MLB Game Preview: Chicago Cubs (55-39) vs. New York Yankees (53-41)

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
First Pitch: 1:05 PM ET
Broadcast: YES Network, Marquee Sports Network, MLB.tv

Game Overview

The Chicago Cubs (55–39) look to bounce back after a lopsided 11–0 loss to the New York Yankees (53–41) in Game 1 of their weekend interleague series. Saturday’s matinee features a marquee pitching duel between Matthew Boyd and Max Fried, two left-handers with Cy Young-caliber numbers. With playoff implications and star power on both sides, this matchup is one of the most anticipated games of the weekend.

Starting Pitchers Breakdown

Chicago Cubs – Matthew Boyd (9–3, 2.52 ERA)

• Veteran southpaw with elite command and a deceptive slider
• Averaging 8.7 K/9 and holding opponents to a .212 batting average
• Faces a Yankees lineup that has slugged .538 against him in 36 combined plate appearances

New York Yankees – Max Fried (11–2, 2.27 ERA)

• AL Cy Young contender with a 0.96 WHIP and 72nd percentile xERA
• Undefeated vs Cubs in his career: 6–0, 1.18 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
• Dominates with pinpoint control and elite barrel suppression

Key Players to Watch

Chicago Cubs

• Pete Crow-Armstrong: 25 HR, 7th in MLB RBI rankings
• Kyle Tucker: .284 AVG, 17 HR, 58 RBI, 5-game hit streak
• Cody Bellinger: .280 AVG, 13 HR, 15-game hit streak, batting .349 over last 10 games

New York Yankees

• Aaron Judge: .356 AVG, 34 HR, 78 RBI – 2nd in MLB HR, 1st in RBI
• Cody Bellinger (yes, now a Yankee): 3 HR vs Cubs in Game 1, slugging .625 vs Boyd
• Carlos Rodón: Not pitching today but has dominated Cubs historically (.233 AVG against)

• Yankees have won 7 of last 10 vs Cubs
• Cubs are 2–9 all-time at Yankee Stadium
• Fried has won 6 straight starts vs Chicago