The Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox meet Saturday in MLB action from Fenway Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Chicago Cubs vs Boston Red Sox prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Chicago Cubs have tabbed Ben Brown as the starter for this game. Brown is 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA and 18 strikeouts this season. This will be Brown’s first career start against the Boston Red Sox. Boston has listed Josh Winckowski as the starter here and Winckowski is 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA and 18 strikeouts this season. This will be Winckowski’s second career start against the Chicago Cubs.
Chicago Cubs Recap
The Chicago Cubs started the series on a high note, taking it to the Red Sox in a 7-1 series-opening triumph. The Cubs jumped out to a 2-0 lead and 3-0 lead before Boston got on the board in the bottom of the 4th, but Chicago would restore the three-run cushion in the top of the 5th before adding three more runs in the 7th and outhitting the Red Sox 14-7 in the win. The win kept the Cubs run going after their series sweep of the Astros to start the week. The Cubs will meet the Mets after this series.
Cubs Offense Is Rolling
Going into Friday’s Opener, Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with 27 hits, 7 doubles and a .300 batting average while Michael Busch has a team-high 6 home runs with 16 RBIs and Cody Bellinger has 5 homers with a team-high 17 RBIs this season. Busch also has a team-high 30 strikeouts while Dansby Swanson, Christopher Morel and Seiya Suzuki all have 3 homers so far this season.
Chicago Cubs Team Facts
- The Cubs have won each of their last six games against American League opponents.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last seven games against American League opponents after playing the previous day.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last three day games against American League opponents.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last three road games against American League opponents.
Boston Red Sox Recap
The Red Sox took one on the chin in Friday’s series-opening loss, but realistically, it wasn’t that much of a surprise as the Red Sox have had trouble all year long giving their starters run support and the Red Sox have really seen their fair share of struggles at Fenway Park. The Red Sox will face the Giants following this series.
Red Sox Inconsistent At The Plate
Entering Friday’s opening game, Jarren Duran leads the Red Sox with 28 hits along with 8 stolen bases, 5 doubles and 29 strikeouts and is one of seven Boston bats with 10 RBIs so far this season. Tyler O’Neill has a team-high 7 home runs and Triston Casas has 6 homers with 10 RBIs as well while Wilyer Abreu has a team-leading 7 doubles. Connor Wong also has 5 home runs and a team-leading 11 RBIs this season.
Boston Red Sox Team Facts
- The Red Sox have lost nine of their last 10 home games against NL Central opponents.
- The Red Sox have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 home games against NL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Red Sox’s last four home games against NL Central opponents.
- The Red Sox have led after 3 innings in each of their last three day games against NL Central opponents.
Chicago Cubs vs Boston Red Sox prediction
I’m on the over in this game. Sure, the Red Sox have had their fair share of inconsistencies, but the Red Sox fare a lot better against right-handed pitching compared to their numbers against lefties which is why they struggled so much against Imanaga on Friday. I think the Red Sox will have some success here offensively, but I think the Cubs will as well, as they were able to get to a much better option in Kutter Crawford early and often on Friday and I think we see a pile of runs in this game. Give me the over.