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Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs for a three-game series at Wrigley Field starting on Friday night…
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The Yankees are reeling. They’ve lost three straight series to teams with sub-.500 records, going 3-9 against the Nationals, Cardinals and Rangers.
It’s not bad enough that they’re losing it’s how they are losing. The lineup looks lifeless at times, starters can’t get out of the fourth inning and the bullpen is shaky — at best — on most nights. The Yankees could really use a series win and they’ll have a formidable test in these Cubs.
While Chicago (72-68) is just four games above .500 they’ve won seven of their last 10 games. Although those wins came against the Nationals and Pirates (in two series) they are in the thick of the NL Wild Card race — entering Friday 4.5 games back of the final spot — so they are playing playoff baseball already.
But while the Yankees aren’t playing like the better team right now, they are so perhaps they can right the ship on the north side this weekend.
Can Aaron Judge end his homerless drought?
Judge has gone through his slumps over the course of the regular season so far but this recent stretch is one reason why the Yankees are struggling.
The Captain is in a season-long home run drought, failing to go yard in nine straight games. He’s also hitting just 4-for-27 (.148) over his last seven games including going 2-for-13 with one walk in the three-game series in Arlington.
Judge does have some success at Wrigley in his career. In three games, Judge is 3-for-13 with a home run and will be going up against two young starters (Jordan Wicks and Javier Asaad) this weekend so if he wants to get back on the chase for 63 there is a good chance he does so this weekend.
The return of Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt
The Yankees will Gil and Schmidt rejoin the rotation this weekend, and although it will be temporarily a six-man rotation, this weekend should give the team a better understanding of their options for their starting corps and bullpen moving forward.
Aaron Boone has stated that Nestor Cortes will piggyback off of either Gil or Schmidt’s starts — depending on how effective they are — so their leashes may be short.
The point is that both starters get through their outings without physical issues and can now build up to becoming a part of the rotation. Boone did hint that Gil or Schmidt could be moved to the bullpen after this turn through the order so the team will want to see their effectiveness either way.
Speaking of the bullpen…
How ‘creative’ will Boone get with the bullpen?
Clay Holmes blew his 11th save this week and now the Yankees are going to mix and match their way through games. Boone said that they will get “creative” with who they use after the starter is pulled but how creative will he get?
He didn’t rule out Holmes pitching the ninth if the matchup dictated it but who will he actually use this weekend? Jake Cousins and Tommy Kahnle are potential options to get the final three outs of games but this weekend will show who Boone and the organization trust in those spots, at least in the short term.
Is Austin Wells completely back?
the young backstop was hit in the hand/wrist on Monday and did not start Tuesday or Wednesday’s games with soreness in that area.
Boone said that the team thought of bringing up another catcher but Wells took some swings and he and the organization were pleased with the results so they expect him back in the lineup on Friday.
The Yankees do face the lefty Wicks so there’s a possibility Boone gives Wells another day, but when he’s in there will Wells continue to be effective? Before going 0-for-4 in the series opener against the Rangers, he was 4-for-12 with two home runs, one double and four RBI in the three-game set last weekend against the Cardinals.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Juan Soto.
While Judge has struggled, Soto has done his thing. He’s 9f-ro-28 (.321) over his last seven games and in the Rangers series, he was 5-for-10 with three walks and a home run. He looks locked in and that will continue against Chicago.
Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?
Gerrit Cole.
With Gil and Schmidt returning from the IL, I’m not confident they’ll be allowed to go deep into their games. Cole is the best bet to pitch the best when he takes the mound on Sunday.
Which Cubs player will be a thorn in Yankees’ side?
Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The young left-hander is on fire, slashing .423/.448/.615 over his last seven games. He’s tallied at least three hits in three of those seven contests and continues to play incredible defense.
Going up against three right-handers could make him a hard out this weekend.
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