The Cubs and Blue Jays wrap up their series in Toronto as Matthew Boyd faces Max Scherzer in a tilt that leans Cubs’ way on the mound but features a dangerous Jays lineup that mustered only two hits in a recent loss. Horton dazzled last time, yielding one hit and one run across 5.2 innings to push his win total to seven, with Matt Shaw and Michael Busch matching with home runs for Chicago. Toronto’s bats were quiet, making bullpen depth and game plan critical in this afternoon’s outing.

NBC Sports’ projection model and staff picks favor a Cubs-led matchup with a tight run total at 8.0 and a 1.5 spread in the Jays’ favor at Rogers Centre. Boyd’s 11-5 record and 2.46 ERA contrast with Scherzer’s 4.21 ERA, but recent strikeout bursts for Scherzer—five, five, then 11 in his last three starts—keep his upside in play. The Cubs’ offense, led by Horton, Shaw, and Busch, has shown pop when needed, while Toronto’s rotation advantage hinges on execution and limiting Chicago’s big-inning threats.

The Cubs pulled off a controlled offensive display in Toronto, with Michael Busch delivering a solo shot that stretched into the stands for his 23rd homer, followed by Matt Shaw’s 10th, giving Cade Horton comfortable run support. Horton worked the Blue Jays in waves, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth and finishing with eight strikeouts as Chicago built a 4-0 lead before the Jays finally mounted a response. Toronto finally cracked Horton when Andres Giménez singled with one out in the sixth, but Kevin Gausman settled in after a rough start, leaving Toronto scoreless until Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivered an RBI double off Andrew Kittredge in the eighth. The Jays’ only other highlight was Guerrero Jr.’s two-base hit coming with Bichette at third in a tense moment that could have changed the frame, while Miguel Amaya left late after injuring his left leg on a dive to beat out an infield single. Daniel Palencia closed out the win with a clean ninth, earning his 16th save as the sellout crowd watched a brisk two-hour, 27-minute game at Rogers Centre.

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.

The Cubs grabbed a 4-1 win over Toronto behind a breakout start from rookie Cade Horton and early power from Michael Busch and Matt Shaw. Horton stranded the Jays’ best early swings, retiring the first 10 batters in order and fanning eight as he carved through six-plus innings. Busch slugged his 23rd homer of the year in the third, Shaw added his 10th two frames later, giving Chicago an early cushion that held up despite a late Blue Jays rally. Toronto finally dented Horton with a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RBI double in the sixth, but the Cubs bullpen slammed the door. Amaya left with an injury in the eighth, and Daniel Palencia closed it out for his 16th save as Chicago out-hit Toronto 6-2 in front of a sellout crowd.

Gausman pitched well for Toronto, yielding three hits and two runs over seven innings with three strikeouts and one walk. The Jays’ bid for a comeback faltered as Chicago’s offense provided just enough support, and Horton’s 28 2/3-inning scoreless streak came to an end with Guerrero’s double. The interleague tilt wraps with Max Scherzer slated to start for Toronto against Matthew Boyd as the series concludes. For fantasy players, Horton’s breakout adds a tantalizing late-season probability of a reliable rookie in Chicago’s rotation, while Busch and Shaw continue to supply homer upside from the Cubs’ lineup.