The New York Yankees are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs this Sunday at Wrigley Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT. This interleague matchup promises to deliver excitement as both teams vie for crucial wins.
Currently, New York holds a record of 81-60 (SU), with 74 wins against the spread and 78 overs/unders. On the mound for the Yankees will be right-hander Gerrit Cole, who boasts a 6-3 record this season along with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP in 13 starts.
On the other side, the Cubs come into this game with a record of 72-69 (SU), 67-74 against the spread, and 65 overs/unders. They will send righty Jameson Taillon to the hill, who has a 9-8 record, a 3.66 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP from his 24 starts this season.
*This article was prepared before the conclusion of Saturday’s game.
Cole’s Strong Return to Elite Form
The Yankees claimed victory in the opening game of this series, defeating the Cubs 3-0. With this win, New York remains in the hunt for the AL East title, trailing Baltimore by just half a game. The question now is whether they can maintain their winning momentum as they approach the postseason.
The Yankees currently rank second in on-base percentage (.335) and first in on-base plus slugging (.773), having hit 213 home runs this season, also the highest in the league. Leading the charge are CF Aaron Judge, who has an impressive OPS of 1.157, and RF Juan Soto, with an OPS of 1.011. The pitching staff has a collective ERA of 3.86, placing them ninth in the league, with a WHIP of 1.26 at sixteenth.
Gerrit Cole will take the mound on Sunday. In his last appearance, he allowed just one run over four hits while striking out nine in a six-inning win against Texas. This season, he has recorded a 4-2 record with a 3.38 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in his six road starts. Since the All-Star break, Cole has been particularly effective, going 4-2 with a 2.76 ERA and a 52:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio over eight starts (45.2 innings). Notably, he has fared well against the Cubs in his career, holding an 11-3 record with a 2.61 ERA across 16 appearances (103.1 innings).
Cubs’ Second-Half Surge: Can They Keep It Up?
The Chicago Cubs find themselves three games above .500, yet they trail division leader Milwaukee by nine games in the NL Central. As the season winds down, the question remains: Can the Cubs make a significant push for a playoff spot this September?
The Cubs rank twelfth in on-base percentage (.316) and fourteenth in OPS (.710), hitting 149 home runs, which puts them nineteenth in the league. Key players include LF Ian Happ, who has an OPS of .805, and RF Seiya Suzuki, boasting an OPS of .834. Their pitching staff has been strong, holding a 3.78 ERA, placing them seventh in the league, and a WHIP of 1.24, which ranks eleventh.
Jameson Taillon will start for the Cubs on Sunday. In his latest outing, he threw seven innings without allowing a run, earning a no-decision against Pittsburgh. At home, he has recorded a 5-4 record with a 2.64 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over 12 starts. Against the Yankees, Taillon holds a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA in two career appearances (13.1 innings).
Smart Bets for Yankees vs. Cubs Showdown
Gerrit Cole has showcased his dominance recently, holding his last six opponents to three runs or fewer, allowing only seven runs over 34 innings. In contrast, Jameson Taillon has struggled with a 4.75 ERA since the All-Star break. Historically, the Yankees have had success against him, hitting .266 with a .318 OBP and .392 SLG in their encounters. With the Yankees ranking second in weighted runs created plus (wRC+) and first in walk rate since the break, they are poised to excel.
The Bronx Bombers are likely to unleash their offensive power against the Cubs on Sunday. It would be wise to place a bet on New York to cover the spread!
