Chicago Cubs at New York Yankees odds, picks and predictions
The Chicago Cubs (41-46) and New York Yankees (48-41) play game 2 of their 3-game series in the Bronx Saturday. First pitch at Yankee Stadium is slated for 1:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Yankees and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 1-0; Yankees swept 3-0 in 2022
The Cubs are 3-2 on their current 7-game road trip after shutting out the Yankees 3-0 Friday — behind RHP Jameson Taillon (W, 8 IP, 0 ER, 1 H). The Cubs are averaging 5 runs per game over their last 5. They are 14-14 during interleague play this season.
The Yankees are 2-3 on their current 7-game homestand, winning the first 2 before dropping 3 in a row with Friday’s loss. They have struggled to score, plating just 4 runs in the 3-game skid and producing 3.6 runs per game over their last 5. New York is 13-8 in interleague play.
Cubs at Yankees projected starters
LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP Gerrit Cole
Smyly (7-5, 4.10 ERA) will make his 18th start. He has a 1.31 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9 in 90 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K in 8-6 loss at Milwaukee Brewers Monday
- Last regular-season start vs Yankees: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 5-3 home loss Sept. 20, 2016 as member of Tampa Bay Rays
- 2023 away splits: 4-3, 3.08 ERA (49 2/3 IP, 17 ER), 1.37 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, .257 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts
Cole (8-2, 2.79 ERA) will make his 19th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 in 109 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 5-1 loss at St. Louis Cardinals Sunday
- Last start vs Cubs: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 12 K in 6-5 home victory May 27, 2019 as member of Houston Astros
- 2023 home splits: 5-1, 2.82 ERA (67 IP, 21 ER), 1.10 WHIP, 10.3 K/9, .214 OBA in 11 starts
Cubs at Yankees odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:24 a.m. ET.
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Cubs at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 4, Cubs 2
AVOID
The Yankees (-200) get back on track in this one with their ace Cole on the hill. There’s a reason the juice will cost 2 units to win 1 in this one. AVOID and look to the run line.
BET YANKEES -1.5 (+104).
While I wish the odds were a little better, I’ll still take the Yankees to cover this run line.
Cole has owned the Cubs in his career. In his last 5 starts against Chicago, he is 3-1 with a 1.03 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 35 innings. Plus, as mentioned, he has only 1 loss at home this season..
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AVOID, but I am leaning Under 8 (-105). I may put half a unit on this, but I’m not in love with it.
The reason for considering a small bet is because Cole has allowed more than 2 earned runs just once in his last 6 starts, and Smyly has a great history against the Yankees, having not allowed more than 2 earned runs in any of his last 5 starts against New York.
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