SouthernWorldwide.com – The Chicago Cubs are looking to capitalize on their recent offensive resurgence as they face the struggling Toronto Blue Jays. This matchup features a crucial pitching duel, with the Cubs aiming to build momentum against a Blue Jays starter who has shown inconsistency.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been a frequent subject of analysis, largely due to the perceived value in their games. This often stems from their status as favorites, where they are not heavily favored, a situation exacerbated by numerous injuries to their pitching staff. Conversely, when they are underdogs, the odds are usually minimal, meaning their opponents’ favored status doesn’t come at an excessive price.
Yesterday, the Blue Jays were soundly defeated by the Cubs. Today, they will rely on a strong performance from Patrick Corbin to turn the tide. Corbin, once a highly regarded pitcher, has struggled this season, posting a 2-3 record with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. While he had a decent tenure with the Rangers, his time with the Nationals and now the Blue Jays has seen a decline in performance.
Corbin’s numbers are slightly better on the road, where he has pitched more innings and allowed fewer runs, resulting in a 3.57 ERA. However, his recent starts for the Blue Jays have been concerning. In his last three appearances, he has pitched only 11.2 innings, surrendering 11 runs on 17 hits. Notably, Cubs hitters have performed well against him, boasting a .316 batting average.
The Cubs themselves have been a perplexing team this season. They have experienced significant swings in performance, including two ten-game winning streaks and a ten-game losing streak. Since May 9th, the team has a .256 winning percentage. While injuries to their pitching staff, with only two healthy starters from the beginning of the season, have played a role, the team’s hitting has also been a point of concern.
Key offensive players like Nico Hoerner (.238 batting average), Ian Happ (.228), and Dansby Swanson (.177) have struggled to consistently produce. However, the Cubs’ offense showed signs of life yesterday, with Pete Crow-Armstrong looking like the promising five-tool player he was in the first half of last season. If the Cubs can stabilize their pitching, they may recapture the dominant form they displayed earlier in the year.
Today’s starting pitcher for the Cubs is Colin Rea, who has had a difficult month. In his last three starts, he has allowed 19 hits and 13 earned runs over 14.2 innings. Despite these recent struggles, Rea has been more effective at home, with a 3.03 ERA in five starts and six appearances. While Blue Jays hitters have limited experience against him, they are hitting .176 in 17 at-bats.
A clear player prop bet stands out in this game. Michael Conforto has an impressive track record against Patrick Corbin, going 12-for-36 with seven extra-base hits, including five home runs. It would be advisable to consider betting on Conforto to achieve at least 2 total bases, with favorable odds, and to hit a home run, particularly if the odds are +700 or better. These bets might require searching on alternative platforms if not immediately available on DraftKings.
If these specific prop bets are not accessible, an alternative play is to bet on the Cubs to win at -130. While Colin Rea’s reliability is questionable, he is expected to deliver a decent performance at home. Furthermore, the Cubs’ bullpen is likely to be fresher than the Blue Jays’. Therefore, the Cubs are the preferred choice to secure a victory in this contest.
