The New York Yankees head to the North Side of Chicago to face the Cubs on Friday, July 31, 2026, with first pitch set for 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field. Will Warren takes the ball for the Yankees against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga in what shapes up as a pitching-focused afternoon matchup. The game airs on YES Network and WFAN 660/101.9 FM for Yankees fans. With the July 31 trade deadline falling on the same day, the context surrounding this game is as charged as any in the regular season.

Yankees vs. Cubs Starting Pitchers: Will Warren and Shota Imanaga

Will Warren gets the nod for New York in a start that carries real weight. Warren has shown the ability to miss bats and generate ground balls, and this outing at Wrigley — a ballpark that can play as a hitter's park with the wind blowing out — will test his command and pitch mix. He will need to be sharp early and keep the Cubs' lineup from getting into extended at-bats.

On the other side, Imanaga has established himself as one of the more difficult left-handed starters in the National League. His deceptive delivery and command of multiple pitches make him a genuine challenge for any lineup. The Yankees will have to be disciplined, work counts, and look for opportunities to do damage against him early in the game before he settles in.

Yankees Starting Lineup and Keys to Watch at Wrigley Field

Manager Aaron Boone has set the Yankees lineup as follows for Friday's game:

• 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

There are a few storylines worth tracking in this lineup. Goldschmidt leading off puts the veteran's on-base skills at the top of the order, where he can set the table if he gets on against Imanaga. Jasson Domínguez hitting cleanup is the marquee name to watch — he has the raw power to punish any mistake Imanaga leaves over the plate. Anthony Volpe continuing to develop at the bottom of the lineup's core spots and Spencer Jones holding down left field gives this lineup a mix of established names and players with something to prove.

Cubs Starting Lineup

Chicago counters with a lineup that features plenty of experience and firepower:

• 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

Alex Bregman at cleanup is the primary threat Warren must navigate. Bregman is a disciplined hitter who can make pitchers pay for any lack of precision. Crow-Armstrong atop the order adds speed and defensive value, and Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson give the Cubs a defensively sound middle of the lineup capable of stringing together quality at-bats.

Prediction

This game comes down to whether Will Warren can match Imanaga's efficiency inning for inning. Imanaga holds a significant edge in experience in high-leverage situations, and Wrigley Field will be a raucous environment for an afternoon Friday game. That said, the Yankees have enough offensive variance — particularly with Domínguez in the four-hole — to steal a run or two and keep this game close. Expect a tight, low-scoring game. The Cubs' pitching edge gives them a slight advantage on paper, but the Yankees are capable of pulling this one out with timely hitting and a strong outing from Warren. Prediction: Cubs 3, Yankees 2.