The Boston Red Sox, riding an impressive 10-game winning streak, are set to face the National League Central-leading Chicago Cubs in a highly anticipated three-game series at iconic Wrigley Field. The series kicks off on Friday, July 18, 2025, with a 2:20 p.m. ET first pitch, followed by games on July 19 and 20.
Game 1: Pitching Matchup and Betting Insights
Friday’s opener will feature a compelling pitching duel between Boston’s right-hander Lucas Giolito (6-1, 3.36 ERA) and Chicago’s right-hander Colin Rea (7-3, 3.91 ERA). Giolito, who missed the entire 2024 season due to an internal brace procedure and had his 2025 debut delayed by a hamstring injury, has been in excellent form recently. Over his last six starts, he boasts a stellar 0.70 ERA and a 0.879 WHIP. Cubs hitter Kyle Tucker is 5-for-18 against Giolito in his career, though it’s worth noting this is a small sample size.
Colin Rea has also been pitching well, particularly over his last three starts, where he’s posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.750 WHIP across 18⅔ innings, including a strong seven-inning outing against the Minnesota Twins last week. Current Red Sox hitters have a collective .250 average against Rea in a limited sample, with Trevor Story accounting for the lone home run.
According to FOX Sports, the Cubs are favored in the opening game with a moneyline of -140, while the Red Sox are the underdog at +118. The total runs for the game are set at 7.5. The Cubs have a 58.3% implied win probability, compared to the Red Sox’s 45.9%. Chicago has performed well as favorites this season, winning 45 of 65 games (69.2%) when favored, and an even stronger 31-12 (72.1%) when favored by -140 or more.
Team Form and Key Statistics
The Boston Red Sox (53-45) enter this series on a remarkable 10-game winning streak, showcasing strong recent performance. Over their last 10 outings, they’ve averaged 7 runs per game with a collective 1.90 ERA, hitting 15 home runs. Their impressive run has them sitting third in the AL East standings, just three games behind the division leader, Toronto.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs (57-39) lead the NL Central and hold a two-game winning streak. The Cubs’ offense has been a force this season, ranking second in MLB in runs (512) and runs per game (5.33), and third in home runs (142). They also boast the league’s best OPS+ at 121. Notably, the Cubs have a strong home record on Friday afternoons this season, going 5-3 (.625), a trend that could play into their favor.
Players to Watch
For the Red Sox, center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela has been a standout, leading the team with a .271 batting average and currently on a 10-game hitting streak. During this hot stretch, he’s batting .421 with six doubles, five home runs, and 15 RBIs. Wilyer Abreu leads the team with 18 home runs, while Trevor Story has driven in a team-high 58 runs. Jarren Duran has also been a significant contributor with 25 doubles and 10 triples.
On the Cubs’ side, Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong share the team lead with 25 home runs each, with Suzuki also pacing the team with 77 RBIs. Crow-Armstrong ranks sixth in MLB in homers and seventh in RBIs. First baseman Michael Busch has been on a tear since May 30, batting .341 with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs over his last 37 games.
Looking Ahead in the Series
The series continues on Saturday, July 19, with another intriguing pitching matchup. The Red Sox are expected to send right-hander Brayan Bello (6-3, 3.14 ERA) to the mound, while the Cubs will counter with left-hander Shota Imanaga (6-3, 2.65 ERA). This game, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on FOX, adding to the national interest in this interleague clash. The final game of the series is set for Sunday, July 20.
As two of baseball’s most storied franchises meet, fans can expect an exciting weekend of baseball at Wrigley Field, with both teams looking to maintain their strong positions in their respective divisions.
