Series Preview: Blue Jays look to end offensive struggles vs. Cubs

The Toronto Blue Jays will look to get the bats going again when they host the Chicago Cubs this weekend at Rogers Centre.

Toronto scored a grand total of seven runs in a four-game series in Cleveland against the Guardians, though still managed a split thanks to mostly excellent starting pitching.

Hitting with runners in scoring position, a season-long problem, was in the spotlight yet again.

The Blue Jays had 32 hits in four games and just couldn’t find a way to score enough.

This series wraps up 17 games in 17 days for the Blue Jays.

Here’s a look at the Blue Jays-Cubs series.

Blue Jays on Sportsnet NOW

The Streaming Home of the Blue Jays. Stream the Jays all season long, plus marquee MLB matchups, the All-Star Game and Postseason.

Choose Plan

Full Schedule

.acf-block-preview .br-snippet {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;
gap: 20px;
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 16px;
border: 1px solid #CECECE;
background-color: #FFF;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info a {
text-decoration: none;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-title {
color: #343434;
font-family: ‘roboto’;
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
line-height: 22px;
margin-bottom: 10px;
top: -3px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-body {
color: #343434;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
line-height: 20px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title {
display: inline-block;
font-family: ‘urw-din’;
font-size: 16px;
list-style-type: none;
width: auto;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-snippet-info .br-snippet-link-title:not(:last-child):after {
content: ‘ | ‘;
color: #343434;
}

Probable Pitchers

Friday, 7:07 p.m. / 4:07 p.m. PT, Apple TV+, Sportsnet 590 The Fan: Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (9-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Chicago RHP Javier Assad (1-2, 3.35 ERA)

Saturday, 3:07 p.m. ET / 12:07 p.m. PT, Sportsnet, SN NOW: Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (11-6, 3.87 ERA) vs. Chicago LHP Justin Steele (13-3, 2.68 ERA)

Sunday, 1:37 p.m. ET / 10:37 a.m. ET, Sportsnet, SN NOW: Toronto LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (0-1, 4.00 ERA) vs. Chicago RHP Jameson Taillon (7-6, 5.17 ERA)

Latest on the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays (65-52) went 5-2 on their road trip through Boston and Cleveland, but find themselves just 1.5 games ahead of the red-hot Seattle Mariners in the race for the final wild-card spot in the American League.

The Mariners have won seven in a row to put the heat on Toronto.

The Blue Jays lost 4-3 in the series finale in Cleveland on Thursday.

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-275774” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).data(‘permalink’);

/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6333089351112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6333089351112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6333089351112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)

if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( document ).one( “ready’, function() {
$( “#video_container-275774” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: true,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6333089351112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
section: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6333089351112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/mlb-highlights-guardians-4-blue-jays-3/”
});
});

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-415685” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).data(‘permalink’);

if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( document ).one( “ready’, function() {
$( “#video_container-415685” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: false,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6333089351112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
section: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6333089351112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/mlb-highlights-guardians-4-blue-jays-3/”
});
});

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::before {
content: “”;
position: absolute;
top: 45%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
height: 0px;
border-top: 14px solid transparent;
border-left: 22px solid #fff;
border-bottom: 14px solid transparent;
margin-left: 3px;
}

Toronto cut Cleveland’s 4-1 lead to one run in the seventh before things unravelled. George Springer was ejected after he struck out on a low pitch, and manager John Schneider was also tossed when he joined the argument.

Alejandro Kirk popped up and Davis Schneider struck out to end the threat.

Latest on the Cubs

The Cubs (59-56) are back in the playoff mix, just a few weeks after some wondered if they’d be a seller at the trade deadline.

Chicago has won 16 of its last 22. The Cubs are a half-game back of the Miami Marlins for the National League’s final wild-card spot and 2.5 games behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs did cool down before an off-day Thursday, losing two of three against the New York Mets.

Chicago loaded the bases in the ninth inning of the series finale on Wednesday but could not cash in the tying run and lost 4-3.

