MLB 2-Team Totals Multi-Pack - Friday
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs
- Release Date
- 07/31/2026 11:07 AM
- Event Date
- 07/31/2026 02:20 PM
- Bet Type
- Over / Under
- Pick
-
New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs Over 9 (-114)
(DraftKings)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs will have a great opportunity to hit the OVER Friday after the Cubs have established themselves as one of baseball’s most prolific offenses. Chicago also gets southpaw Shota Imanaga on the hill, and New York will counter with starter Will Warren, who has endured quite a rough month.
Warren comes into Friday with a respectable 7-5 record and 4.41 ERA on the season, but those numbers are misleading thanks to his poor play during July. Warren has surrendered a 7.50 ERA and 6.78 FIP through the month, with his last seven appearances coming with a 5.34 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. Chicago has plenty of right-handed bats to take advantage against Warren if he continues to struggle.
The Cubs are scoring just under five runs per game, which ranks second in all of baseball. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads an order that also includes Michael Busch, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner. Chicago doesn’t have a true No. 1 hitter, which should allow the offense to continue stringing hits together even after Warren escapes trouble.
Imanaga might have the numbers to keep Chicago in check (3.72 ERA with 113 strikeouts), but he hasn’t been challenged in his last two starts. Both of his last four outings have been scoreless affairs, and the Yankees have performed well against lefties this year. New York is 23-16 in those games, led by Ben Rice, who provides left-on-left power.
In addition to Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is expected to play after exiting Thursday’ game due to cramps. He was experiencing muscle cramps during Thursday’ workout but still expects to play. Should Warren start to struggle, the Yankees have a great chance to rally behind Chisholm and Rice against a depleted Cubs pitching staff.
Speaking of Warren’s bullpen, New York pitched an 11-inning game against the White Sox on Thursday night and played just one day before Friday’s matchup at Wrigley Field. If Warren isn’t able to pitch deep into this game, the Yankees may have to lean on some overworked middle relievers against Chicago’ potent offense.
Temperatures are expected to be warm with winds at 13 mph out of the southwest. Chicago has a great chance to eclipse six or seven runs by themselves, even if Imanaga pitches well. The Yankees also have the tools to drive in runs against a left-handed starter and an injury-weakened Cubs bullpen, making the OVER an intriguing play.
Jim's Play: 967. Yankees/Cubs OVER
