August 19 03:20 MLB Chicago Cubs Toronto Overseas Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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The Chicago Cubs, who narrowly won thanks to their pitching staff, are set for Shohei Imamura (9 wins, 2 losses, 3.16 ERA) to challenge for his 10th win of the season. Imamura struggled in his recent outing against Cleveland on the 13th, allowing 7 runs over 5 innings, largely due to an error that quickly derailed him and led to the big scoring. However, it's rare for him to have back-to-back poor performances, and he's shown to be strong in day games at home, making him worth the bet. The Cubs' lineup scored 3 runs against Ian Happ's leadoff home run against Bassitt the day before, but a disappointing 1 hit in 8 at-bats with runners in scoring position left something to be desired. The failure to capitalize on the bullpen in the later innings leaves a lingering concern. Following a rain delay, the bullpen managed to hold up for 7 innings while allowing 2 runs, but Jorge Lopez, who gave up a home run in the 9th inning, seems to struggle in his closing role.
The Toronto Blue Jays, whose batting slump has led to consecutive losses, will have Bowden Francis (5 wins, 3 losses, 4.92 ERA) attempting to secure his 6th win of the season. Francis earned a victory on the 13th against the Angels with a strong 7-inning performance, allowing just 1 hit and 1 run, showing gradual improvement as a starter. Given that it's a day game on the road, a quality start is within reach. However, Toronto's lineup struggled against the Cubs' pitchers the previous game, scoring only 2 runs, including a solo home run by Edison Barger, leading to an increasing concern about their slump in this series. The significant drop in power from the middle of the lineup is especially detrimental. A perfect 3-inning outing from the bullpen may provide some consolation.
Toronto's batting performance during this series has been disappointing in many ways. There's a high likelihood of being shut down by Imamura. The crucial point will be how long Francis can hold up, but the Cubs' lineup has shown strong performance against Francis’ four-seam fastball, and Toronto's bullpen has the potential to crumble at any moment. The Chicago Cubs, who have the upper hand in terms of overall strength, sit closer to victory.
Predicted score: 6-3, Chicago Cubs win.
Handicap: Chicago Cubs win.
Over/Under: Over.