The Chicago Cubs enter their July 12, 2025 matchup against the New York Yankees as one of the most balanced and intriguing teams in the National League, leading the NL Central with a 55–39 record and showcasing a roster that blends emerging young talent with proven veteran contributors. Despite being slight underdogs at Yankee Stadium, the Cubs have covered the spread in seven of their last ten appearances in the Bronx, a testament to their ability to compete in hostile environments and rise to the occasion against marquee opponents. Their offensive attack has been led by Pete Crow-Armstrong, whose combination of speed, bat control, and defensive brilliance in center field has turned heads all season, and Kyle Tucker, who has delivered consistent power from the middle of the lineup. Seiya Suzuki has also found his rhythm at the plate, providing clutch hits and a disciplined approach that helps extend innings and wear down opposing pitchers. Ian Happ, a switch-hitter with sneaky power and solid on-base skills, rounds out a top four that is capable of putting pressure on even the most elite rotations. Against left-handed starters like Max Fried and Carlos Rodón, the Cubs have had mixed results in 2025, which could present a challenge in this series, but their lineup’s flexibility and approach-oriented mentality gives them a chance to grind out runs.

The pitching staff has been a steady strength, with Saturday’s starter Matthew Boyd posting a surprising All-Star-caliber season with a 2.52 ERA, mixing speeds effectively and keeping hitters off-balance with a revamped changeup and slider combination. Boyd’s resurgence has been a critical development for a Cubs team that has needed innings and stability behind Justin Steele and Jordan Wicks, and he’ll be tasked with navigating a Yankees lineup that features multiple All-Star bats and excels in hitter-friendly parks like Yankee Stadium. The bullpen remains a work-in-progress but has shown resilience, with Adbert Alzolay anchoring the closer role and Hector Neris providing late-inning support. Defensively, the Cubs are one of the league’s sharper teams, particularly up the middle with Nico Hoerner at second base and Dansby Swanson at shortstop, giving Boyd a reliable defensive backbone that helps the team stay in games even when the bats go quiet. Bench depth has also emerged as a strength, with players like Patrick Wisdom and Miguel Amaya stepping into roles when needed and delivering key moments, especially in road series. Manager Craig Counsell has received praise for his tactical flexibility and ability to manage pitching matchups, a skill that will be vital as the Cubs look to neutralize the Yankees’ power game. For Chicago, this series against New York is an opportunity to measure themselves against another World Series-caliber roster while continuing to solidify their grip on the division lead. If Boyd can pitch deep into the game and the offense can scratch out a few early runs, the Cubs could once again defy the betting odds and remind the league why they’re a legitimate threat to win it all in 2025.