New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024
Preview and Prediction
Following two consecutive shutouts, the New York Yankees will strive for a sweep of their three-game series against the host Chicago Cubs on Sunday afternoon.
New York (82-60) secured its 32nd consecutive winning season on Saturday as Clarke Schmidt and Nestor Cortes combined on a four-hit performance in a 2-0 triumph.
The Cubs (72-70) were blanked for the 15th time this season and the third time in four games. They were limited to only one hit in a 3-0 defeat to the Yankees in the series opener on Friday.
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After going 18-8 in August to move into playoff contention, Chicago has little room for error in the race for the third and final National League wild-card spot. The Cubs are 2-4 in September and enter Sunday's game six games behind the New York Mets for that last wild card spot.
"We believe that we have a strong enough team to make it to the playoffs and be in the mix, but we need to step up our game and keep pushing," stated Cubs outfielder Ian Happ.
New York, currently in first place in the American League East, can boast a deep starting rotation after both Schmidt and Luis Gil returned from the injured list this weekend. Cortes was moved to the bullpen on Saturday but expressed a preference to remain in the rotation.
"I will never shy away from a challenge," said Cortes. "I will never leave my teammates hanging. You will always get my best effort, regardless of my personal feelings. That's what I did today. I went out there and proved that I can handle any situation. If that's my role moving forward, I will accept it."
New York manager Aaron Boone expressed his satisfaction with having more healthy options in the rotation. Yankees starting pitchers have a 3.31 ERA in their last 26 starts.
"They are all capable," Boone stated. "We are making progress in becoming a better overall staff. ... We need to continue to show up and execute every single day."
In the series finale, two right-handers will take the mound as Chicago's Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.66 ERA) faces New York's Gerrit Cole (6-3, 3.65).
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Taillon delivered an impressive performance last Monday, allowing only three hits over seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who rallied late for a 5-3 victory.
"He pitched an outstanding game," said Cubs manager Craig Counsell. "He did a great job of executing against both right-handed and left-handed hitters. He induced a lot of ground balls and jam shots, and we made some excellent defensive plays."
The 32-year-old Taillon has a 2.64 ERA in 12 home starts this season, compared to a 4.72 mark in 12 outings away from Wrigley Field. He is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts against New York.
Cole, who turns 34 on Sunday, enters the game on a hot streak. He has allowed one run or less in four of his last five starts. In his most recent outing, Cole surrendered one run and struck out nine over six innings in an 8-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday.
Cole left the game when his right calf cramped before the seventh inning, but he assured that he will be ready to start on Sunday.
He has a career record of 11-3 with a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts against the Cubs.
New York Yankees vs. Chicago Cubs Recap SEP 8TH 2024
Jameson Taillon tossed six strong innings and Isaac Paredes drove in two runs as the Chicago Cubs avoided a three-game sweep against the visiting New York Yankees with a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Taillon (10-8) allowed one run on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Nate Pearson pitched two scoreless innings before Porter Hodge recorded his fourth save.
The Yankees (82-61) brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning after Anthony Rizzo drew a two-out walk. Pinch-runner Duke Ellis stole second base before Anthony Volpe struck out.
New York went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven baserunners.
After being shutout in back-to-back games to begin the series, Chicago (73-70) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Gerrit Cole (6-4).
With two outs and a runner at first, Cody Bellinger reached on a fielder's choice and Dansby Swanson moved to second base on a fielding error by second baseman Gleyber Torres.
After Mike Tauchman walked to load the base, the Cubs capitalized on the error when Paredes delivered a two-run single to center field.
Cole escaped further damage by striking out Pete Crow-Armstrong on four pitches.
Chicago was held to three hits in the victory and had a combined total of eight hits and two runs in the three-game series.
New York scored its lone run in the second inning. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a one-out double, moved to third on Rizzo's single, and scored on Volpe's sacrifice fly.
Pitching on his 34th birthday, Cole yielded two unearned runs on three hits over six innings. He walked one and struck out seven.
Yankees star Aaron Judge went 1-for-3 with a walk in his 12th straight game without a home run, which is his longest streak of the season.
Cubs left fielder Ian Happ made three stellar plays in the field, including a diving catch on Volpe's sacrifice fly in the second inning.