The Cubs jumped on Kevin Gausman early, driving his fastball the other way and clipping him for solo shots by Michael Busch and Matt Shaw to grab a 2-0 lead. Chicago’s plan to attack the heater paid off as Gausman allowed two homers before Cade Horton turned in a dominant start, holding Toronto in check until a sixth-inning single broke up the no-hit bid. The Jays finally pushed a run across on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s RBI double in the sixth, but Chicago pulled away again late with two insurance runs in the eighth. Miguel Amaya exited with an ankle injury, casting a shadow over Chicago’s catching depth as the Cubs closed out a 4-1 win at Rogers Centre.

Gausman settled after the early damage, finishing seven innings with two earned on three hits, but the two homers were the difference. Horton, meanwhile, was electric, retiring the first 10 Blue Jays and limiting the damage until the sixth, when a single opened the door. The series concludes Thursday in a rubber game that could shape the direction of both teams’ rotations down the stretch. For fantasy managers, Horton’s breakout look and Busch/Shaw’s power provide a pair of must-monitor names, while Amaya’s injury could shuffle Cubs catching depth and bullpen roles.