The Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays will continue a three-game interleague series on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre. Toronto took Monday's series opener with a 5-4 triumph in 11 innings to cash in as a big -235 favorite. Chicago is well out of contention at 55-74, while holds the last AL Wild Card spot at 69-58.
These teams haven't met since August of 2017, when the Cubs picked up a three-game sweep at home.
Chicago has played competitive baseball lately even against teams in playoff position, but still suffered its fourth loss in five games as it blew a late lead in Toronto on Monday. Willson Contreras and Nico Hoerner both provided early RBI to give the Cubs the lead before P.J. Higgins made it 4-0 in the sixth on a two-run double, yet the Blue Jays started their rally in the seventh and eventually walked it off.
Rookie starter Javier Assad continued to impress with five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out one. Al Leiter Jr. was charged with the loss, although the one run he allowed in 1.1 innings was unearned. Nick Madrigal had a three-hit game, while Franmil Reyes was on base three times to lead the offense.
The Cubs have struggled to score at 4.13 runs per game, although they have posted a respectable .702 team OPS. Chicago pitching is also in the bottom 10 with a 4.27 combined ERA including a mark of 4.24 from the struggling bullpen.
Contreras has remained a steady force in the lineup with an .811 OPS, 20 homers, 53 RBI and 62 runs scored. Ian Happ is also enjoying a strong campaign, posting an .814 OPS with 15 homers and 62 driven in.
Marcus Stroman will take the mound for the 19th time this season, having gone 3-6 with a 4.10 ERA across his first 96.2 innings in a Cubs uniform. The 31-year-old was hit hard by the St. Louis Cardinals in a loss last Thursday, allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out one.
Infielder Patrick Wisdom (sprained finger) plus outfielders Michael Hermosillo (strained quad) and Jason Heyward (knee inflammation) are on the IL. The rotation is decimated with Adbert Alzolay (strained lat), Kyle Hendricks (strained shoulder), Wade Miley (strained shoulder), Alec Mills (strained back) and Keegan Thompson (back tightness) sidelined. Relievers Steven Brault (strained shoulder), Codi Heuer (Tommy John surgery), Ethan Roberts (Tommy John surgery) and Brad Wieck (Tommy John surgery) are out.