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-205188” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).data(‘permalink’);

/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)

if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( document ).one( “ready’, function() {
$( “#video_container-205188” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: true,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6332751849112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
section: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6332751849112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/how-tauchman-has-propelled-red-hot-cubs-into-playoff-race/”
});
});

var adServerUrl = “”;
var $el = $( “#video_container-393512” );
var permalink = $el.closest(‘.snet-single-article’).data(‘permalink’);

/*
if ( “1” == true && ‘undefined’ !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) {
var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}};
adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( ‘http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384’, so, permalink);
} else {
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384”;
}
*/
adServerUrl = “http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640×360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300×250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6332751849112&cmsid=384”;
var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes(“cust_params”);
var queryString=”;
if(adServerUrl_result){
var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem(“theRED_loc”)

if(gettheDUFI){
queryString += “dufiid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
queryString += “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
var ppid = “ppid=” + gettheDUFI + ‘&’;
}

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem(“DUFI_IP”)

if(DUFI_IP){
queryString += “dufiip=” + DUFI_IP + ‘&’;
}

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + ‘cust_params=” + encodeURIComponent(queryString) );
}

$el.after( unescape(“%3Cscript src=”” + (document.location.protocol == “https:” ? “https://sb” : “http://b”) + “.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js” %3E%3C/script%3E”) );

$( document ).one( “ready’, function() {
$( “#video_container-393512” ).SNPlayer( {
bc_account_id: “1704050871”,
bc_player_id: “JCdte3tMv”,
//autoplay: false,
//is_has_autoplay_switch: false,
bc_videos: 6332751849112,
is_has_continuous_play: “false”,
adserverurl: adServerUrl,
section: “”,
thumbnail: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6332751849112-1024×576.jpg”,
direct_url: “https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/how-tauchman-has-propelled-red-hot-cubs-into-playoff-race/”
});
});

Strong Arms

The Blue Jays now lead the majors with a team ERA of 3.72.

Welcome Back

Reliever Julian Merryweather, acquired by the Blue Jays in the trade sending Josh Donaldson to Cleveland in 2018, returns to Rogers Centre for the first time since he was designated for assignment by Toronto and claimed by the Cubs in January.

After battling injuries for much of his time in Toronto, Merryweather has made a career-high 50 appearances this year. He has given up just one run in his past 8.2 innings.

Blue Jays great Jose Bautista joins the Level of Excellence on Sportsnet

The Toronto Blue Jays will add star slugger Jose Bautista to the Level of Excellence ahead of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Full coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET/ 11:30 a.m. PT with a special edition of Blue Jays Central, followed by the ceremony and the game all on Sportsnet and SN NOW.

Watch on SN NOW

Bautista set to take rightful place on Blue Jays’ Level of Excellence

Catcher Yan Gomes, a Blue Jays draft pick who made his MLB debut with Toronto in 2012, is completing a two-year contract with the Cubs.

No Stro Show

Cubs right-hander and former Blue Jay Marcus Stroman is sidelined with right hip inflammation.

Stroman threw a 40-pitch bullpen session earlier this week as he attempts to make his way back to the roster.

Stroman is 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA in his past seven starts after a strong start to the season.

Man of Steele

Steele, Saturday’s starter for the Cubs, is tied for the MLB lead in wins and is second in ERA. The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star this year.

2022 Season Series

The Blue Jays took two of three from the visiting Cubs last August. All the games were decided by two or fewer runs.

Out of Town

The Mariners host the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles in the most interesting out-of-town series for Blue Jays fans. Baltimore is seven games up on Toronto.

The Houston Astros, 1.5 games ahead of Toronto for second in the wild-card race, entertain the Los Angeles Angels.

The Tampa Bay Rays, four games ahead of Toronto for first in the wild-card race, host the Guardians.

Up Next

The Blue Jays host Canadian-born manager Rob Thomson and the reigning NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game series, starting Tuesday.

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 20px;
}

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
color: black;
}

Source link

#Series #Preview #Blue #Jays #offensive #struggles #Cubs

Zittrex Store

Cart

Cart

Series Preview: Blue Jays look to end offensive struggles vs. Cubs