The New York Yankees (48-40) open a 3-game series with the Chicago Cubs (40-46) at Yankee Stadium Friday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting of 2023; the Yankees swept the 2022 series 3-0
The Cubs lost 6-5 at the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday but still earned a split of the 4-game series. Chicago is 3-7 over its last 10 games, 19-24 on the road this season, and trails the Cincinnati Reds by 8 games in the NL Central.
The Yankees suffered a 2nd straight loss when they were destroyed 14-1 at home by the Baltimore Orioles Thursday in the finale of a 4-game series. New York won Monday and Tuesday before dropping the final 2 games of that series and is 5-5 in its last 10 games, sitting 3rd in the AL East, 8 games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
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Cubs at Yankees projected starters
RHP Jameson Taillon vs. LHP Carlos Rodon
Taillon (2-6, 6.93 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.52 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 through 63 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K in an 8-6 home loss vs. the Cleveland Guardians Sunday
- The Cubs are just 2-12 in his starts this season
Rodon makes his 1st start of the 2023 season. He went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 12.0 K/9 through 178 IP in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants.
- Made his second career All-Star appearance last season, ending the year with an MLB-best 12.0 K/9 and 2.25 FIP
- Making his season debut after being shut down during spring training due to a forearm issue and then developing back problems in his initial attempt to return
Cubs at Yankees odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:07 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Yankees -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs +1.5 (-135) | Yankees -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
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Cubs at Yankees picks and predictions
Prediction
Yankees 6, Cubs 2
Moneyline
PASS.
The value isn’t there to take the Yankees (-175), but they’ve been strong at home despite having been obliterated by the Orioles Thursday. However, the Cubs (+145) have struggled lately and aren’t worth a look on the road.
Run line/Against the spread
The Yankees will have the superior pitcher on the mound although he may be on a short leash, but the Cubs’ Taillon has given up at least 4 earned runs in 3 straight starts. Given the difference in pitchers and the fact that New York’s last 6 wins have all been by at least 2 runs, BET YANKEES -1.5 (+110).
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Over/Under
The Yankees are just 19-27-2 O/U at home this season while Chicago is 20-21 O/U on the road. Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in batting average and OPS as well.
New York has only plated 4 total runs in its last 2 games and is coming off a 1-run performance, so it may not be able to take advantage of the struggling Taillon.
Back the UNDER 8.5 (+100).
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