The New York Yankees (80-60, 2nd AL East) continue their interleague series at Wrigley Field on Saturday, facing off against the Chicago Cubs (72-68, 2nd NL Central). After a recent setback against the Texas Rangers, where they lost 10-6, the Yankees find themselves struggling, having dropped four of their last five games. Currently, they sit just a half game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East and maintain a solid lead in the AL wild card race, ahead by 4.5 games. Meanwhile, the Cubs recently halted a two-game losing streak with a commanding 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chicago trails the Milwaukee Brewers by nine games in the National League Central and is four games shy of the final NL wild card position. Both teams will be missing multiple pitchers, with New York sidelining eight and Chicago missing nine.
This article reflects the situation prior to the teams’ meeting on Friday.
New York’s Offensive Powerhouses Shine
The New York Yankees boast a potent offense, ranking in the top 10 across four key hitting categories. They are currently 2nd in runs scored (714), on-base percentage (.335), and slugging percentage (.439), and 9th in batting average (.252). Star player Aaron Judge leads not only the Yankees but all of baseball with 51 home runs and 124 RBIs. Juan Soto follows closely with 38 home runs and 98 RBIs. The team has showcased their depth, with seven players contributing between 42 and 124 RBIs, resulting in a total of 444 extra-base hits this season, including 213 home runs.
On the pitching side, New York ranks 9th in batting average allowed (.237) and ERA (3.88), with 12th place in Quality Starts (52) and 17th in WHIP (1.27). Carlos Rodon leads the rotation with 14 wins and 172 strikeouts, while Marcus Stroman holds a 4.03 ERA as a starter. Clarke Schmidt is slated to take the mound on Saturday, entering with a 5-3 record, a stellar 2.52 ERA, and 67 strikeouts..
Cubs’ Balance Between Hitting and Pitching
The Chicago Cubs present a well-rounded team, although they excel more on the mound. They are currently 12th in on-base percentage (.317) and runs scored (641), ranking 17th in batting average (.241) and 19th in slugging percentage (.396). Ian Happ is a standout player with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki follows with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. The Cubs have a solid lineup, with 10 players contributing between 22 and 81 RBIs, leading to a total of 404 extra-base hits this season, including 149 home runs.
Defensively, the Cubs rank 7th in ERA (3.78) and 10th in batting average allowed (.238). They also sit at 11th in Quality Starts (54) and 12th in WHIP (1.24). Shota Imanaga is a key player, leading the team with 12 wins, a 2.99 ERA as a starter, and 155 strikeouts. Javier Assad will be the starting pitcher for Chicago on Saturday, entering the game with a 7-4 record and a 3.21 ERA, along with 106 strikeouts.
Smart Betting Insights for Yankees vs. Cubs
New York has dominated the recent matchups, winning 12 of the last 15 encounters against Chicago. Additionally, the Yankees have claimed six of their last seven games played in Chicago. They excel in scoring, placing 2nd in runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage, while also ranking 9th in team batting average. On the pitching front, New York is 9th in ERA and batting average allowed. While Chicago shows strength with a solid 7th in ERA, they struggle offensively, sitting at 12th in runs scored and 19th in slugging percentage. Yankee pitcher Clarke Schmidt’s return from the injury list adds depth to their rotation. His impressive 2.52 ERA and recent performance, allowing just three runs in his last 24 innings, positions him as a key player. On the other hand, Cubs starter Javier Assad is facing challenges, having allowed six runs over his last two outings, spanning 13 innings. With Aaron Judge and Juan Soto leading the charge, New York possesses two of the most formidable sluggers in the league, making them a strong contender in this matchup.
