Yankees vs Cubs Expert Picks & Predictions on July 31

• The Yankees and Cubs open up a new series today in Chicago
• Shota Imanaga brings elite command against a heavily battered New York lineup
• Check out the Yankees vs Cubs expert picks and predictions on July 31, below

The Chicago Cubs (61-47) welcome the New York Yankees (61-47) to Wrigley Field today, to open an intriguing interleague series. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM EST, with broadcast coverage available on MARQ and YES.

Boasting identical records, Chicago opens as the home favorite in the MLB odds, while New York steps in as a dangerous road underdog. Below, I’ll breakdown my favorite Yankees vs Cubs expert picks and predictions on July 31.

Yankees vs Cubs Expert Picks and Predictions

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Kalshi

Chicago Cubs ML

59%

Under 9.5 Runs

55%

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I am backing the Chicago moneyline (59 cents at Kalshi) as my primary game prediction. Despite identical 61-47 records, the Cubs feature a markedly superior offense, plating 564 runs with a .249 team batting average and a .340 on-base percentage. Conversely, the Yankees have struggled to keep pace, tallying just 506 runs with a .233 average.

On the mound, Shota Imanaga brings a reliable 3.72 ERA and an impressive 1.10 WHIP into the matchup. He holds a clear statistical advantage over Will Warren, who carries a 4.44 ERA and a ballooned 1.40 WHIP.

For the total, I’m predicting a lower-scoring affair—leaning toward Under 9.5 runs (55 cents at Kalshi). Despite Chicago’s offensive edge, New York boasts an elite 2.98 bullpen ERA that can suppress late-game rallies. Situational trends support this angle, as the Under has hit in 60.0% of New York’s last 10 matchups. Don’t forget to claim the Kalshi referral code to score a bonus to bet on MLB.

When diving into the prop market, highly actionable MLB player props trends have emerged. Anthony Volpe has exceeded 0.5 hits in 83.0% of his recent games (five of his last six). I recommend locking in Anthony Volpe Over 0.5 Hits (-175 at Caesars).

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Shota Imanaga vs Will Warren Stats

Chicago holds a distinct advantage in season-long reliability. Imanaga enters the contest with a 7-8 record, and his ability to command the strike zone has suppressed opposing hitters to a .230 average.

Conversely, Warren brings a 7-5 record to the mound but features underlying metrics that suggest vulnerability. His 4.44 ERA and 1.40 WHIP indicate significant traffic on the basepaths. While Warren generates solid swing-and-miss stuff (8.97 K/9), his command remains an ongoing issue with a 4.12 BB/9 over his last 10 starts.

Regarding MLB batter vs pitcher stats, both starters have limited to no career history against their respective opposing lineups, making past head-to-head encounters an unreliable metric today.

Yankees vs Cubs Stats

Breaking down the situational statistics of these World Series odds contenders, Chicago holds a massive mismatch in on-base production and overall efficiency at Wrigley Field. Ranking an elite third in home OPS (.783) and fourth in runs per game (5.19), the lineup leans heavily on consistent contact.

The Yankees take a noticeable step backward when traveling. New York ranks 22nd in road batting average (.232) and 20th in road OPS (.701). However, they still generate a blistering 88.9 mph average exit velocity on the road, translating to 1.30 home runs per game.

Yankees vs Cubs Odds

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When evaluating the MLB public betting splits, the moneyline market shows a heavy consensus backing the home team. Currently, 60.9% of the betting tickets are on Chicago to win outright. More importantly, a massive 77.5% of the total financial stake is backing the home side.

Action on the game total presents a divided market. The slight majority of the public took the Under, with 53.7% of the tickets. However, the larger financial handle leans toward the Over, commanding 58.6% of the money.