Yankees at Cubs Predictions, Odds and Betting Picks
David Genge Published 02/08/2026
The Yankees enter Sunday's matchup as a -165 moneyline favorite at DraftKings, and the biggest edge starts on the mound. Gerrit Cole owns a 3.57 ERA and faces a Cubs lineup that draws a much tougher assignment than New York does against Colin Rea, who enters with a 4.67 ERA. Strong winds blowing in at Wrigley Field also add another wrinkle to the betting board.
The weather is just as important as the pitching matchup. Winds blowing in from the north/northwest at 17 to 30 mph are expected to suppress home runs, making run production harder to come by despite the posted total of nine.
Yankees vs Cubs Game Preview
New York enters this interleague matchup at 62-49 despite playing without Aaron Judge, who remains on the 60-day injured list with a rib injury. Giancarlo Stanton is also unavailable, forcing the Yankees to manufacture offense without two of their biggest power bats. Gerrit Cole gets the ball after posting a 3.57 ERA with 73 strikeouts this season.
YANKEES vs. CUBS: Official Full Game Highlights (August 1) | 2026 MLB Season
Chicago comes in at 63-48 and turns to Colin Rea, who is 8-7 with a 4.67 ERA and 83 strikeouts. The Cubs have also dealt with injuries to their pitching staff, leading to heavier bullpen usage over recent weeks. Home-field advantage at Wrigley gives them a boost, but the pitching matchup remains their biggest challenge.
The weather should influence how this game unfolds. Early showers are expected before conditions improve, while sustained winds blowing in at up to 30 mph should limit fly ball damage. That puts extra emphasis on pitching execution and bullpen performance during the late innings.
Moneyline Pick
Back the Yankees on the moneyline. Gerrit Cole gives New York the clear advantage in this matchup. His 3.57 ERA is more than a run lower than Colin Rea's 4.67 ERA, and Cole has consistently limited damage even while the Yankees have dealt with injuries throughout the lineup. New York remains capable of generating offense without Aaron Judge because of its overall lineup depth.
The Cubs have been competitive at home, but their pitching injuries have increased pressure on the bullpen. If Cole delivers six or seven quality innings, the Yankees are positioned to control the game from the start.
Pick: Yankees ML (-165 at DraftKings).
Run Line Pick
Take the Yankees -1.5. The Yankees have the stronger starting pitcher and should create enough separation against Rea if they capitalize on scoring opportunities early. The wind should reduce home runs for both clubs, but New York still owns the more reliable pitching combination entering the afternoon.
Pick: Yankees -1.5 (+115 at DraftKings).
Best Player Prop
- Gerrit Cole Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-110 at DraftKings). Cole has recorded 73 strikeouts while carrying a 3.57 ERA, and the windy conditions should encourage hitters to stay aggressive knowing the ball is unlikely to carry. That combination gives Cole a strong opportunity to pile up swings and misses.
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Game Total Pick
Take Under 9. The biggest factor is the weather. With winds blowing in at 17-30 mph from the north/northwest, Wrigley Field is expected to play more pitcher-friendly, limiting hard-hit fly balls and potential home runs. Cole has a 3.57 ERA, while even Rea benefits from conditions that favor pitchers rather than hitters.
New York is also missing Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, removing two of its biggest power threats. With cooler temperatures, difficult hitting conditions, and one frontline starter on the mound, this profiles as a lower-scoring contest than the posted number suggests.
Pick: Under 9 (-105 at DraftKings).
Best Trades for Yankees vs Cubs
Prediction markets offer another way to express an opinion on this matchup using crowd-priced probabilities rather than sportsbook odds. Current Polymarket pricing shows a fairly competitive game despite New York entering as the stronger favorite in traditional markets.
- Game Winner, Yankees: YES at 55¢ on Polymarket. Cole gives New York the better starting pitching edge, and a 55% implied probability still leaves room for value if he pitches deep into the game.
- Yankees -1.5 Runs: YES at 40¢ on Polymarket. The low share price reflects the difficulty of winning by multiple runs, but the pitching matchup favors New York enough to justify the position.
- Extra Innings: NO at 57¢ on Polymarket. Cole's ability to suppress scoring and New York's edge on the mound make a regulation decision more likely than a game extending into extras.
How to Watch Yankees vs Cubs and Game Info
- Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026
- First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET
- TV: YES Network, Marquee Sports Network
- Yankees starting pitcher: Gerrit Cole (4-5, 3.57 ERA).
- Cubs starting pitcher: Colin Rea (8-7, 4.67 ERA).
- Weather forecast: 73°F to 79°F, early showers with clearing skies, wind blowing in from the north/northwest at 17 to 30 mph.
Final Takeaways
The Yankees have the clearest edge because Gerrit Cole gives them the better starting pitcher, even with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton unavailable. The weather points toward fewer home runs, making the Under an attractive play alongside the Yankees moneyline. If Cole performs to his season numbers, New York should be in position to win and cover the run line.
Check the latest odds and line movement for Yankees vs Cubs at betting.net before placing your bets. All odds as of 10:40 p.m. ET on August 1. Odds sourced from DraftKings.