The Toronto Blue Jays (69-58) will host the Chicago Cubs (55-74) on Wednesday, wrapping up a three game series. The Blue Jays came back from a four run deficit to win the opener 5-4 in 11 innings on Monday. Tuesday's contests was not complete at the time of this preview.
The Cubs lost their third straight game on Monday. Chicago is now 3-7 in their last 10 ballgames, all against playoff contending teams. The Cubs overall are 9-11 in their last 20 road games and averaging 3.65 runs per game in those contests. In the NL Central, Chicago is third on the season but well out of playoff contention as they sit 20 games behind the first-place Cardinals.
.@STR0 love. ?? pic.twitter.com/NWBggbW9Ic
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 29, 2022
Rookie Javier Assad gave the Cubs five shutout innings in the series opener and has now not allowed a run through his first nine big league innings. The Cubs bullpen ranks 24th with a 4.26 ERA and could not hold on to lead after Assad came out of Monday's game. The Chicago offense collected 14 hits in the loss but left nine men on base and finished 3 for 13 with runners in scoring position. Chicago had not yet announced a starting pitcher at the time of this preview and will likely heavily rely on the bullpen Wednesday.