The Chicago Cubs are set to host the Boston Red Sox at Wrigley Field on Saturday, July 19, 2025, in a highly anticipated MLB matchup. Following the Cubs’ 4-1 victory in the series opener, which snapped Boston’s impressive 10-game winning streak, both teams are eager to assert their dominance. The game features a compelling pitching duel between Boston’s Brayan Bello and Chicago’s Shota Imanaga.
Game Overview
Saturday’s game, scheduled for 7:15 PM ET, pits the NL Central-leading Cubs (58-39) against the AL East’s third-place Red Sox (53-46). The Cubs hold a strong home record of 31-16, while the Red Sox have struggled on the road with a 21-26 record. The Cubs are favored with a moneyline of -149, while the Red Sox are at +125. The total runs line is set at 9, with the under slightly favored at -115.
Pitching Matchup
- Boston Red Sox: Brayan Bello (RHP)
- Season Record: 6-3
- ERA: 3.14
- Innings Pitched: 91.2
- Key Stat: 3 or fewer runs allowed in 13 of 16 starts.
- Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga (LHP)
- Season Record: 6-3
- ERA: 2.65
- Innings Pitched: 68.0
- Key Stat: Elite 0.93 WHIP and 16 walks issued all season.
Imanaga holds a slight edge due to his superior command and dominant home performance, boasting a 2.08 ERA at Wrigley Field.
Betting Insights and Trends
- Cubs Betting Performance
- 69.7% win rate when favored (46-20).
- 27-7 when favored by at least -149.
- 6-4-0 against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Red Sox Betting Performance
- 44.1% win rate as underdogs (15-19).
- 5-7 when favored by +125 or worse.
- 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Key Player Statistics
- Chicago Cubs
- Seiya Suzuki: 26 HR, 80 RBI
- Pete Crow-Armstrong: 25 HR, 71 RBI
- Kyle Tucker: 17 HR, .279 AVG
- Boston Red Sox
- Wilyer Abreu: 18 HR, 52 RBI
- Trevor Story: 15 HR, 58 RBI
- Ceddanne Rafaela: .316 AVG, 11 HR, 28 RBI since June 1.
Prediction
Given the strong pitching matchup and the wind blowing in at Wrigley Field, a lower-scoring game is anticipated. The Cubs, with their home advantage and Imanaga on the mound, are favored to win. The total runs are projected to be under 9, with a score prediction of Cubs 5, Red Sox 4.
Key Takeaways
- The Cubs are favored to win, building on their Friday victory.
- A pitching duel between Bello and Imanaga is expected to keep scoring low.
- Wrigley Field’s wind conditions are likely to suppress offense.
- The total runs are projected to be under 9.
- Ceddanne Rafaela is a key offensive player for the Red Sox to watch.