The Chicago Cubs welcome the New York Yankees to Wrigley Field on Friday, July 31, 2026, for a 2:20 PM ET first pitch that has all the makings of a must-watch summer afternoon. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago against New York's Will Warren, with both clubs sending out competitive lineups in a game that carries real regular-season weight. This is the kind of cross-league matchup that draws national attention, and the Cubs will need a strong performance from Imanaga to control the outcome in front of the home crowd on the North Side.

Probable Pitchers: Shota Imanaga vs. Will Warren

Imanaga is Chicago's assignment for this one, and his ability to mix his elite command with a deep pitch arsenal makes him a genuine weapon in any home start. The left-hander has been one of the most important arms in the Cubs rotation, and a strong outing here would be a significant statement against a Yankees lineup that can punish mistakes. Warren gets the call for New York and will be tested immediately by a Cubs order built for contact and situational hitting.

Chicago Cubs Starting Lineup

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Pedro Ramírez, 3B
• Michael Busch, 1B
• Alex Bregman, DH
• Ian Happ, LF
• Nico Hoerner, 2B
• Michael Conforto, RF
• Dansby Swanson, SS
• Miguel Amaya, C

New York Yankees Starting Lineup

• Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
• Ben Rice, DH
• Amed Rosario, 3B
• Jasson Domínguez, RF
• Trent Grisham, CF
• Anthony Volpe, SS
• Spencer Jones, LF
• Ali Sánchez, C
• José Caballero, 2B

Keys to Watch at Wrigley Field

The Cubs lineup is built around getting Pete Crow-Armstrong on base at the top and letting the middle of the order — Busch, Bregman, and Happ — do damage. Bregman slotted fourth as the designated hitter is a statement about what Chicago expects from him in high-leverage moments. If Warren struggles with command early, this lineup has the patience and pop to make him pay in a hurry.

On the other side, Jasson Domínguez batting cleanup for New York is a name to watch at the plate. The young outfielder has the tools to do real damage against left-handed pitching, and Imanaga will need to keep him off the bases. Anthony Volpe at shortstop and Paul Goldschmidt leading off give the Yankees a professional, contact-oriented top of their order that won't simply hand Imanaga an easy day.

Defensively, Crow-Armstrong in center and Swanson at short give the Cubs a strong up-the-middle foundation that could matter on balls in play, especially if the wind at Clark and Addison is blowing in off the lake — a factor that can suppress offense and reward elite pitching. Miguel Amaya behind the plate will be instrumental in how Imanaga sequences his pitches against an unfamiliar American League lineup.

Prediction

Give the edge to the Cubs at home. Wrigley Field on a Friday afternoon with Imanaga on the mound is a favorable equation for Chicago. The Cubs lineup has enough depth to scratch out runs against Warren, and Imanaga's ability to control the tempo of a game makes New York's lineup look more manageable than it might otherwise be. Cubs win, 4–2.

Catch the game on Marquee Sports Network locally or YES Network for Yankees viewers. Radio coverage is available on 104.3 The Score.