New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

The New York Yankees (80-60) and Chicago Cubs (72-68) meet Friday as they swing into a 3-game series. The 1st pitch from Wrigley Field is slated for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Yankees vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Cubs won 2023 series 2-1

Closer failures, defensive lapses and clutch-hitting misfires have been at the fore of the Yankees going 2-6 across their last 8 games.

The Chicago offense has helped propel the Cubs to a 13-5 mark since Aug. 16. Over those 18 games, Chicago has banged out an .824 OPS.

Yankees at Cubs projected starters

RHP Luis Gil vs. RHP Jordan Wicks

Gil (12-6, 3.39 ERA) is making his 25th start. He has a 1.20 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 10.4 K/9 in 124 2/3 IP.

• Last outing: No-decision, 3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 6 BB, 3 K in 9-5 loss vs. Cleveland Guardians Aug. 20
• Activated from the IL Thursday after missing the last 2 weeks with lower-back discomfort
• Has never faced the Cubs

Wicks (2-2, 3.82 ERA) is tabbed for his 8th start and 9th appearance. He’s registered a 1.36 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 33 IP.

• Last outing: Win, 5 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 K in 14-1 win at Washington Nationals Sunday
• Recalled from Triple-A after pitching there most of August after spending much of June-July on the IL (oblique)

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Yankees at Cubs odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:26 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline: Yankees -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Cubs +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Yankees -1.5 (+115) | Cubs +1.5 (-140)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Yankees at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 5, Yankees 4

Chicago is 10-6 over its last 16 games at Wrigley. The Cubs are 5-1 over their last 6 series openers. New York is 2-6 — with a .669 OPS — over its last 8 road tilts.

Both starting pitchers are questions marks, but no question mark is bolder than the one next to the Yankees bullpen.

The Yanks have played a wonky road-home-road-road schedule in a 4-series string culminating with this trip to the Windy City.

Knocking down the unit size would be sensible, but there is value in the CUBS (+125).

Better value can be found on the ML: PASS.

Six straight Yankees games have cashed on the Over; the Over is 3-1 across Chicago’s last 4.

New York’s bullpen and some unfavorable Yankees actual-vs.-expected ERA numbers tilt this game toward a higher score. Look for batters to be ahead of pitchers as this set gets underway.

TAKE THE OVER 7 (-115).

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