Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs: 2025 MLB Showdown Preview
As the MLB season progresses into late July, the Boston Red Sox are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs on July 19, 2025. This interleague clash brings its own intrigue, as both teams are in the thick of their respective playoff races. With the season past its halfway mark, every game takes on added significance, especially for teams like these that are jockeying for position in tight divisional and wildcard standings.
Analysis Content
Context: Standings and Significance
The Boston Red Sox enter this matchup sitting second in the American League East, trailing the league-leading New York Yankees by a mere three games. Boston boasts a strong 54-40 record and is very much alive in the wildcard race, making every victory crucial in their pursuit of postseason glory.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in an equally intense National League Central division fight. With a 52-42 record, the Cubs are just two games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs are also contending for one of the NL wildcard spots, making their performance against non-divisional opponents like the Red Sox critical to their playoff aspirations.
Recent Performance
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have been on a hot streak, winning seven of their last ten games. This surge includes notable victories against divisional rivals, which has helped keep pressure on the Yankees. Boston’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, averaging close to six runs per game over this stretch. Key moments included a walk-off homer against Tampa Bay and a thrilling extra-innings win over Baltimore.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have been steady, going 6-4 in their last ten contests. Despite a brief three-game losing streak, they have rebounded well with recent series wins against the Cardinals and Pirates. The Cubs’ pitching staff has been particularly impressive, allowing an average of just three runs per game in their last five outings. Their bullpen has shown resilience, often closing out games in high-pressure situations.
Head-to-Head History
This season, the Red Sox and Cubs have met three times, with Boston holding a 2-1 advantage. Historically, the Red Sox have enjoyed success against the Cubs, winning eight of their last twelve meetings dating back to 2022. However, the Cubs have shown they can compete with Boston, often pushing games to the brink.
Pitching Matchups
Probable Starters
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Boston Red Sox: Left-hander Chris Sale is expected to take the mound for the Red Sox. Sale has been a workhorse this season, posting a 3.45 ERA, a WHIP of 1.15, and averaging 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Although his last outing was a bit rocky against the Yankees, allowing four runs in six innings, Sale has generally been effective at keeping hitters off balance.
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Chicago Cubs: The Cubs will counter with right-hander Marcus Stroman. Stroman has been stellar this season, with a 3.15 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09, alongside striking out 8.5 batters per nine innings. He is coming off a dominant performance against the Dodgers, where he pitched eight scoreless innings, showcasing his potential to stifle even the most potent lineups.
Key Position-Player Matchups
Boston Red Sox
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Rafael Devers: The third baseman is having another All-Star caliber season, batting .290 with an OPS of .920, 25 home runs, and 75 RBIs. Devers has historically struggled against sinkerball pitchers like Stroman, hitting just .210 against similar styles.
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Alex Verdugo: Verdugo has been the table-setter for Boston, boasting a .305 average with a .850 OPS. His ability to reach base consistently makes him a threat, and he has a career .320 average against Stroman’s pitches.
Chicago Cubs
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Cody Bellinger: Bellinger has rediscovered his form this season, hitting .275 with an OPS of .890, adding 22 home runs and 60 RBIs. He’s known to handle lefties well, making him a potential game-changer against Sale.
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Dansby Swanson: Swanson has been a solid contributor for the Cubs, batting .260 with an OPS of .800. He is a clutch performer with a knack for delivering in critical moments, though he has a modest .240 average against left-handed pitchers like Sale.
Situational Factors
Venue and Conditions
The game is set at Wrigley Field, known for its unpredictable wind patterns that can significantly affect gameplay. The forecast predicts mild temperatures in the high 70s, with a slight breeze blowing out to right field, potentially aiding left-handed power hitters like Devers.
Injuries and Roster Moves
The Red Sox will miss outfielder Jarren Duran, who is on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring issue, while the Cubs are without reliever Rowan Wick due to shoulder soreness. Both absences could influence late-game strategies and bullpen usage.
Advanced Metrics
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Boston Red Sox: As a team, Boston sports a wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) of 115, indicating an offense 15% better than league average. On the pitching side, their team FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) stands at 3.95, suggesting stability in their staff beyond ERA.
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Chicago Cubs: The Cubs have a team WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 45, reflecting a balanced contribution from their roster. Their bullpen’s FIP of 3.85 highlights their effectiveness in limiting opponents’ scoring chances.
