Free Pick | MLB | Wednesday | Aug. 13

Nelly’s has hit 68% in our last 25 MLB picks – get another win tonight!

#978 Toronto Blue Jays (Gausman) -125 over Chicago Cubs (Horton) 6:07 PM CT

Cade Horton has not allowed a run in his past four starts to provide a bright spot for a Cubs team that has struggled in the peak summer weeks, playing .500 ball since early June while Chicago has gone from a 6.5-game lead in the NL Central on June 17 to now trailing Milwaukee by 7.5 games for a demoralizing reality. Chicago has scored three or fewer runs in seven of 10 games so far in August and Kevin Gausman is a reliable option on the mound for the Blue Jays. Gausman has a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings since the All-Star Break with opponents hitting just .151 with a .484 OPS against him. Toronto did use five relievers last night, but no one threw more than 14 pitches, and the Blue Jays were off Monday as there should be no limitations. The Toronto offense has often done more than enough to avoid tense late-inning situations for the bullpen. With last night’s win Toronto is 54-30 since May 1 for an incredible run that puts Toronto on top of the American League, and the Blue Jays are 39-19 at home this season with a 14-3 run since June 30. Horton has just a 6.7 K/9 this season and while the 23-year-old may have a bright future, the current scoreless run has included three of four starts at Wrigley Field, and his only road start was in Chicago across town vs. the struggling White Sox. In his season numbers Horton has a 5.19 road ERA and an elite Blue Jays offense should spoil his scoreless streak quickly.