MLB betting preview (Aug. 12): Cubs vs. Blue Jays predictions

Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a double to drive in two runs in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.

Photo credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Aug 12, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 12, 2025, 16:55 EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays will open a three-game interleague series with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.

Toronto is coming off a 4-2 road trip that included stops in Colorado and Los Angeles. After sweeping three games with the Rockies, the Blue Jays dropped two of three games to the Dodgers to close out the trip.

The Cubs dropped two of three to the St. Louis Cardinals over the weekend, but they still have a firm grasp on the top National League wild card spot.

Let’s take a look at the game odds for Tuesday’s series opener between the Cubs and Blue Jays, courtesy of bet365.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays odds

Cubs moneyline odds	+100
Blue Jays moneyline odds	-120
Runline odds	Blue Jays -1.5 (+160), Cubs +1.5 (-190)
Game total	Over 9 runs (-115), Under 9 (-105)
Date/time	Aug. 12, 7:07 p.m. ET

About the Cubs (67-50 SU, 56-61 ATS, 57-54-6 o/u)

After posting a 5-5 record over their last 10 games, the Cubs have fallen 6 1/2 games behind the surging Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. However, they’re still holding the top NL wild card spot entering this series and should be a lock for the postseason, barring a disaster down the stretch.

Bettors should know that the Cubs are one of the best offensive road teams in baseball. They rank first in road OPS (.779), and they’ve scored the second-most road runs in baseball (316 in 59 games) behind the Brewers. Chicago has also swatted the most road homers (93) in all of baseball.

Rogers Centre in Toronto has a ballpark factor of 100, which means the venue doesn’t particularly favour hitters or pitchers. However, there is data to suggest that when the retractable roof is open and there’s high humidity in the summer months, the ballpark is more hitter-friendly.

About the Blue Jays (69-50 SU, 70-49 ATS, 65-50-4 o/u)

The Blue Jays return home with a hearty 4 1/2-game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the American League East and a 78% chance of winning the division, according to FanGraphs. They have a 98% chance of making the playoffs, but also have the eighth-toughest schedule down the stretch (.510 SOS).

Perhaps more exciting for the Blue Jays, though, is that they’re set to get some key players back into their lineup soon. Infielder Andres Gimenez (ankle) and outfielder George Springer (concussion) are both on the mend and should be returning shortly. Toronto’s big trade deadline acquisition, Shane Bieber, is also progressing well in the minors in his Tommy John rehab and could join the rotation in the coming days and weeks.

The Blue Jays lead the big leagues in hits (1,099), team batting average (.269), and on-base percentage (.339).

Probable starting pitchers

Chicago: RHP Ben Brown (5-7, 6.04 ERA, 10.14 K/9)

Brown was moved to the bullpen after the Cubs picked up Michael Soroka ahead of the July 31 deadline, but he’s been reinstated to the rotation after Soroka strained his right shoulder in his Chicago debut. Brown last pitched on Aug. 4, holding the Cincinnati Reds to one run on two hits with five strikeouts over four innings of work. The right-hander boasts a fastball that averages 96 mph that he also complements with a knuckle curveball. He’ll also mix in a changeup to left-handed batters, but he’s primarily a two-pitch hurler.

Toronto: RHP Jose Berrios (8-4, 3.89 ERA, 7.64 K/9)

Berrios has been an effective innings-eater for the Blue Jays this season while posting around average to slightly below average advanced metrics. He was touched up for three earned runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 innings of work the last time he took the hill in Colorado. Berrios has very interesting day/night splits this season, posting an amazing 6-1 record with a 2.82 ERA across 15 night starts. However, he’s struggled during the day, going 2-3 with a 5.89 ERA across nine afternoon outings.

Notable injuries

Pitchers Mike Soroka (shoulder), Jameson Taillon (calf), Javier Assad (oblique), and Justin Steele (elbow) are all on the injured list for Chicago.

Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), pitcher Bowden Francis (shoulder), pitcher Yimi Garcia (ankle/elbow), infielder Andres Gimenez (ankle), outfielder George Springer (concussion), and pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) are on the shelf for the Blue Jays.

Weather

Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 27 C with a 60% chance of thunderstorms throughout the evening in Toronto. Winds will blow out to centre field at 11 mph if the retractable roof is open.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays betting trends

The under is 7-1-1 in Chicago’s last nine games.
The Blue Jays have the best record on the runline (70-49) in the majors.
The Blue Jays have hit the team total over in 39 of their last 64 games.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays player prop trends

Brown has recorded four or more strikeouts in 18 of his 19 appearances this season and is -172 (BetRivers) to record over 3.5 strikeouts against the Blue Jays, who strike out the least per game in baseball (6.71).
Matt Shaw has at least one hit in four straight games and 16 of his last 20. He’s -180 to get to a hit. Shaw has also homered in back-to-back games and is +550 to go deep.
Ernie Clement has homered in back-to-back games and three of his last four contests. He’s +765 to homer.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays best bets

Blue Jays moneyline: -110 for one unit (best odds @ Betway). The Blue Jays boast an impressive 38-19 record at Rogers Centre this season, and they have a big advantage in this starting pitching matchup. Brown will be making this spot start for the Cubs, and he likely won’t see the Blue Jays for a third time around the order, when the opposition has slashed a lofty .382/.417/.676 against him this season. There’s value on the home team here at close to even money odds.
Blue Jays team total over 4.5 runs scored: -105 for one unit (best odds @ Bet99). After a quiet series offensively against some quality Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers over the weekend, expect the Blue Jays to put up five or more runs on the board in this spot. They’ve averaged 7.5 runs per game over their last 10 contests and 4.85 runs per game over their last 20. And with Brown, a two-pitch hurler on the mound for the Cubs, Toronto should be able to mount an early attack and then tack on a few more runs against Chicago’s mediocre bullpen. Taking the over nine runs on the overall game total at around -110 odds may also be worth a look here, given Chicago’s significant offensive production on the road this season.