Latest News about Red Sox vs Cubs series at Wrigley Field. All the Red Sox vs Cubs pitching matchups, team momentum, key players, betting insights, and why this interleague clash is important in July 2025.
⚾ Red Sox vs Cubs Histroy
As soon as the second half of the 2025 MLB season starts with a Banger, the Boston Red Sox (53‑45, 10‑game winning streak) head to Wrigley Field for a Legendary Face off to a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs (57‑39), leaders of the NL Central.
This interleague showcase has a lot importance in playoff implications for both the teams. Boston aims to strengthen its Wild Card position, while Chicago wants to keep their maintain momentum in the crowded NL Central .
📅 Pitching Match Times
| Date | Time (ET) | Red Sox SP | Cubs SP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 7/18 | 2:20 p.m. | Lucas Giolito (3.36 ERA) | Colin Rea (3.91 ERA) |
| Saturday 7/19 | 6:15 p.m. | Brayan Bello (3.14 ERA) | Shōta Imanaga (2.65 ERA) |
| Sunday 7/20 | 1:20 p.m. | Garrett Crochet (2.23 ERA) | TBD |
- Giolito is on a tear: 5‑0 with a 0.70 ERA over his last six starts .
- Rea counters after limiting Boston in 2024, and strides strong at home.
🔥 Team Formations with Tactics
- Red Sox:
- Powered by LHP Garrett Crochet, rookie sluggers Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Story, and Ceddanne Rafaela .
- Their ten-game streak heading into the break is core to their surge .
- Cubs:
- Boast an impressive .625 record during recent home day games .
- Offense led by Pete Crow‑Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki .
🔍 Key Storylines
a. Boston’s Momentum vs. Chicago’s Comfort Zone
- Boston’s winning streak has changed their position from sellers to buyers at the trade deadline.
- Chicago has achieved a 30‑16 homestand record after returning from a well-earned break and now they are aiming for another strong stretch .
b. Interleague Impact
These games carry more than just wins—they affect scouting, seeding, and postseason positioning .
-Red Sox open up their second half against the Cubs, looking to win their 11th straight game
-Brewers go for their 8th straight win against the DodgersBaseball is back!⚾️ pic.twitter.com/i0NNL1PVxm
— MLB (@MLB) July 18, 2025
💵 Betting and Analytics
- Moneyline odds:
- Cubs favored ~‑140, Red Sox +116–+118.
- Predictions:
- Over/under around 7.5–8.5 runs; models lean Cubs 5‑4, over likely.
Analytics spotlight: Boston ranks top‑5 in runs, while Chicago leads in slugging and OPS+ .
🛠 Injuries & it’s Depth
Red Sox Injuries:
- Tanner Houck (SP), Liam Hendriks (RP), Zack Kelly, Luis Guerrero among IL-listed players .
Cubs Injuries:
- Miguel Amaya (C), RP Eli Morgan & Brandon Birdsell, SP Justin Steele .
🎥 Broadcast Live
- TV: Marquee, MLB Network; NESN, Fox primetime on Saturday .
- Streaming: Available in-market via MLB.tv; nationwide airing on ESPN local outlets .
- Fan Threads: Bleed Cubbie Blue hosting live game threads .
📚 Historical & Cultural Significance
- Boston and Chicago share a very Old times rivalry that dates back to the 1918 World Series.
- The 2025 post-All-Star series is all prepared to resonate in both cities as a late-summer Heart pounding momentum Event.
✅ Why This Series is much important
- Playoff trajectory — Boston’s win streak could cement a Wild Card spot, Chicago’s strong stretch could drive their post season dominance.
- Trade temperature — Boston’s resurgence may shift their front-office mindset .
- Pitching narratives — How Giolito, Rea, Crochet perform against elite opponents speaks volumes about each team’s season outlook.