New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction:
The New York Yankees own the best road record in baseball at 43-29 this season. They look to bounce back from their series loss in Texas when they play the Chicago Cubs in Wrigley Field on Friday.
Luis Gil gets the start for the Yankees. It will be his first start since August 20. His command has been his biggest weak point in a season in which he has posted a 3.39 ERA.
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Gil is registering a 3.88 fielding independent despite 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings due to his 4.8 walks per nine innings. He has completed 5 1/3 innings or fewer in all five of his starts since the All-Star Break.
Behind Gil is a Yankees bullpen in question with Clay Holmes leading the league in blown saves with 11. Earlier in the week, manager Aaron Boone said he would get creative at the closer’s spot, and at his disposal is a bullpen that owns a 4.17 ERA since July 1, which ranks 15th in the league.
At more than 5.3 runs per game, the Yankees lead the league in runs per game on the road and also total home runs. They are ninth in batting average, and with the wind for Friday at Wrigley and blowing in heavily at more than 12 miles per hour, it weakens their strength.
Jordan Wicks gets the start for Chicago. Wicks makes his second start since spending two and a half months on the injured list. In his first start back, he allowed one run in five innings against the Washington Nationals.
For the season, Wicks has a 3.82 ERA, a 3.13 fielding independent, 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings, and has surrendered only 0.5 home runs and 2.7 walks per nine innings.
With the Cubs bullpen owning a 2.95 ERA since July 1, the best mark in MLB, the team will find enough offense on a windy day to open this series with a win.
MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs +125
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