The Chicago Cubs bring a struggling offense across the border as they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series that opens on Tuesday night.
After losing 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, the Cubs are 10-11 since the All-Star break and have averaged just 4.1 runs per game while the surging Milwaukee Brewers have taken command of the National League Central.
While 4.1 runs per game isn’t awful, it’s a far cry from the 5.3 runs the Cubs averaged prior to the All-Star Game.
One Cub who’s not responsible for the slowdown is rookie third baseman Matt Shaw. After hitting a two-run homer on Sunday, he has three home runs in his past four games and seven in 63 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He owns a .328/.349/.770 slash line with 15 RBIs in his 20 games since the break.
“We should all be really proud of what Matt has done this year,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Shaw hit .198/.276/.280 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 63 games before the All-Star break.
“We’ve talked about Matt so much this year, of what the mechanics are and this and that,” said Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly. “What I’ve seen from him the most is just the intent to hit the ball really hard. And I think a lot of that has just come with confidence and comfort.”
The Cubs, who lost two of three in St. Louis, will complete their six-game road trip against the Blue Jays, who are returning from a 4-2 trip.
The Blue Jays avoided a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday with a 5-4 victory. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger hit home runs in the eighth and Ernie Clement’s blast in the ninth proved to be the winner.
Clement is batting .424/.441/.818 with three homers, four RBIs and 10 runs scored in his past seven games. Nine of his 14 hits in that span came in the three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
The Blue Jays used seven relievers Sunday after starter Eric Lauer lasted only three innings. It was left to rookie left-hander Mason Fluharty to get the final two outs with the bases loaded to earn his first career save. He fanned Shohei Ohtani and retired Mookie Betts on a grounder.
Toronto used 20 players overall to push its AL East lead to four games over Boston.
“Any time it is one of those team wins, that’s kind of what it’s all about,” Clement said. “And it’s kind of been how our season has been. It’s how we win ballgames, just relying on everybody.”
“The Dodgers are a good measure to see where you’re at,” Lauer said.
“This is what you play for,” said Toronto manager John Schneider. “You try to put yourselves in those moments and you try to slow it down a little bit, hopefully knowing that you are going to be in those again.”
Despite dominating the Rockies last week, the Blue Jays have lost eight of their past 14.
The Blue Jays are expected to start right-hander Jose Berrios (8-4, 3.89 ERA), who is 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA in 20 1/3 innings over four career starts against the Cubs. Right-hander Ben Brown (5-7, 6.04) is Chicago’s probable starter. He has not faced the Blue Jays.
Toronto could have second baseman Andres Gimenez back from a sprained ankle by Tuesday. Outfielder George Springer (concussion) is still out.
The Blue Jays also could have a better idea of how right-hander Shane Bieber, who has been on a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Buffalo, might fit into their rotation. He pitched Saturday against Toledo and allowed two runs and four hits over 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and one walk.
The Cubs are expecting right-hander Jameson Taillon to return soon from a strained calf.
–Field Level Media
