Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs look for sweep of New York Yankees

After handing Masahiro Tanaka his first loss since 2012 in the series opener Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs have their sights set on a two-game sweep of the New York Yankees, which would return the favor after Joe Girardi‘s club swept Chicago in a two-game series at Yankee Stadium earlier this season.

In the series finale, the Cubs turn to right-handed ace Jeff Samardzija (0-4, 1.62 ERA), who is still searching for his first win, despite posting the second-best earned run average in the National League. In his last start, he lasted just five innings against Milwaukee, allowing four runs – only two of which were earned. The 29-year-old Samardzija has allowed more than two earned runs just one time in his nine starts this season.

The Yankees will counter with Chase Whitley (0-0, 0.00 ERA), who is making his second start of the season. In his first, he tossed 4 2/3 innings, scattering just two hits – a start he will look to build upon in this afternoon’s contest.

The finale will be broadcast in the Chicagoland area on CSN, nationally on MLB Network and Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer will have the call on WGN AM 720.

Here are this afternoon’s starting lineups: