morel has hit 18. The leader in RBI is Nico Hoerner with 58 and Cody Bellinger is a close second with 56. Chicago has hit 186 doubles, 19 triples and 139 home runs in 115 games.
On the mound, Chicago has the 15th best team ERA at 4.15 and is 16th in both WHIP at 1.28 and batting average allowed at .245. The Cubs are eighth in Quality Starts with 50. Saturday’s starting pitcher for Chicago Justin Steele is the t eam leader in victories with 13 and strikeouts with 13. The left hander this season is 13-3 with an ERA of 2.68.