The Toronto Blue Jays are 0-2 in their first two of three games against the Chicago Cubs this weekend, hoping a one-run swing can favour them Sunday afternoon.

They dropped Game 1 of the series Friday afternoon falling 6-5 when the Cubs walked them off in the bottom of the ninth, while Saturday’s penultimate game saw them, once again, lose by a single run. Down 3-1 heading into the the top of the ninth, Addison Barger hit a solo shot home run as the batting order rolled over.

The only problem? George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all struck out, with the latter of the three putting up an embarrassingly bad plate appearance, swinging at three down-and-away sliders including a third in which Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya very clearly lined up well off the plate.

It won’t get easier Sunday as the Cubbies send Shota Imanaga to the plate, who has put together an excellent first season in the Major League after leaving the professional Japanese circuit to come to North America. The Jays, meanwhile, respond with Bowden Francis, fresh off what might’ve been the best came of his own pro career. He faced of against the Los Angeles Angels last Monday, throwing 81 pitches across seven full innings, allowing one earned run off one hit and no walks, while fanning eight.

First pitch: 2:20 p.m. EST.

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590.

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Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.