The Toronto Blue Jays will send right-handed pitcher Bowden Francis to the mound Sunday as they look to finish their three-game road series against the Chicago Cubs on a high note.
Watch the Blue Jays face the Cubs live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 2:20 p.m. ET / 11:20 a.m. PT.
Both games to start the series have been decided by a single run. The Cubs won 6-5 in the 10th inning during Friday’s opener and were victorious 3-2 Saturday after the game delayed twice in the second inning due to rain.
Francis (5-3, 4.92 ERA) allowed only one run on one hit and zero walks across seven innings during his most recent start Monday against the Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old also struck out eight and picked up the win as the Blue Jays defeated the Angels 4-2.
Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement is batting 11-for-41 with a home run and four RBIs over his last 10 games.
The Cubs will counter with left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, who leads the team with nine wins and 131 strikeouts. Imanaga (9-2, 3.16 ERA) is coming off of a rough start, giving up seven runs, three earned, on seven hits in five innings of work Monday during a 9-8 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Cubs outfielder Ian Happ leads the team with 22 home runs and has homered in both games of the series so far. Shortstop Dansby Swanson is batting 11-for-35 with two doubles and a triple over his last 10 games.
Toronto (57-66) is fifth in the American League East, while Chicago (61-63) is third in the National League Central.
Following Sunday’s game, the Blue Jays return home to host the Cincinnati Reds beginning Monday night.
