The Boston Red Sox, basking in a 10-game winning streak, are set to face the Chicago Cubs on Friday, July 18, at Wrigley Field. This matchup, starting at 2:20 p.m. EST (1:20 p.m. CST), is poised to be a clash of titans with the Red Sox aiming to close the gap in the American League East, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by just three games, according to NBC Sports.
Lucas Giolito, with an impressive 6-1 record and a 3.36 ERA (Earned Run Average), will take the mound for Boston, says NBC Sports. On the other side, Colin Rea (7-3, 3.91 ERA) will pitch for the Cubs, providing a compelling pitching duel.
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Key players and betting insights
Alex Bregman and Roman Anthony will bat consecutively at the Nos. 2 and 3 positions in Boston’s lineup, reports Yahoo Sports. Despite Masataka Yoshida sitting out, Marcelo Mayer will fill in at second base. Boston hopes Bregman's return bolsters their formidable lineup, says NBC Sports.
The Cubs, dominating the National League Central, lead the Brewers by a single game. Key players Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker add firepower, as Chicago's offense ranks just behind the Dodgers, according to NBC Sports. For bettors, NC Sports claims that the odds tip slightly in the Cubs’ favor with a -128 moneyline, while Boston stands at +108.
Recent trends reveal the Red Sox covered the Run Line in three consecutive away games, while eight of the Cubs' last ten home games have exceeded the total. NBC Sports' model suggests a bet on Boston against the spread at +1.5 and favors an over on the total of 8.0 runs, presenting considerations for potential bettors.
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