Free MLB Picks Today: New York Yankees vs Chicago Cubs 7/7/23

Carlos Rodon is expected to make his first start of the season as the New York Yankees (48-40) take on the Chicago Cubs (40-46) at Yankee Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series. The Cubs are in the midst of a seven-game road trip.

They split their last series against the Brewers, dropping the finale 6-5 on Thursday at American Family Field. Cody Bellinger was 4 for 4 with a home run and a double.

He scored two runs and had three RBIs, extending his hit streak to 12 games. The Yankees are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They split their last series against the Orioles, dropping the finale 14-1 on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

Oswaldo Cabrera went 1 for 1 with a double and one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Yankees won all three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Jameson Taillon (2-6, 7.07 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The righty allowed six runs (four earned) over five innings in his last start, an 8-6 road defeat against the Guardians on Sunday. He gave up six hits while striking out six in the no-decision.

For New York, southpaw Rodon is on the mound, his season debut. He was 14-8 over 31 starts for the Giants last season with an ERA of 2.98.

He struck out 237 and walked 52 over 178.0 innings. Rodon made two appearances against the Cubs in 2022, both starts, striking out 21 and walking one over 12.1 innings (1-1, 1.46).

AT THE PLATE

The Chicago offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .248/.326/.399. Ian Happ leads the team in OPS at .779. The center fielder is slashing .253/.382/.397 with seven home runs, 39 RBIs, and 32 runs over 84 games.

Against southpaws like Rodon this season, the Cubs have a .763 OPS. Bellinger is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.019 OPS in 66 at-bats.

New York is slashing .231/.301/.410 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Anthony Rizzo leads the team with a .766 OPS. The first baseman has 11 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 41 runs scored with a slash line of .261/.355/.411.

The Yanks have a .700 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .741 OPS over 260 at-bats, Gleyber Torres has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 19-24 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. New York has gone 27-21 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. New York is unbeaten in five games between the teams at Yankee Stadium with an average scoreline of 6.6-1.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Cubs are third in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Reds. The Yankees are third in the AL East, eight games behind the Rays.