Chicago Cubs, Anderson look to turn the tables back on the Yankees

In a change of events, it was the Chicago Cubs that allowed the late runs and lost to the New York Yankees on Friday. With a depleted bullpen, the Cubs had to make do with the resources available. The bullpen should be back to full strength for Saturday’s game.

The last outing for the Chicago Cubs’ Brett Anderson didn’t go so well. After a rain delay, the game started–during more intense rain–and Anderson’s night was a short one. He allowed seven runs on seven hits over 1 1/3 innings as the Cubs lost to the Phillies. This start will be the sixth for Anderson against the New York Yankees, but his first since 2011.

The Yankees (18-9) trailed the Cubs (16-13) nearly the entire game on Friday. But with two out and two strikes, Hector Rondon allowed a three-run home run to Brett Gardner that turned out to be the deciding blow. With much of the bullpen unavailable due to the workload in the previous days, the game was going to be in Rondon’s hands, regardless.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

Anderson (2-1, 6.23) hasn’t looked all that impressive in any of his starts but has won two out of his five chances. Walks have been one of his biggest foes so far as he’s allowed 12 in 21 2/3 innings (4.98 per game). The “first-inning” woes that have hampered the staff will be the focus as Anderson needs to get off to a good start for the Cubs.

The Yankees will send rookie Jordan Montgomery (1-1, 4.15) to the mound. The young left-hander has had two quality starts in his first four outings, but has yet to pitch past the sixth inning. He’ll have an offense behind him that includes Aaron Judge, who Joe Maddon referred to as another “Frank Howard.” Leave it to Maddon to make a reference that many over 35 likely won’t recognize.

The Cubs, on the other hand, are going to need to muster more than just four hits. While Rondon allowed the game-winning homer, the Yankees had one chance after another to score. The Cubs got home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant that made up for all the Cubs could score.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

First pitch is at 6:15 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. Fox will have the television coverage while 670 The Score will carry the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back throughout the game for more Cubs’ news as well as after for our post-game coverage.