Cubs vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Game Two Preview
Photo credit: https://toronto.citynews.ca/
The Toronto Blue Jays look to win the series against the Chicago Cubs in the second matchup of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays (70-50) are now 39-19 at home, have the second best record in baseball trailing only the Milwaukee Brewers who have 75 wins.
They're growing a lead on the Boston Red Sox in the AL East and, at this rate, they could have control of the divisional race by Labor Day.
Blue Jays veteran Kevin Gausman is on the bump versus Cubs rookie Cade Horton tonight in game two. First pitch is at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Staring pitchers and team overviews for game two
In his last seven starts, Gausman is just 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA. He has struck out 45 and walked 14 in 41.2 innings.
For the season he has 135 strikeouts and 39 walks in 135.2 innings. The Cubs will have a hard time hitting against him as opposing batters have a .214 average. That's Gausman's best since 2021 (.210).
Cubs rookie Cade Horton is on a run right now, as he has won each of his last three starts. In that span he's thrown 17 innings, given up eight hits and no earned runs.
In 79.1 innings he has struck out 59 and walked 25. Batters are hitting .246 against him and he has a 1.22 WHIP.
He'll have to be careful to give up the long ball. He's allowed seven home runs this season.
Toronto has a 70-50 record overall and a 39-19 record in home games.
They are the first team in the American League to reach 70 wins this season. The Blue Jays have the seventh-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .428.
Chicago has a 67-51 record overall and a 31-28 record in road games.
The Cubs have a 29-11 record in games when they did not give up a home run.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
1. RF Nathan Lukes
2. SS Bo Bichette
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
5. DH Addison Barger
5. C Alejandro Kirk
7. CF Daulton Varsho
8. LF Joey Loperfido
8. 3B Ernie Clement
9 2B Andres Gimenez
SP Kevin Gausman
2. SS Bo Bichette
3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr
5. DH Addison Barger
5. C Alejandro Kirk
7. CF Daulton Varsho
8. LF Joey Loperfido
8. 3B Ernie Clement
9 2B Andres Gimenez
SP Kevin Gausman
Key Players to Watch
Ernie Clement has 23 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 39 RBIs for the Blue Jays.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is tied with Aaron Judge with 134 hits just trailing Bo Bichette for the league lead.
Guerrero is batting .300 with 19 home runs and an OPS of .889.
Kyle Tucker has 18 home runs, 76 walks and 62 RBIs while hitting .271 for the Cubs.
Dansby Swanson is 11 for 42 with a double, two home runs and six RBIs over the past 10 games.
Teams over the last 10 Games:
Blue Jays: 7-3, .325 batting average, 4.35 ERA, outscored opponents by 22 runs
Cubs: 4-6, .238 batting average, 2.86 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs
Position Player and Pitching Injuries:
Blue Jays: George Springer: 7-Day IL (head), Shane Bieber: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bowden Francis: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (elbow), Andres Gimenez: 10-Day IL (ankle), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (ankle), Anthony Santander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Cubs: Mike Soroka: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Miguel Amaya: 60-Day IL (oblique), Jameson Taillon: 15-Day IL (calf), Eli Morgan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Javier Assad: 60-Day IL (oblique), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow)
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