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Read Article Yankees vs. Cubs prediction: Why Cubs are favored to win Friday's MLB matchup [7/31/2026]
Updated: | First published:
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Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer
Get New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs predictions for MLB Friday.
The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees will meet in MLB action at Wrigley Field on Friday, starting at 2:20 PM ET.
The Cubs will start Shota Imanaga (7-8, 3.72 ERA), while the Yankees have opted for Will Warren (7-5, 4.41 ERA).
Dimers' advanced MLB model projects the Cubs as the most likely winner in this Yankees vs. Cubs prediction.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Friday's matchup, including best bets and picks.
Yankees vs. Cubs prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Friday's MLB game between the Yankees and Cubs, forming part of our MLB predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Cubs a 57.0% chance of beating the Yankees.
According to our model, the Yankees (+1.5) have a 59.5% chance of covering the run line, while the over/under total of 8.5 runs has a 55.1% chance of going over,.
Yankees vs. Cubs odds [7/31/2026]
We have researched the best MLB odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Yankees | Cubs |
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | +1.5 (-138) | -1.5 (+130) |
| Moneyline | +150 | -153 |
| Total | o8.5 (-106) | u8.5 (+105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Yankees vs. Cubs picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets in this matchup. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Run Line | Yankees +1.5 | -138 |
| Moneyline | Yankees | +150 |
| Total | Over 8.5 | -106 |
According to our MLB best bets, the top play to make on this game is Over 8.5 total runs.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Yankees vs. Cubs game-day updates and essential details
Friday's MLB action between the Cubs and Yankees at Wrigley Field is scheduled to commence at 2:20 PM ET.
- Who: New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs
- Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
- Time: 2:20 PM ET/11:20AM PT
- Venue: Wrigley Field
Conclusion
We predict the Cubs, with a 57.0% win probability, will likely beat the Yankees in Friday's MLB matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
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