MLB Lines – Cubs vs Yankees
The New York Yankees are in search of their third consecutive win after coming out on top in a four-game series with the Red Sox over this past weekend, when they host the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium for game one of their tow-game interleague series.
CHI: Jason Hammel (R)(2-0, 2.63 ERA) v NYY: Masahiro Tanaka (R) (1-0, 3.21 ERA)
Date/Time: 7:05 pm ET Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Brooklyn, New York
Broadcast: Local
Line: -209 New York
Total: 8
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Chicago (4-8) is in last place in the NL Central after losing its last two games, and continues to find itself struggling with a roster full of youngsters assembled to rebuild the storied franchise.
The Cubs are just 2-4 on the road in 2014, and 4-6 in their last 10 games. As a team they are hitting .241 and are led by Emilio Bonifacio hitting .392, Anthony Rizzo hitting .319, and Starlin Castro hitting .300.
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Defensively, Chicago’s pitching staff has an ERA of 4.17 with the starters at 4.06 and the bullpen at 4.36.
Not good as they face the Yankees (7-6), who are hitting .273 as at team, with Jacoby Ellsbury leading the Bombers with a .362 average, along with Yangervis Solarte, who is averaging .357.
That offensive production has New York tied atop the AL East.
The Yankees are 6-4 in their last 10 games, and will aim to improve to 5-3 at home on Tuesday by sending Masahiro Tanaka to the mound in search of his second win of the young season.
The right-handed Japanese superstar has allowed 13 hits and five earned runs while striking out 18 over 14 innings so far, and sports a 3.21 ERA after three quality outings in his first year in the league. He was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in Japan last year and hasn’t lost in 28 decisions since Aug. 19, 2012.
Meanwhile, the Cubs will call on Jason Hammel for game one in the Bronx. This season Hammel has allowed five hits and four runs while striking out 11 over 13.2 innings for a 2-0 record and a 2.63 ERA.
The right hander is 1-1, 2.65 in three starts at the new Yankee Stadium.
Matt’s Free Prediction:
Yankees
The Yankees swept Chicago in the 1938 World Series, but hadn’t met until 2003, with New York winning six of the nine encounters since.
The Yankees are a big favorite here having all the momentum after taking three of four against Boston, while the Cubs lost their eighth straight series by dropping two of three in St. Louis.
New York is the easy choice here.
