Blue Jays vs Cubs Preview: Cease vs Imanaga in Week 65

Dylan Cease is a dominant pitcher who knows how to shut down offenses. The Blue Jays' probable starter has an incredible 1.12 ERA this season with 30 strikeouts. That's elite stuff. He'll face a Cubs team that just won 16-2 on Thursday but lost Friday night 8-6. Toronto's bats stayed hot in that loss. You're looking at a pitcher who rarely makes mistakes. Cease throws with precision and power. The Cubs' lineup better be ready to attack early. One mistake and the ball clears the fence.

Chicago dominated Thursday with a massive 16-2 win. The bats were absolute cannons. Kelly crushed a 428-foot bomb to left-center. Dean ripped a triple down the line. Swanson walked and scored. Then Friday came. Toronto roared back and won 8-6. Okamoto launched a three-run homer to left-center. Varsho went deep to right. The Cubs struck twice in the eighth but fell short. Now the Cubs are back home at Wrigley. They want revenge. Shota Imanaga takes the ball for Chicago. He's a steady veteran who pitched in Japan before joining the Cubs.

Toronto's lineup is banged up. Ernie Clement is day-to-day with hip soreness. He might hit the injured list if he doesn't return soon. Addison Barger sits on the 10-day IL with elbow inflammation. Lenyn Sosa is also out with a wrist injury. The pitching staff has real trouble too. Jose Berrios needed Tommy John surgery and won't return until 2027. Max Scherzer just landed on the IL with back spasms. Health matters in baseball. It changes everything. The Blue Jays still fought to 38-39 despite these issues. That shows toughness. Sunday is a chance to climb higher.