The New York Yankees head to Wrigley Field on Sunday, August 2, 2026, for a 2:20 PM ET afternoon tilt against the Chicago Cubs. Gerrit Cole gets the ball for New York opposite Cubs right-hander Colin Rea. This is a road test against a Cubs lineup that has some real teeth, and with Cole on the hill, the Yankees have their best chance to steal one in one of baseball's most iconic ballparks. Catch the action on YES Network or WFAN 660/101.9 FM.

Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole vs. Colin Rea

Whenever Gerrit Cole takes the mound, the Yankees are in the game. He remains the anchor of this rotation, the kind of starter who commands respect in any ballpark, and Wrigley Field on a summer Sunday afternoon is exactly the stage where Cole tends to be at his best. The Cubs counter with Colin Rea, a crafty veteran who won't overpower hitters but can keep a lineup off balance with pitch selection and location. The Yankees' lineup will need to make Rea work early and get into that Cubs bullpen.

Yankees Starting Lineup at Wrigley Field

• Trent Grisham, CF
• Ben Rice, 1B
• Amed Rosario, DH
• Spencer Jones, LF
• Jasson Domínguez, RF
• Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
• Ryan McMahon, 3B
• José Caballero, SS
• Austin Wells, C

Cubs Starting Lineup

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

Keys to Watch for the Yankees

Cole's Command of the Strike Zone

Cole's effectiveness hinges on his ability to establish both sides of the plate early. If he is locating his fastball and mixing in his breaking ball with conviction, this Cubs lineup is manageable. If he struggles with command and falls behind in counts, a dangerous top of the order featuring Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki will make him pay. Watch how Cole handles Bregman — a veteran hitter who knows the strike zone cold.

Production from the Middle of the Yankee Order

Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez slot in at four and five, giving this lineup a pair of young, powerful bats capable of doing damage against a pitcher like Rea. Both players are worth watching closely. If they can drive in runs when Grisham, Rice, or Rosario gets on base, the Yankees have the firepower to put this one away early.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Setting the Tone

Hitting sixth, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the kind of disruptive presence who can change a game with his legs and his bat in the same at-bat. Against a veteran pitcher who works at his own pace, Chisholm's energy and aggression on the bases can force mistakes and create opportunities that a more passive lineup simply would not generate.

Prediction

Cole pitching in an afternoon game at Wrigley is a compelling proposition. The Yankees should get enough offense to support him, with Jones and Domínguez providing power potential and Chisholm keeping the defense honest. Rea is a capable arm, but this Yankees lineup has enough length to grind through a start. Yankees win, 4-2.