Cubs vs. Blue Jays (August 30): Stroman returns to Toronto as Gausman looks for rare rewards at Rogers Centre

When you need a win, it doesn’t matter how you get it, just that you get it. The Toronto Blue Jays needed a late rally and some clutch hits to beat the Chicago Cubs last night, but they got just what they needed just when they needed it.

Can they follow their extra-inning victory by securing the series win over the Cubbies?

After being swept at home by the Los Angeles Angels last weekend, the Blue Jays found themselves in a perilous position last night, down 4-0 with nine outs left.

But Danny Jansen pulled Toronto within one with a three-run homer in the seventh, Matt Chapman tied it with a RBI single in the eighth, and then Jansen stepped up big again to cap the comeback in the 11th, driving home Chapman with the winning run.

? GO D.J., THAT’S OUR D.J. ? #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/I4qnOcZ3ns

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 30, 2022

With the race for the three AL wild-card spots as competitive as it is, every win is important.

Tonight, the Blue Jays will look to pick up another one, with Kevin Gausman looking to pick up his 10th win of the season at home, where he has struggled at times this season.

Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Chicago Cubs (55-74, 27-36 away, 3rd in the NL Central) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (69-58, 37-28 home, 3rd in the AL East)
• Venue & Location: Rogers Centre (Toronto, Canada)
• Date: Tuesday, August 30, 2022
• Game Time: 7:07 p.m. Eastern Time

Cubs vs. Blue Jays Pitching Matchup

• Chicago Cubs: Marcus Stroman (2022: 18 starts, 3-6, 4.10 ERA)
• Toronto Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (2022: 24 starts, 9-9, 3.15 ERA)

Cubs vs. Blue Jays Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from other legal sports betting sites may also be mentioned in this article.

Moneyline

• Chicago Cubs +180
• Toronto Blue Jays -215

Over/Under

• Over 8 (-104)
• Under 8 (-118)

Run Line

• Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-118)
• Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-102)

Which Gausman Will Show Up Tonight at Rogers Centre?

His most recent start was so-so but were Gausman pitching as well at home as he has on the road for the most part this season, he would be in the AL Cy Young Award mix.

But while he is 6-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 12 road starts, he is just 3-6 with a 4.63 ERA in 12 home starts.

On the road, Gausman has nine quality starts and has allowed three or more runs just twice. But at home, he has just four quality starts and has allowed three or more runs six times.

The Blue Jays have won more of his starts in the months in which he has made as many or more away starts than home starts, while they have lost more of his starts in the months in which he has more home starts than away starts.

Four of his five starts this month have been on the road, and the Blue Jays have won all four, while losing his lone home start against Cleveland on the 14th.

In that start against the Guardians, Gausman gave up five runs and nine hits in 4.2 innings. He allowed four runs and nine hits at Boston last Thursday, but he didn’t allow a run in 21 innings in the other three starts.

Former Blue Jay Stroman Returns to Familiar Surroundings

He needs to reverse that trend tonight against the Cubs, given that the reverse has been true for Stroman.

This season, Stroman is 0-4 with a 6.92 ERA in eight home starts and 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in 10 starts on the road. Of his seven quality starts, six have come on the road.

But after allowing just two runs in four starts last month, Stroman has allowed at least two runs in each of his five starts this month, with four or more allowed in three starts.

However, this road start is a bit different than others for Stroman. Tonight’s game will mark his first start at Rogers Centre since being traded from the Blue Jays to the New York Mets in July 2019.

Stroman was drafted 22nd overall by Toronto in the 2012 MLB Draft, made his debut in 2014, and went 47-45 in 135 appearances (129 starts) with the Jays. At Rogers Centre, he went 24-22 with a 3.43 ERA in 72 appearances (68 starts).

Chicago Cubs vs. Toronto Blue Jays Prediction & Picks

Cubs vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Blue Jays to win

Cubs vs. Blue Jays Picks: Cubs/Blue Jays over 8 (Best Value: -103 at BetUS)

The Blue Jays won four of Gausman’s first five home starts but have won just one of his last seven. So, even though Toronto should win tonight, I don’t have nearly enough belief to back them.

However, I do expect there to be runs again tonight, and that is a play that I am backing with high confidence.

If you want to back the over and rather need 8 for the win and not the push, over 7.5 is available wherever you look, and for solid value. I happen to like the over 8 enough to recommend it, but it is always good to assess your options and whether value or having a little more room to work with is more important.

More MLB Content on Betting News

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