MLB · Sat, Jun 20 · 2:20 PM

Blue Jays at Cubs

O/U 9 · RL Cubs -1.5 · Wrigley Field

Gary's pick

Cubs ML-130

CONF 72%

Result

LLostFinal 8-6

The read

The sun is shining over the ivy at Wrigley Field as the Chicago Cubs look to build off yesterday's absolute offensive clinic and secure a series victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The biggest edge in this matchup lies in the stark tactical advantage the Cubs’ lineup holds over Blue Jays left-hander Patrick Corbin. Corbin has been incredibly vulnerable against right-handed hitters this season, surrendering a .297 AVG and a heavy .848 OPS, including all seven home runs he has allowed. Chicago is running out a lineup featuring seven righty or switch-hitters who are primed to tee off on his sinker/slider combination. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is currently riding a 22-game on-base streak and hitting .409 over his last eight games, absolutely crushes this profile with a .475 average against sinkers and a .683 xwOBA against sliders. Alongside Seiya Suzuki (.435 AVG against sinkers) and Alex Bregman, the Cubs possess the perfect heavy-righty formula to chase Corbin early, especially considering his recent struggles where he failed to even reach the fourth inning in his last two starts.

The main argument against backing Chicago is Colin Rea’s volatile 5.35 ERA and his MLB-worst 12.1% barrel rate allowed, which could play dangerously in today's hitter-friendly, 75-degree conditions with an 11 mph crosswind. However, Rea has been a completely different pitcher within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, posting a solid 3.03 ERA at home compared to a dismal 7.19 on the road. Furthermore, Rea is backed by a generational defense that ranks #1 in MLB with +31 Outs Above Average and +49 Defensive Runs Saved. Led by Crow-Armstrong's spectacular +14 OAA in center field, the Cubs' outfield has the elite range to track down deep fly balls and erase mistakes, providing a massive safety net that the Blue Jays simply cannot match.

While Toronto gets a nice boost from the return of Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. playing through back tightness, they are battling extreme road struggles (16-21) and the psychological hangover of yesterday's 16-2 blowout. The market is offering a very reasonable price of -130 on a surging Cubs squad that is 6-2 in their last eight and boasts a dominant 23-16 home record. With Corbin in a deep June slide (8.49 ERA over his last three starts) and the Cubs' lineup firing on all cylinders, expect Chicago's relentless offense and elite defense to carry the day at Wrigley. Take the Cubs to win this one outright.

Injuries noted

Cubs: [KNOWN] Cade Horton (Starting Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): The Cubs transferred Horton (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports. (May 8 — 43d ago) [KNOWN] Julian Merryweather (Relief Pitcher) — Hamstring (Left): Merryweather (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with the Twins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Tuesday, Theodore Tollefson of ZoneCoverage.com reports. (May 8 — 43d ago) [NEW] Matthew Boyd (SP) — Shoulder (Left): Boyd (knee/shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports. (Jun 17 — 2d ago) [NEW] Edward Cabrera (SP) — Hand (Right): Manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Cabrera's right hand is feeling better, and he's expected to be on a normal schedule leading up to his next start, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports. (Jun 17 — 2d ago) [NEW] Daniel Palencia (RP) — Elbow (Right): Palencia (2-1) worked around a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn the win in Monday's 5-4 victory over the Rockies. He struck out three. (Jun 16 — 3d ago) [KNOWN] Jameson Taillon (SP) — Hamstring (Left): Taillon (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. (Jun 9 — 10d ago) [KNOWN] Hunter Harvey (Relief Pitcher) — Triceps (Right): The Cubs moved Harvey (triceps) from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL on Sunday. (May 17 — 34d ago) [KNOWN] Porter Hodge (Relief Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): The Cubs transferred Hodge (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. (May 8 — 43d ago) [KNOWN] Riley Martin (RP) — Elbow (Left): Martin has been diagnosed with flexor strain in his left elbow and is expected to miss eight weeks, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports. (May 8 — 43d ago) Blue Jays: [NEW] Ernie Clement (2B) — Hip (Left): Clement (hip) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs. (Jun 20 — 0d ago) [NEW] Lenyn Sosa (2B) — Wrist (Right): Sosa (wrist) could begin a rehab assignment next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. (Jun 18 — 2d ago) [NEW] Addison Barger (RF) — Elbow (Right): Barger (elbow) might not begin a rehab assignment until early next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. (Jun 18 — 2d ago) [NEW] Max Scherzer (SP) — Back (Not Specified): The Blue Jays placed Scherzer on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to back spasms. (Jun 17 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Joe Mantiply (RP) — Knee (Left): Mantiply will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair some damage in his left knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. (Jun 3 — 16d ago) [KNOWN] Jose Berrios (Starting Pitcher) — Elbow (Right): Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Berrios underwent full Tommy John surgery Wednesday in addition to having a stress fracture repaired, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. (May 27 — 24d ago) [KNOWN] Cody Ponce (Starting Pitcher) — Knee (Right): Ponce underwent surgery Friday to repair the ACL in his right knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. (May 8 — 43d ago)

About this analysis

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Board stored June 20, 2026 at 11:33 AM ET.
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The displayed line is the value retained with the call. Stored sportsbook sources: fanduel, fanatics, caesars, draftkings, betmgm, betrivers.
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