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MLB betting preview (Aug. 14): Cubs vs. Blue Jays predictions
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement (22) hits a three run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre.
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Greg Warren
Aug 14, 2025, 09:49 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays will play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
Chicago pulled out a 4-1 victory on Wednesday after Toronto claimed a 5-1 victory in the series opener on Tuesday.
Let’s take a look at the game odds for Thursday’s series finale courtesy of bet365.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays odds

Cubs moneyline odds
-115
Blue Jays moneyline odds
-105
Runline odds
Cubs -1.5 (+150), Blue Jays +1.5 (-180)
Game total
Over 8.5 runs (+105), Under 8.5 (-125)
Date/time
Aug. 14, 3:07 p.m. ET

About the Cubs (68-51 SU, 57-62 ATS, 57-56-6 o/u)

The Cubs received some excellent pitching from Cade Horton on Wednesday. He didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning and struck out a career-high eight batters. However, his scoreless innings streak did come to an end at 28 1/3 innings when Vladimir Guerrero laced an RBI double in the sixth inning. More importantly, Horton’s solid start put the bullpen in a good spot heading into this series finale, as everyone should be available with the exception of Ben Brown, who threw 55 pitches in relief on Tuesday.

About the Blue Jays (70-51 SU, 71-50 ATS, 65-52-4 o/u)

The Blue Jays managed just two hits on Wednesday, and they struck out a surprising 10 times. They strike out the least on average (6.69) per game in the majors, so it’s an indicator of just how well Horton pitched for the Cubs last night. Over the last 15 days, the Blue Jays are slashing an impressive .308/.366/.537 with a .903 OPS while scoring the third-most runs (78) in the majors during that span.
On Thursday, they’ll be facing former Blue Jay and southpaw Matthew Boyd. Toronto has done some serious damage vs. left-handed pitching this season, recording a .264 team batting average (third-best in majors), .a 341 on-base percentage (second-best in majors), and a .753 OPS (sixth-best in baseball).

Probable starting pitchers

Chicago: LHP Matt Boyd (11-5, 2.45 ERA, 8.03 K/9)
Boyd has been marvelous for the Cubs this season, and he’s on a nice run right now, holding the opposition scoreless in four of his last six starts. He’s also an incredible 4-1 with a 1.66 ERA in nine daytime starts this season, holding opponents to a .189 batting average. His 5.4% walk rate ranks in the 91st percentile, so the Blue Jays will have to hit their way on base Thursday afternoon.
Toronto: RHP Max Scherzer (2-2, 4.21 ERA, 9.38 K/9)
Scherzer has been solid for the Blue Jays since returning from injury in late June. He’s allowed four earned runs or less in each of his last eight starts and is coming off an emotional outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he lined up opposite Clayton Kershaw in a battle of future Hall of Famers. Scherzer held the high-powered Dodgers to two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out five.

Notable injuries

Pitchers Mike Soroka (shoulder), Jameson Taillon (calf), and Justin Steele (elbow) are all on the injured list for Chicago. Catcher Miguel Amaya was also carted off the field with an ankle injury on Wednesday.
Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), pitcher Bowden Francis (shoulder), pitcher Yimi Garcia (ankle/elbow), 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 under sunny skies. Winds will be blowing from right field to left field at just 6 mph.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays betting trends

  • The under is 9-1-1 in Chicago’s last 11 games.
  • The Blue Jays have the best home runline record (37-22) in the majors.
  • The Blue Jays have an impressive 23-12 record in interleague games this season.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays player prop trends

  • Scherzer has allowed five or more hits in four of his last 10 starts and seven of his last 10. He’s -135 to allow over 4.5 hits.
  • Boyd has allowed three earned runs or less in 17 of his 23 starts this season, averaging just 1.6 per game. He’s -140 to record under 2.5 earned runs.
  • Guerrero Jr. has recorded over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs in three straight games and at a 65% rate overall this season. He’s around -135 to break that barrier again.
  • Ernie Clement has homered in four of his last six games and is +700 to go deep on Thursday.

Cubs vs. Blue Jays best bets

  • Ernie Clement over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs: -120 for one unit (best odds @ DraftKings). Clement is swinging a hot bat right now, slashing .346/.358/.673 with a 1.032 OPS over the last 15 days while also smashing four homers in that span. But in a much larger sample size, he’s absolutely destroyed left-handed pitching this season, slashing .345/.376/.583 with a .959 OPS. Additionally, he’s beaten this number in eight of his last 10 games against left-handed starters. There’s also value in playing Clement to exceed 1.5 total bases at +133 odds over at BetRivers, a feat he’s accomplished in four of his last five games against southpaws.

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