Cubs at Blue Jays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 14  —  Its Thursday, August 14 and the Cubs (68-51) are in Toronto to wrap up their series against the Blue Jays (70-51).  —  Matthew Boyd is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Max Scherzer for Toronto.

C.J. Kayfus adapts to life in the outfield and life in the big leagues  —  It would have been understandable if the Guardians had phoned it in at the trade deadline.  They were 40-48 on July 6th and had just lost their 10th game in a row.  Starting pitcher Luis L. Ortiz was facing an MLB suspension for illegal gambling activity.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Bryan Abreu poised to step up as Josh Hader lands on injured list  —  In this week's Closer Report, the Astros will be without their top closer as Josh Hader lands on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain.  With Bryan Abreu poised to step into the ninth-inning role …

Ohio's gambling oversight agency says it is working with MLB on investigation involving Guardians  —  COLUMBUS, Ohio — The agency that oversees sports gambling in Ohio says it is working with Major League Baseball on the investigation of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, but had no further comment.

Mets promoting prospect Nolan McLean to boost rotation  —  NEW YORK — Pitching prospect Nolan McLean will make his major league debut Saturday for the New York Mets, who are hoping the right-hander can provide a boost to a struggling rotation.  —  McLean, 24, is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Mets' farm system by ESPN.

Cardinals' Willson Contreras out of lineup with foot injury after being hit by pitch  —  ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras was not in the lineup against the Colorado Rockies a day after he was hit in the foot by a pitch and broke his bat in frustration.