The Chicago Cubs head into Saturday’s matinee at Yankee Stadium hoping to bounce back and level their series against the New York Yankees. It’s been a rough historical road for the Cubs in the Bronx, and this matchup features a compelling lefty vs. lefty duel on the mound.
Saturday, July 12 – 12:05 p.m. CT – Yankee Stadium
Recent History in New York Not on Cubs’ Side
Since the Cubs first played a regular season game against the Yankees in New York back in 2005, the results haven’t been favorable. The Cubs are just 2-9 all-time in the Bronx, a stark contrast to their more balanced record across town. Against the Mets in New York over the same period, Chicago is 34-34, including a 29-25 mark at Citi Field since it opened in 2009.
A Memorable Moment on This Day
Ten years ago today, on July 12, 2015, Jake Arrieta delivered a dominant performance against the White Sox at Wrigley Field. He went the distance, allowing only three hits and striking out nine in a 3-1 Cubs victory over their crosstown rivals.
Pete Crow-Armstrong: Feast or Famine July
It’s been an unpredictable month at the plate for Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. In five of the team’s 10 games this July, he’s been on a tear, batting .619/.667/1.333 with 13 hits, four home runs, and eight runs scored. In the other five games? He’s hitless in 19 at-bats with seven strikeouts. Despite the inconsistency, his overall July numbers still sit at a strong .325/.372/.700.
Offensive Firepower Still Present
Even after being shut out on Friday, the Cubs maintain one of the most potent offenses in Major League Baseball. They rank second in both total runs (503) and runs per game (5.35). At this pace, Chicago would finish the regular season with 867 runs—potentially their highest total since the 1930 season.
Pitching Matchup: Matthew Boyd vs. Max Fried
Saturday’s game features two high-performing left-handed pitchers.
Matthew Boyd, now amid a career-best season, earned his first All-Star selection this year. After a shaky outing on May 23 against the Reds, he has turned things around dramatically. Over his last eight starts, Boyd has posted a 1.49 ERA and a 0.786 WHIP, allowing just three home runs over 48⅓ innings. Notably, his last appearance against the Yankees came in the 2024 ALCS, where he gave up one run on two hits over five innings.
On the other side, Max Fried continues to put together a Cy Young-worthy campaign. The left-hander is heading to his third All-Star Game and has a dominant track record against the Cubs. In six career starts versus Chicago, Fried owns a sparkling 1.18 ERA and 0.658 WHIP, striking out 38 batters in 38 innings while issuing just eight walks. His most recent outing against the Cubs came on May 22 of this year at Wrigley Field, where he tossed a complete game with three hits, two runs, and nine strikeouts.
However, Fried has shown some vulnerability in his last two starts, giving up seven earned runs in 11 combined innings.
What to Watch For
If Boyd and Fried both bring their A-game, this could turn into a tense pitcher’s duel for six or seven innings. With the Cubs having struggled against left-handed starters throughout the season, their best chance might come later in the game if they can break through against the Yankees bullpen.
