Baseball fans are in for a treat this afternoon as the Boston Red Sox head to Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs in a classic interleague matchup. For Boston, this game isn’t just another date on the schedule but a chance to stretch their current winning streak to 11 games.
The Red Sox are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, surging through July after a rough start to the season. They’ve managed to claw their way to a 53-45 record, good for third place in the American League East. Not bad for a team that was flirting with .500 just a few weeks ago.
The Cubs are sitting pretty at the top of the National League Central with a 57-39 record. They’ve won two straight and are looking to keep control of the division as the second half of the season heats up.
First Pitch at Wrigley
The game is set for 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field, one of baseball’s most iconic stadiums. Chicago fans will be hoping for some home-field magic after all, the Cubs have been tough to beat at home this season, boasting a 30-16 record at Wrigley.
But don’t count the Red Sox out. Boston has won five of the last seven games against the Cubs, including three of the last four played at Wrigley. Historically, these teams don’t meet often, but when they do, it’s usually a battle.
Who’s on the Mound?
For Chicago, Colin Rea will get the start. The right-hander has quietly put together a solid season, going 7-3 with a 3.91 ERA over 19 games (15 of them starts). He’s pitched 92 innings, given up 93 hits, and struck out 65 batters.
Rea’s last outing was a gem. On July 10, he pitched seven innings against the Minnesota Twins, allowing just three hits and one run, while striking out five in an 8-1 Cubs win. If he can keep that momentum going, he’ll give Chicago a great shot at snapping Boston’s streak.
Cubs’ Bats Heating Up
At the plate, the Cubs will look to Michael Busch to lead the offense. Busch has been tearing it up this season, hitting .290 with 19 home runs and 59 RBIs in 90 games. He’s been particularly dangerous in July, including a massive three-home-run game against the Cardinals on July 4, where he drove in five runs.
Busch followed that performance with a 3-for-5 day in the next game, proving he’s more than just a power hitter, consistent, too. If he stays hot, the Cubs will have a good chance to outslug Boston.
Boston Sends Giolito to the Hill
The Red Sox will counter with Lucas Giolito, who has been lights out lately. Giolito comes in with a 6-1 record and a 3.36 ERA over 13 starts. He’s thrown 72.1 innings, giving up 68 hits, with 64 strikeouts to his name.
Giolito has won his last six decisions, including a dominant performance against the Colorado Rockies on July 9. In that game, he pitched six scoreless innings, allowed only four hits, and struck out six batters.
If Giolito can keep rolling, the Red Sox could be looking at win number 11.
Boston’s Offense Clicking
Trevor Story has been a significant contributor to Boston’s recent success. The Red Sox shortstop is hitting .257 with 15 homers, 58 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases so far this season. He’s been clutch in key moments and has hits in five of his last six games.
In Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay, Story went 2-for-3, drove in a run, and swiped a base. If he stays locked in, Chicago’s pitchers will have their hands full.
Betting Lines and Predictions
The Cubs are the slight favorite, listed at -137 on the money line according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while the Red Sox are the underdogs at +116. The over/under for total runs is set at 7.5, meaning oddsmakers are expecting a relatively low-scoring affair.
That said, both of these teams can score in bunches, so don’t be surprised if the game turns into a slugfest.
Final Thoughts
This game is shaping up to be one of the weekend’s must-watch matchups. Will the Red Sox keep their streak alive, or will the Cubs defend their home turf and cool off Boston’s bats?
One thing’s for sure: with two strong starting pitchers, potent lineups, and playoff implications, this one has all the ingredients for a classic.
