Tradition meets tradition when the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field begin a three-game inter-league series with the visiting New York Yankees beginning with Friday's opener (2:20 pm ET). This is the first visit to Wrigley Field for the Yankees since 2003 and first for former Cubs' catcher and current Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
Starting pitchers for Friday are right-hander Freddy Garcia (5-5, 3.60 ERA) for the Yankees while the Cubs counter with a left-hander Doug Davis (0-5, 5.90 ERA).
Oddsmakers have not settled on series prices between the Yankees and Cubs, but for Friday's opener the Yankees are MLB Odds favorites giving -165 on the moneyline with a 9 1/2-run total. Any pre-game pitching change will nullify these particular set of odds.
Davis is looking for his first win after going 0-5 in six starts for Chicago. He pitched well enough to win in his last outing a week ago today when he gave up six hits and only two earned runs over five frames. Garcia was in good form against Cleveland on Sunday and got a win, giving up seven hits over 6 2/3 innings but only gave up one run. In the game Garcia struck out six and walked two.
The Yankees were 3-2 winners over AL West leaders Texas Rangers Thursday afternoon at Yankees Stadium. Bettors backing New York came away winners getting +103 underdog odds while the five runs (5) scored was great news for totals players backing the under play.
The Cubs gained a little ground on the first place Milwaukee Brewers getting a 12-7 win at Wrigley Field on Thursday. Chicago backers cashed as +118 moneyline underdogs while the 19 runs scored took the over way over the posted nine.
Early betting trends for today's game, shows 89% of MLB Odds wagering played on the Yankees while 88% expect the game total to go OVER the posted 9 1/2.
