Cubs vs Blue Jays Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 8/12/25

CHICAGO CUBS @ TORONTO (TOR -130, 8.5)

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Cubs vs Blue Jays Free Pick, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 8/12/25

CUBS @ BLUE JAYS 8/12/25

The Chicago Cubs travel to the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series that begins tonight. The Cubs offense has been struggling as of late. The Cubs are 10-11 since the All-Star break and have only averaged 4.1 runs per game, while the Milwaukee Brewers, who are on the rise, have taken control of the National League Central after Chicago’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday night.

Although 4.1 runs per game isn't bad, the Cubs' 5.3 runs per game average before the All-Star Game is much higher.

Matt Shaw, a rookie third baseman, is one Cub who is not to blame for the slowdown. He has hit three home runs in his last four games and seven in 63 plate appearances since the All-Star break, including a two-run homer on Sunday. In his 20 games since the break, he has 15 RBIs and a .328/.349/.770 slash line. Before the All-Star break, Shaw hit .198/.276/.280 in 63 games, including two home runs and 15 RBIs.

The Cubs will play the Blue Jays, who are coming off a 4-2 road trip. The Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5–4 on Sunday, avoiding a three-game sweep. Ernie Clement's home run in the ninth proved to be the game-winning hit. Addison Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit homers in the eighth.

In his last seven games, Clement is batting 424/.441/.818 with three home runs, four RBIs, and ten runs scored. During that three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, he recorded 9 of his 14 hits.

Eric Lauer, the starter, only lasted three innings on Sunday. Toronto used seven relievers. Mason Fluharty, a rookie left-hander, earned his first career save by getting the final two outs with the bases loaded. He retired Mookie Betts on a grounder and fanned Shohei Ohtani. Toronto increased its AL East lead to four games over Boston with a total of 20 players used in that final game on Sunday.

The Blue Jays have dropped eight of their last 14 games, even though they dominated the Rockies last week. 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, is anticipated to start for the Blue Jays. Ben Brown, a right-hander (5-7, 6.04), is likely to start for Chicago. The Blue Jays have not faced him.

By Tuesday, second baseman Andres Gimenez of Toronto might return from a sprained ankle. George Springer, an outfielder, is still out due to a concussion. Additionally, the Blue Jays may have a better idea of how right-hander Shane Bieber, who has been at Triple-A Buffalo on a rehabilitation assignment, might fit into their rotation. In 5.2 innings pitched against Toledo on Saturday, he gave up two runs and four hits while recording six strikeouts and one walk.

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FREE PICK: BLUE JAYS OVER 3.5 RUNS

Ben Brown starts for the Cubs and, even though he only gave up 1 ER in each of his last 2 starts, he has the potential to give up many more. Brown’s ERA this season is 6.04 and it’s a bit higher when he pitches on the road (6.24). Brown has never faced Toronto and that may help him early on, but Toronto is just too good. They’ve scored at least 4 runs in 7 of their last 10 and 16 of their last 20 games. The game total is now up to 9.5, suggesting a high-scoring game.