Cubs Return Home to Open Weekend Series Against Blue Jays

The Chicago Cubs and the rest of the NL Central are slowly watching the Milwaukee Brewers begin to run away with the division lead. The team did not help their chances this past week as they were swept on the road against the Cleveland Guardians. Chicago will enter the weekend at 59-63, 10.5 games outside of the division lead and 5.5 games from the final wildcard spot in the National League.

They will look to get back on track as they host the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field

Friday, August 16: Kyle Hendricks vs. Yariel Rodriguez

The Cubs will start Kyle Hendricks (3-10, 6.60) in the series opener on Friday. Hendricks is coming off a loss against the Minnesota Twins in his last outing, but not after recording his third quality start of the season. He allowed only two runs across six innings of work. He struck out five and walked one Twins batter in the start.

The Blue Jays will go with Yariel Rodriguez (1-5, 3.60) to begin the weekend. Rodriguez is making his 13th start of the season for Toronto. In his last time on the mound, Rodriguez allowed only one run in 5.2 innings of work against the Oakland Athletics. He has a 0.87 ERA so far in the month of August but hasn't faired well on the road in 2024 posting a 4.74 ERA across seven starts.

Today's Lineups

Chicago Cubs
1.) LF Ian Happ
2.) 1B Michael Busch
3.) DH Seiya Suzuki
4.) RF Cody Bellinger
5.) 3B Isaac Paredes
6.) 2B Nico Hoerner
7.) SS Dansby Swanson
8.) CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
9.) C Miguel Amaya

SP Kyle Hendricks

Toronto Blue Jays
1.) RF George Springer
2.) CF Daulton Varsho
3.) 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
4.) DH Spencer Horwitz
5.) C Alejandro Kirk
6.) 2B Will Wagner
7.) 3B Ernie Clement
8.) LF Joey Loperfido
9.) SS Leo Jimenez

SP Yariel Rodriguez

How to Watch

The first pitch for the series opener at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST. The game is available only on Apple TV+. Cubs fans can listen to the game on 670 The Score.