The New York Yankees head to Wrigley Field on Saturday, August 1 to face the Chicago Cubs in a 7:15 PM ET first pitch on FOX. Max Fried gets the ball for New York against Cubs right-hander David Peterson, who moved from the Mets organization to Chicago. It is a marquee road matchup for the Yankees — the kind of nationally televised Saturday night game that separates contending clubs from the rest. Catch it on WFAN 660/101.9 FM if you are driving around the five boroughs.

Yankees Starter: Max Fried on the Road at Wrigley

Fried is the assignment that matters most heading into this one. The left-hander is the Yankees' most accomplished rotation arm, and Wrigley Field presents its own particular challenge — the ivy, the sight lines, the crowd that lives and dies on every pitch. A pitcher who controls the running game and generates weak contact will be tested in a ballpark where the elements can shift a game in a hurry. Fried's ability to work ahead in counts and miss bats is exactly what the Yankees need against a Cubs lineup that can grind through at-bats.

Cubs Starter: David Peterson for Chicago

Peterson takes the hill for the Cubs. The left-hander spent significant time in the Mets system before landing in Chicago. He is a strike-thrower who keeps the ball in the yard and can work deep into games when his command is sharp. The Yankees will need to be patient against him and look to get into the Cubs bullpen. Peterson against a New York lineup is a genuine test — this is not a name the Yankees should overlook.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

Chicago's lineup is constructed around several names that Yankees fans will recognize. A few key matchups to track:

• Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF, leadoff): One of the most dynamic young players in the National League, Crow-Armstrong sets the table and creates problems on the bases. Fried must keep him off.
• Alex Bregman (3B, No. 3): The former Astros cornerstone hits third and provides the Cubs with professional at-bats and real power threat. Bregman is exactly the kind of hitter who punishes mistakes.
• Seiya Suzuki (RF, No. 2): Hits second and offers both contact ability and run-producing upside. His plate discipline makes him a difficult out.
• Nico Hoerner (2B, No. 6): A tough out who puts the ball in play and keeps rallies alive deeper in the order.

Keys to the Game for New York

• Fried needs to neutralize Crow-Armstrong at the top of the order and limit Bregman's damage with runners on base.
• The Yankees lineup, though not posted for this game, must work Peterson for pitch count early and force the Cubs to lean on their bullpen by the sixth inning.
• Defense and base-running execution on the road matter. Wrigley's dimensions and the August night atmosphere can create chaos — clean play wins road games.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for New York if Fried is sharp. He is the kind of starter who elevates in big-stage matchups, and a Saturday night game at Wrigley on national television qualifies. The Cubs lineup is legitimate — Bregman, Suzuki, and Crow-Armstrong will make Fried work — but if he limits damage through six innings, the Yankees bullpen can close it out. Yankees 4, Cubs 2.