The Toronto Blue Jays look to test their bats against a record-setting rookie pitcher in Game 2 of a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
Coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Kevin Gausman (8-8, 3.85 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays and an opportunity to scratch a competitive itch after he was ejected from the dugout on his off-day against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 8. In his last start, Gausman struck out eight over seven innings in the record-setting 20-1 win over the Colorado Rockies.
While Gausman leads the team in strikeouts (135), he’ll face a Cubs team that rivals the Blue Jays in minimizing punch-outs. Chicago’s offence has the fourth fewest strikeouts, while Toronto is best in the majors. Gausman last pitched against the Cubs in 2022. The right-hander struck out nine batters in a 5-3 win.
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Watch Blue Jays vs. Cubs on Sportsnet
The American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays return home for a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Game 2 is Wednesday, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, with live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
On the other side, rookie RHP Cade Horton (6-3, 3.18 ERA) hasn’t given up a run in 23.1 consecutive innings, the longest scoreless streak by a Cubs rookie. Horton, 23, last played in a 6-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds, and has won his last three starts.
Horton, selected with the No. 7 overall pick in 2022, was the team’s top pitching prospect before being called up to make his professional debut in a 6-5 win over the New York Mets on May 10. Although Horton didn’t start, he took the mound in the second inning, striking out five in four innings of work.
The Blue Jays might be the biggest threat to Horton’s scoreless streak, particularly at the Rogers Centre. Toronto is 39-19 at home and is tied for the most home wins in the American League.
The Blue Jays displayed their comfort level at home in their 5-1 series opening win against the Cubs on Tuesday. Ernie Clement hit a three-run blast in the fourth inning, his third straight game with a home run, and his fourth in his last five games. Daulton Varsho also homered in the eighth inning, bringing his total to four since his return from injury.
Toronto is 50-3 when it scores five or more runs, which is best in the league.
The Blue Jays’ pitching staff might get an additional boost with Alek Manoah expected to start for the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday. Manoah reportedly will aim to throw 70-75 pitches in the rehab start.
