New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction for Sunday August 2 2026
The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs conclude their three-game interleague series Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, with coverage available on YES Network, Marquee Sports Network and MLB.TV. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. For additional betting analysis across Sunday’s schedule, check out our free MLB picks.
Starting Pitchers
New York is scheduled to start Gerrit Cole, who enters with a 4-5 record, a 3.57 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 73 strikeouts. Chicago will counter with Colin Rea, who owns an 8-7 record, a 4.67 ERA and 54 strikeouts. Cole holds the stronger ERA, WHIP and strikeout total, giving the Yankees a meaningful starting-pitching advantage in the series finale.
New York Looks to Capitalize on Its Pitching Edge
The Yankees entered Saturday with a 62-48 overall record and a 36-25 mark away from home. New York snapped a two-game losing streak by earning a 2-0 victory in Friday’s series opener. The Yankees managed only four hits but received solo home runs from Amed Rosario and Spencer Jones while their pitching staff kept Chicago off the scoreboard.
Friday’s performance illustrated both the strength and potential weakness of New York’s current approach. The Yankees did not consistently create traffic on the bases, but their power allowed them to score enough to support an excellent pitching performance. New York has relied heavily on the home run this season, making its offense dangerous even when it does not string together several hits in the same inning.
Cole gives the Yankees another opportunity to control the game from the mound. His 3.57 ERA is more than a full run lower than Rea’s mark, while his 1.09 WHIP suggests Chicago may have difficulty generating sustained scoring opportunities. New York’s key will be giving Cole early support and avoiding the type of quiet offensive stretches that can leave a superior starting pitcher with little margin for error.
Chicago Seeks an Offensive Response at Wrigley Field
The Cubs entered Saturday at 62-48 after Friday’s shutout loss. Chicago had completed a productive 5-2 road trip before returning home, including three victories in a four-game series against St. Louis. The Cubs entered the weekend playing solid baseball, but they could not convert that momentum into meaningful offense during the opener.
Chicago collected five hits Friday and put only one runner in scoring position. The Cubs received a strong performance from their starter but were unable to support him, finishing without an extra-base hit. That lack of offensive pressure was costly because New York needed only two solo home runs to decide the game.
Rea must keep Chicago close while the lineup attempts to solve Cole. His 8-7 record is respectable, but the 4.67 ERA creates concern against a Yankees offense capable of producing runs quickly through power. Rea cannot afford to issue unnecessary walks or fall behind hitters because New York has already shown that one misplaced pitch can change this series. Chicago’s offense must also do more than it managed Friday, particularly against a starter with a 1.09 WHIP.
New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction
Moneyline Pick:
- New York Yankees
I am backing New York on the moneyline. These teams entered Saturday with identical 62-48 records, but the Yankees hold the more convincing starting-pitching advantage Sunday. Cole’s 3.57 ERA and 1.09 WHIP compare favorably with Rea’s 4.67 ERA, giving New York the stronger foundation over the opening innings.
Chicago’s productive road trip and home-field advantage prevent this from being an easy selection. However, the Cubs were shut out Friday and now face another challenging pitching assignment. I would play New York at a reasonable favorite price but become more cautious if the market moves significantly beyond -150.
Run Line Pick:
- New York Yankees -1.5
The Yankees minus 1.5 runs are my run-line selection. Cole is capable of limiting Chicago’s scoring, while Rea’s 4.67 ERA gives New York an opportunity to produce enough offense to create separation. The Yankees may not need a particularly large offensive performance if Cole pitches to his season-long numbers.
There is some risk because New York produced only four hits Friday and scored both runs on solo homers. Still, the difference between the scheduled starters creates a realistic path to a multi-run victory. If the Yankees establish an early lead, Cole’s ability to limit baserunners should make it difficult for Chicago to respond.
Total Pick:
- Under 8.5
I prefer the under if the total is set at 8.5. Cole is the primary reason for this selection. His 3.57 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 73 strikeouts give him the statistical profile needed to contain a Chicago lineup that was held scoreless in the opener.
Rea’s 4.67 ERA creates more uncertainty on the other side, but New York’s offense produced only four hits Friday and may again depend heavily on isolated power. The Yankees can win this game without pushing the total particularly high. I would play Under 8.5, although I would be more cautious if the market opens at 7.5.
Prediction: New York Yankees 5, Chicago Cubs 2
This preview was written prior to game play on Saturday.