Game Overview
The Chicago Cubs (62–57) travel north of the border to open a series against the Toronto Blue Jays (60–59) on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 PM ET at Rogers Centre, with Toronto looking to close the gap in the AL Wild Card race and the Cubs trying to keep pace in the NL postseason picture. This interleague matchup brings a little extra intrigue for bettors, as both clubs are hovering near the playoff cut line. Stay ahead of the game with our full slate of MLB previews — see them all on our MLB picks page.
Team Analysis
The Cubs have been playing .500 ball over the last couple of weeks, showing flashes of strong pitching backed by timely hitting, but also stretches where the offense disappears. Ben Brown gets the start for Chicago, and while his high-strikeout stuff has potential, command has been his biggest hurdle. If he limits free passes, he can neutralize a Blue Jays lineup that’s been inconsistent. Offensively, the Cubs will lean on Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki to set the tone, especially in a park that can reward power to the gaps.
Toronto’s season has been a grind, but they’re still in striking distance of a postseason spot. José Berríos takes the mound, and his home splits have been solid — mixing a lively fastball with a curveball that can give right-handers fits. The Jays’ lineup hasn’t produced at the level many expected, but with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette healthy, there’s always potential for a breakout game. The key for Toronto is stringing together quality at-bats rather than relying solely on the long ball.
Head-to-Head & Storylines
These teams don’t see each other often, which removes a lot of the familiarity factor and shifts the edge toward whoever adjusts faster. The Cubs are coming in with a chance to gain ground in a crowded NL Wild Card chase, while the Jays need every win they can get to avoid falling further back in the AL race. The urgency on both sides could make for a tightly played series opener.
Pitching Matchup
Ben Brown’s arsenal is built to rack up strikeouts, but his tendency to run deep counts can shorten his outings. That puts pressure on Chicago’s bullpen, which has been shaky in high-leverage spots. Berríos has the advantage in both experience and recent form, especially at home, where he’s been able to pitch deeper into games.
Key Players to Watch
For Chicago, Cody Bellinger’s power and ability to hit in clutch spots make him a threat every time he steps in the box. For Toronto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the obvious power source, but Daulton Varsho’s speed and defensive range can also impact the game on both sides of the ball.
Recent Form & Critical Factors
The Cubs have been trading wins and losses recently, making them a tough team to trust against top-tier starters. Toronto has been inconsistent as well but tends to play better at Rogers Centre. One critical factor here is bullpen reliability — whichever team can bridge the gap from starter to closer without damage is likely to come out ahead. Don’t miss any of today’s matchups — explore more MLB game previews now.
Best Bets & Prediction
- Blue Jays Moneyline — Berríos’ home dominance and Toronto’s urgency in the standings give them the edge.
- Under 8.5 Runs — If both starters settle in, this could be a lower-scoring game than the park factor suggests.
- First Five Innings – Blue Jays ML — Back Berríos to outduel Brown in the early going.
Final Score Prediction: Blue Jays 4 – Cubs 2. Toronto rides a strong start from Berríos and just enough offense to secure the opener at home.
