Monday, September 8, 2014

Rogers Centre in Toronto

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Monday night, the Chicago Cubs will take the field behind Jacob Turner (5 – 8, 5.54 ERA) as they square off against the Toronto Blue Jays and Marcus Stroman (9 – 5, 3.83 ERA).  It will be the 15th start and 25th appearance for Turner and the 18th start and 23rd appearance for Stroman. 

Jacob Turner picked up his first win as a Cub in his last outing.  Turner got the victory after holding the opposition to a run (on a solo home run) and 5 hits in 6.1 innings of work.  He struck out 7 while walking just 1.  Turner is just 1 - 1 in his 4 appearances for the Cubs after coming over from the Miami Marlins.  Overall, he is 3 -2 in his last 10 appearances.  Last season, Turner was 3 – 8 with a 3.74 ERA in 20 starts for the Marlins. 

Turner didn’t face the Blue Jays in 2013 and he has only seen 5 of the Toronto hitters before.   Juan Francisco is 1 for 3 against Turner with a solo home run. 

Marcus Stroman posted his 2nd straight victory in his last trip to the mound.  In that win, Stroman surrendered 2 runs and 7 hits in 6 innings.   He walked a batter and struck out 4.  After a brief losing streak, Stroman has regained his form.  He is 5 – 3 in his last 10 outings.  Prior to getting the call to Toronto, Stroman was 2 – 4 with a 3.03 ERA in 7 starts at Triple-A. 

Stroman has never faced the Cubs but if he shows Chicago what he has shown his last 2 opponents, he could be in line for another victory.            

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 69-64-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.3

Toronto Blue Jays Betting Trends

Toronto Blue Jays are 67-68-4 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Toronto Blue Jays is 0.1

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

09/03/14 SS Starlin Castro Ankle out for season
09/01/14 1B Anthony Rizzo Back out indefinitely
08/30/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 60-day DL (8/23), out for season
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 60-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Toronto Blue Jays

09/04/14 P Chad Jenkins Hand out for season
09/03/14 3B Brett Lawrie Back 60-day DL (8/6), out for season
07/09/14 RF Cole Gillespie Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
04/14/14 2B Maicer Izturis Knee 60-day DL (4/14)

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago

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