CHICAGO (Interstat) — A pivotal series between two of baseball’s elite begins Friday afternoon when the New York Yankees visit the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs (62-47) hold a one-game lead over the Yankees (61-48) in the win column, making this a crucial early August clash. First pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. under clouds and 85-degree heat.

Chicago has been installed as a -1.5 favorite, with an over/under of 9 runs. The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-6 Yankees victory.

Right-hander Ryan Weathers (7-5) will start for New York. Weathers is coming off a dominant no-decision Thursday against the White Sox, tossing seven shutout innings with four strikeouts despite taking a 1-2 loss in 11 innings. Over his last two starts, Weathers has allowed one earned run across 12 2/3 innings. In five July outings, he has posted a 3.74 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings.

The Cubs counter with right-hander Javier Assad (6-3). Assad earned the win Thursday at St. Louis, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts in a 4-2 Cubs victory in 10 innings. Assad has been sharp in July, posting a 1.59 ERA over his last three appearances, though he has not pitched more than five innings in any outing this month.

Both teams arrive having split their respective series. The Yankees dropped two of three in Chicago against the White Sox, winning Monday and Tuesday before losing the final two games, including Thursday’s extra-inning affair. The Cubs took two of three in St. Louis, winning Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after falling Wednesday in 10 innings.

Weathers will face a Cubs lineup that is 7-3 in its last 10 games, while New York is 6-4 in that span. New York’s bullpen has been solid, with Angel Chivilli and Fernando Cruz combining for 2 2/3 scoreless innings Thursday.

Friday’s game opens a three-game set at Wrigley Field, followed by a Sunday matinee and a Monday afternoon contest. The Yankees then return home for a six-game homestand against St. Louis and Atlanta, while the Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers for three games before a six-game road trip to Kansas City and Washington.

—