After securing back-to-back shutouts, the New York Yankees will aim to finish off a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in their series finale on Sunday afternoon. The Yankees (82-60) solidified their 32nd consecutive winning season on Saturday with a 2-0 victory, thanks to a combined four-hitter from Clarke Schmidt and Nestor Cortes. This win came on the heels of a dominant 3-0 shutout in the series opener against the Cubs, who were held to just one hit on Friday.
The Cubs (72-70), who have now been shut out 15 times this season, face mounting pressure in their bid for the postseason. They were previously on a strong run, finishing August with an 18-8 record and boosting their playoff hopes. However, the team has struggled in September, posting a 2-4 record and currently trailing the New York Mets by six games for the third and final National League wild-card spot. Cubs outfielder Ian Happ acknowledged the team’s predicament, stating, “We feel like we have a good enough ballclub to be in the playoffs and in the picture, but we’re going to have to play a little bit better and keep pushing here.
On the other hand, the Yankees, leading the American League East, have strengthened their pitching depth with the return of both Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil from the injured list. Despite Cortes’s move to the bullpen on Saturday, he expressed his willingness to remain flexible with his role. “I’m never going to back down from a challenge,” Cortes remarked. “I’m never going to leave my teammates out to dry. You’re always going to get my best effort, no matter if I’m happy or not. That’s what I did today. I came out there and proved I can be put in any situation. From here on out, if that’s my role, I’ll accept it.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone highlighted the benefit of having additional healthy pitchers in the rotation. The team’s starters have posted a 3.31 ERA over their past 26 games. Boone noted, “They’re all capable. We’re moving the needle to be a little bit better as a complete staff. We’ve got to continue to show up and make sure we’re executing every single day.”
In the series finale, the Cubs will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (9-8, 3.66 ERA), who will face off against New York’s Gerrit Cole (6-3, 3.65 ERA). Taillon delivered an impressive performance last Monday, pitching seven scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite the Cubs ultimately losing 5-3 due to a late rally by the Pirates. Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised Taillon’s outing, saying, “He pitched a wonderful game. He did a really good job of executing to both right-handed and left-handed hitters. That got the ball on the ground a lot, with many jam shots, and we made some nice defensive plays.”
Taillon, who is 32, has shown a strong preference for pitching at home, with a 2.64 ERA in 12 starts at Wrigley Field compared to a 4.72 ERA in 12 starts on the road. He has a solid track record against the Yankees, holding a 1-0 record with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts against them.
Gerrit 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. His most recent outing saw him yield just one run and strike out nine in six innings during an 8-4 victory over the Texas Rangers. Although Cole experienced a calf cramp that forced him to exit before the seventh inning, he has assured that he will be ready for his start on Sunday. Cole boasts an impressive 11-3 record with a 2.61 ERA in 16 career starts against the Cubs, further underscoring his capability to deliver in high-stakes situations.
With both teams facing pivotal moments in their respective seasons, Sunday’s game promises to be a critical encounter. The Yankees will look to extend their dominance and complete the sweep, while the Cubs aim to salvage their playoff hopes and regain momentum.