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Two teams separated by a single game in the standings meet at Wrigley Field with wild card positioning on the line. The Cubs (63-48) hold the top NL Wild Card spot while the Yankees (62-49) are firmly embedded in the AL wild card picture, and both clubs have gone 6-4 over their last ten games — mirror images of each other in form, if not in how they’ve gotten there.

The contrast in offensive approach is striking. Chicago is hitting .273 over that ten-game stretch, outscoring opponents by 27 runs. New York is batting just .191 in the same span, yet has outpaced its pitching staff’s brilliance — a 2.03 ERA — to stay afloat. Pete Crow-Armstrong has been the engine driving the Cubs offense, with 24 home runs, 64 RBI, and 26 stolen bases making him one of the most complete players in the National League. For the Yankees, Ben Rice has been a revelation, slugging 31 home runs with 73 RBI, numbers that demand attention regardless of the opponent.

Will Warren takes the ball for New York carrying an 8-win season and 109 strikeouts. The Cubs counter with a rotation that has depth questions but real weapons. This is a game where pitching and timely hitting will determine everything.

New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs Game Information

Game Date: August 02, 2026
Game Time: 02:20 PM ET
TV Channel: Marquee Sports Network and YES Network
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Game Preview

The Cubs sit 6.5 games back in the NL Central but hold the No. 1 NL Wild Card position — a spot they cannot take for granted with the trade deadline pressure and a packed field behind them. The Yankees are 3.5 games back in the AL East, with their wild card standing equally important to protect. Both clubs have gone 6-4 over their last ten games, meaning neither has separated itself from the pack. A win here carries weight in two separate playoff races, which gives this interleague matchup an urgency that goes well beyond the box score.

Chicago Cubs Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 63-48
Home Record: 31-23
Away Record: 32-25
Division Record: 18-15
Streak: 1 Win streak
Winning Percentage: .568

New York Yankees Team Statistics and Rankings

Win-Loss Record: 62-49
Home Record: 26-23
Away Record: 36-26
Division Record: 17-11
Streak: 1 Loss streak
Winning Percentage: .559

Stat Leaders

Chicago Cubs (63-48, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Justin Dean, 0.375
RBI Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 64 RBI
Home Run Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 24 HR
Runs Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 73 Runs
Hits Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 118 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Pete Crow-Armstrong, 26 SB
ERA Leader: Ben Brown, 1.85 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Shota Imanaga, 119 K
Wins Leader: Colin Rea, 8 W
Saves Leader: Jacob Webb, 5 SV

New York Yankees (62-49, #2 in division)

Batting Average Leader: Alí Sánchez, 0.273
RBI Leader: Ben Rice, 73 RBI
Home Run Leader: Ben Rice, 31 HR
Runs Leader: Ben Rice, 70 Runs
Hits Leader: Ben Rice, 106 Hits
Stolen Bases Leader: Jazz Chisholm Jr., 30 SB
ERA Leader: Angel Chivilli, 0.57 ERA
Strikeout Leader: Cam Schlittler, 165 K
Wins Leader: Cam Schlittler, 10 W
Saves Leader: David Bednar, 23 SV

What to Watch For

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the player Cubs fans watch every at-bat. His 24 home runs, 26 stolen bases, 73 runs scored, and 64 RBI represent the kind of all-around production that changes games in multiple ways — he can beat you with power, speed, or simply by getting on base and creating chaos. With Edward Cabrera on the injured list with a hamstring issue and Ben Brown sidelined by a neck injury, the Cubs’ rotation has been tested, and the offense has had to carry more weight. Crow-Armstrong has answered.

On the Yankees side, the injury picture is significant. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Carlos Rodón are all on the injured list, which has forced others into larger roles. Ben Rice has stepped into that void emphatically — 31 home runs and 73 RBI from a player who wasn’t a household name entering the season. José Caballero adds a different dimension with 27 stolen bases, giving New York a speed threat to complement Rice’s power.

Will Warren’s 8 wins and 109 strikeouts make him a reliable anchor for a Yankees rotation navigating significant absences. His performance at Wrigley will go a long way toward determining whether New York can protect its wild card standing.

Chicago Cubs Injury Report

Cade Horton – Forearm (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Cade Horton to the 60-day injured list due right forearm discomfort.
Hunter Harvey – Tricep (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred RHP Hunter Harvey to the 60-day injured list with right triceps inflammation.
Riley Martin – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transferred LHP Riley Martin from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to left elbow flexor strain.
Daniel Palencia – Elbow (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Edward Cabrera – Hamstring (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Edward Cabrera on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.
Matt Shaw – Hand (D10) – The Chicago Cubs placed OF Matt Shaw on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left hand.
Tyler Austin – Knee (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed INF Tyler Austin on the 60-day injured list due to a right knee injury.
Justin Steele – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Justin Steele on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow injury.
Ethan Roberts – Forearm (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ethan Roberts on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm inflammation.
Phil Maton – Knee (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Phil Maton on the 15-day injured list.
Gavin Hollowell – Shoulder (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.
Porter Hodge – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs transaferred RHP Porter Hodge to the 60-day injured list with a right elbow strain.
Hoby Milner – Appendicitis (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed LHP Hoby Milner on the 15-day injured list due to Appendicitis.
Ben Brown – Neck (D15) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Ben Brown on the 15-day injured list with a neck strain.
Shelby Miller – Elbow (D60) – The Chicago Cubs placed RHP Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list due to a right elbow UCL injury.

New York Yankees Injury Report

Aaron Judge – Rib (D60) – The New York Yankees transferred OF Aaron Judge to the 60-day injured list with a stress fracture of his right rib.
Clarke Schmidt – Elbow (D60) – The New York Yankees placed RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 60-day injured list as he continues his rehab from internal brace surgery.
Giancarlo Stanton – Leg (D10) – The New York Yankees placed DH Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list.
Carlos Rodón – Elbow (D15) – The New York Yankees placed LHP Carlos Rodón on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation.
Cody Bellinger – Leg (D10) – The New York Yankees placed OF Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Chicago Cubs Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 02, 2026 vs New York Yankees
August 03, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 04, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 05, 2026 vs Los Angeles Dodgers
August 06, 2026 vs Toronto Blue Jays
August 07, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 08, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 09, 2026 at Kansas City Royals
August 11, 2026 at Washington Nationals
August 12, 2026 at Washington Nationals

New York Yankees Upcoming 2026 Schedule

August 02, 2026 at Chicago Cubs
August 03, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 04, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 05, 2026 vs St. Louis Cardinals
August 07, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 08, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 09, 2026 vs Atlanta Braves
August 11, 2026 vs Seattle Mariners
August 12, 2026 vs Seattle Mariners
August 13, 2026 vs Seattle Mariners

Our game previews are produced programmatically using real-time data via Sportradar and AI writing tools. Articles are regularly reviewed for accuracy before publication.