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Blue Jays vs Cubs Expert Picks, Props & Predictions

Chris Amberley

By Chris Amberley in MLB Baseball

Published:


Pete Crow-Armstrong smacks a home run vs the Rockies.
Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) hits a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
  • The Cubs are -120 favorites this afternoon over the Blue Jays
  • I’m predicting a low-scoring pitcher’s duel today with Kevin Gausman and Ben Brown on the mound
  • Get the best Blue Jays vs Cubs expert picks, props and predictions, below

The Chicago Cubs (39-36) open a new series at Wrigley Field today, as home favorites in the MLB odds against the Toronto Blue Jays (36-38). First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST, with the MLB weather forecast calling for sunshine and 74 degree game-time temperatures.

The Blue Jays enter play red-hot after sweeping the Red Sox, but I’m expecting Chicago to cool them off. Toronto will look to veteran Kevin Gausman on the mound, while the Cubs hand the ball to Ben Brown.

Below, you’ll find my best Blue Jays vs Cubs expert picks, props and predictions for the Interleague matchup.

Blue Jays vs Cubs Expert Picks

  • Cubs Moneyline (-120 at Caesars)
  • Under 7.5 Runs (-125 at BetMGM)
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My top two wagers today are the Cubs moneyline and Under 7.5 runs. When breaking down this afternoon’s matchup, starting pitching stands out as the most critical factor. Brown has been dominant, boasting a 1.74 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over 62.0 innings pitched. He draws a highly favorable matchup against a Blue Jays lineup that has struggled to generate consistent power on the road.

On the visitors’ side, Gausman has been reliable, carrying a 3.41 ERA across 87.0 innings. However, the Cubs offense has a slight statistical edge, producing a .731 OPS with 214 extra-base hits. Given the pitching profiles, runs should be at a premium today.

Backing the home team makes the most sense from an analytical standpoint. Brown’s elite run-prevention metrics give the Cubs a significant upper hand.

With both starters sporting low WHIPs, combined with two offenses that feature modest slugging metrics, a low-scoring game script is the most likely outcome.

Kevin Gausman vs Ben Brown Stats

StatisticBen BrownKevin Gausman
Win-Loss Record2-14-4
ERA1.543.84
WHIP0.881.07
FIP (Season)2.363.20
K/98.787.82
BB/92.631.53
Opponent BA.169.241
IP per Start5.195.87

When diving into the numbers, Brown’s dominance immediately jumps off the page. Over his last 10 outings, he has suppressed opposing offenses to a microscopic 1.54 ERA and a suffocating .169 opponent batting average. His elite arsenal makes him incredibly difficult to square up.

Gausman brings a steady presence to the mound. Over his last 10 starts, he pitched to a sturdy 3.84 ERA while demonstrating immaculate control, walking just 1.53 batters per nine innings. This matchup pits Gausman’s elite command against Brown’s overpowering strikeout ability.

Offensively, the mismatch is pronounced when looking at the MLB starting lineups data. While the Blue Jays hit for a slightly higher average on the road (.249) than the Cubs do at home (.244), the Blue Jays rank a dismal 26th in average exit velocity in away games.

Conversely, the Cubs sit in the top 10 in both home OPS (.747) and average exit velocity (88.8 mph). With star shortstop Dansby Swanson anchoring the lineup, the home club is far better equipped to produce runs.

Blue Jays vs Cubs Odds

Odds as of June 19. Claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on MLB today.

Blue Jays vs Cubs Betting Splits

Moving over to the MLB public betting splits, where the moneyline wagering show a divided market. The ticket counts are nearly split down the middle, with a razor-thin majority of 50.8% backing the Cubs.

However, looking at the money percentage tells a different story. A significant 63.6% of the total betting handle is riding on the Blue Jays. This clearly indicates that the larger wagers are backing the road underdog today.

When it comes to the game total, the betting public and the heavier wagers operate in unison. A massive 81.0% of all tickets and 71.9% of the handle are banking on a high-scoring affair by betting the over. My under recommendation is a direct fade of consensus market sentiment.

Blue Jays vs Cubs Props and Predictions

  • Ben Brown Over 4.5 Pitcher Strikeouts (-122 at DraftKings)
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong to Record 2+ Total Bases (-125 at DraftKings)
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In the MLB props market, I’m targeting Brown over 4.5 K’s. Brown averages 8.85 strikeouts per nine innings. Getting this line at 4.5 provides excellent betting value for a pitcher possessing elite swing-and-miss stuff.

I’m also betting Pete Crow-Armstrong to record 2+ bases. Per the MLB batter vs pitcher stats, he slashes .276 with a .505 slugging percentage. Given his dynamic extra-base power, I expect him to exploit the matchup and record a base hit or two today.

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Chris Amberley
Chris Amberley

Sports Writer

As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.

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