Cubs vs. Yankees Prediction, Odds & Best Bets Tonight: Can Chicago Light Up Rodon?

Two of baseball's storied franchises square off tonight as the New York Yankees host the Chicago Cubs.
Cubs vs. Yankees Prediction, Odds & Best Bets Tonight: Friday, July 11
Pictured: Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (4) - a potential key piece in our Cubs vs. Yankees prediction - hits a solo home run. Photo by Jordan Johnson via Imagn Images.

Two of the top World Series odds contenders collide tonight to kick off a three-game set, and we're diving in with our Cubs vs. Yankees prediction.

Chicago enters boasting the third-best record MLB-wide (55-38), though the Cubs are still in a tight NL Central battle while holding a two-game lead in the division. Meanwhile, New York (52-41 and fourth in the AL) is coming off a recent sweep of the Seattle Mariners, thanks to Aaron Judge's extra-innings heroics.

The Bronx Bombers are significant favorites at our best MLB betting sites. We make our Cubs vs. Yankees best bets for tonight, while getting odds as short as -190, in part because Chicago is rolling with a bullpen game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium (YES Network).

  • Cubs vs. Yankees prediction: Cubs +1.5 (-125 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Best Cubs vs. Yankees player props: Carlos Rodon Over 4.5 hits allowed (-120 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚾ Cubs vs. Yankees prediction & odds

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💰 Cubs vs. Yankees prediction & best bet

✅ Cubs vs. Yankees prediction: Cubs +1.5 (-125 via bet365)

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The Cubs' bullpen has been reliably effective all season, which is a key factor in our Cubs vs. Yankees prediction. Their relievers collectively boast the fourth-best bullpen ERA in MLB, and they've also consistently avoided a late-game backbreaking hit while tied for the fifth-fewest home runs allowed among bullpens.

That's a significant reason why we can trust the Cubs to keep this game close, and perhaps even prevail while trotting out Chris Flexen as their starter. It's difficult to make the leap and take the Cubs for the upset on the moneyline due to Flexen's spotty history, with numerous mediocre runs as a starter contributing to his career 4.75 ERA.

However, we're living in the here and the now, and especially while picking one game on one night. Flexen has been significantly better out of the bullpen this season while sporting a sparkling 0.83 ERA. The 31-year-old is limiting loud contact, with a hard-hit rate that sits in the 80th percentile.

Flexen could pitch three-plus innings if he's efficient, which is what the veteran did during his previous outing while lasting 3 2/3 innings on 64 pitches and giving up one run. He even tossed four scoreless innings against the Houston Astros three outings ago.

Most of the best sports betting sites are roughly in line on the pricing for our Cubs vs. Yankees best bet. But stay away from BetMGM and its -133.

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💰 Best Cubs vs. Yankees player props

✅ Best Cubs vs. Yankees player prop: Carlos Rodon Over 4.5 hits allowed (-120 via FanDuel)

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Rodon remains a strikeout factory. He's faltered a little in that regard lately while recording five strikeouts or fewer in four of his last five outings. Still, the wider view of his season shows a hurler whose K/9 of 10.2 rests 10th MLB-wide.

Yet the Cubs don't whiff often while striking out the fifth-fewest times. So it's hard to approach either side of Rodon's strikeout total of 5.5 from the best sports betting apps with confidence. Instead, let's target his hits allowed total for one of our best Cubs vs. Yankees player props, as Rodon is facing MLB's second-best run-producing offense that's been particularly threatening against lefties.

The Cubs have recorded the six-best OPS against southpaws (.756) while hitting the second-most homers (39). They also sit ninth in hits and on-base percentage when opposing a lefty, and there are four Cubs regulars whose expected slugging sits at .535 or above, and far beyond in the case of Michael Busch (.575).

Be sure to make this wager at DraftKings, which offers a DraftKings promo code. The rest of the best sportsbooks offering this market are sitting at -133 or below, with BetMGM down at -140.

🤔 Cubs vs. Yankees betting insights

Tonight's heavyweight clash in the Bronx is the second-most-bet game across Major League Baseball at BetMGM, trailing only Guardians vs. White Sox.

The underdogs are one of the most popular picks today, with the Cubs (+155) trailing only the Guardians in terms of ticket percentage. Over 9 is the most wagered total, and the Cubs vs. Yankees best bet.

The most bet player props for the day also come from this game:

  • Aaron Judge Over 0.5 Home runs (+180)
  • Seiya Suzuki Over 0.5 Home runs (+400)

💡 More MLB predictions today

❓MLB betting FAQs

How do betting odds work?

Betting odds represent the probability of a specific outcome and determine how much money you can win on a bet. There are three main formats: American odds, Decimal odds, and Fractional odds. In the U.S., American odds are most common. 

What is the run line in baseball?

The run line in baseball is a form of point spread betting unique to MLB. It typically sets a standard spread of 1.5 runs, meaning the favored team must win by at least two runs to cover the run line, while the underdog can lose by one run or win outright to cover.

What does moneyline mean in betting?

The moneyline in betting refers to a wager on which team or player will win the game outright, with no point spread involved. It’s the most straightforward type of sports bet—just pick the winner.

💵 Best MLB betting sites

Want to bet on Cubs vs. Yankees? Check out the best MLB betting sites and best sportsbook promos for today's MLB games:

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