Prediction
Based on the analysis, the matchup appears evenly poised, with both clubs bringing strengths that could tilt the game in their favor. Given Chris Sale’s potential to dominate and the Red Sox’s recent offensive surge, Boston holds a slight advantage. I predict a narrow 5-4 victory for the Red Sox. While the Cubs are formidable, the depth of Boston’s lineup and their current momentum give them the edge. I am about 65% confident in this outcome, as the interplay of Wrigley Field’s nuances and each team’s strategic adjustments could certainly sway the result in unexpected ways.
| Player Name | Prop | Prediction | Line | Trends | Last 3 Games | Wind | Team | Odds | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Austin Gomber | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 3.5 | 3.2 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Colorado Rockies | -125 | 07-13 |
| Austin Gomber | pitcher_strikeouts | Under | 2.5 | 2.2 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Colorado Rockies | 200 | 07-13 |
| Austin Gomber | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.0 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Colorado Rockies | -165 | 07-13 |
 Brandon Young | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 3.0 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad |  Baltimore Orioles | -105 | 07-13 |
| Brandon Young | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 2.5 | 4.2 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad | Baltimore Orioles | -375 | 07-13 |
| Brandon Young | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.2 | Over Hit 1/3 | Bad | Baltimore Orioles | 120 | 07-13 |
 Brayan Bello | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.07 | Under Hit 2/3 | Bad |  Boston Red Sox | -105 | 07-13 |
| Brayan Bello | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 4.33 | Over Hit 1/3 | Bad | Boston Red Sox | -205 | 07-13 |
| Brayan Bello | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.27 | Over Hit 1/3 | Bad | Boston Red Sox | -160 | 07-13 |
 Clay Holmes | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 2.5 | 4.5 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral |  New York Mets | -205 | 07-13 |
 Cristopher Sanchez | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 1.5 | 1.72 | Under Hit 3/3 | Bad |  Philadelphia Phillies | 130 | 07-13 |
| Cristopher Sanchez | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 6.44 | Over Hit 3/3 | Bad | Philadelphia Phillies | -140 | 07-13 |
| Cristopher Sanchez | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.61 | Under Hit 3/3 | Bad | Philadelphia Phillies | -170 | 07-13 |
 Freddy Peralta | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 1.5 | 1.68 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Milwaukee Brewers | -170 | 07-13 |
| Freddy Peralta | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 5.5 | 5.84 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Milwaukee Brewers | -235 | 07-13 |
| Freddy Peralta | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.89 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Milwaukee Brewers | 125 | 07-13 |
 Hunter Brown | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 1.5 | 1.5 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Houston Astros | -125 | 07-13 |
| Hunter Brown | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 7.17 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Houston Astros | -420 | 07-13 |
| Hunter Brown | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.78 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Houston Astros | 110 | 07-13 |
 Jack Flaherty | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 2.78 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad |  Detroit Tigers | 110 | 07-13 |
| Jack Flaherty | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 6.5 | Over Hit 3/3 | Bad | Detroit Tigers | -400 | 07-13 |
| Jack Flaherty | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.11 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad | Detroit Tigers | -175 | 07-13 |
 Jake Irvin | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 3.11 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral |  Washington Nationals | -160 | 07-13 |
| Jake Irvin | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 2.5 | 4.11 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Washington Nationals | -375 | 07-13 |
| Jake Irvin | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.95 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Washington Nationals | -160 | 07-13 |
 Jeffrey Springs | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.37 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral |  Oakland Athletics | 115 | 07-13 |
| Jeffrey Springs | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 2.5 | 4.26 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Oakland Athletics | -375 | 07-13 |
| Jeffrey Springs | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.0 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Oakland Athletics | -190 | 07-13 |
 Joey Cantillo | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 1.5 | 0.65 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Cleveland Guardians | 130 | 07-13 |
| Joey Cantillo | pitcher_strikeouts | Under | 3.5 | 2.09 | Under Hit 0/3 | Neutral | Cleveland Guardians | 290 | 07-13 |
| Joey Cantillo | pitcher_walks | Under | 2.5 | 0.87 | Under Hit 1/3 | Neutral | Cleveland Guardians | -190 | 07-13 |
 Jose Berrios | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.32 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Toronto Blue Jays | 100 | 07-13 |
| Jose Berrios | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 5.05 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Toronto Blue Jays | -385 | 07-13 |
| Jose Berrios | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.05 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral | Toronto Blue Jays | -110 | 07-13 |
 Jose Soriano | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 2.53 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Los Angeles Angels | -105 | 07-13 |
| Jose Soriano | pitcher_strikeouts | Under | 4.5 | 5.0 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Los Angeles Angels | 104 | 07-13 |
| Jose Soriano | pitcher_walks | Over | 2.5 | 2.74 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral | Los Angeles Angels | -105 | 07-13 |
 Logan Gilbert | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 1.5 | 2.09 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad |  Seattle Mariners | -180 | 07-13 |
| Logan Gilbert | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 5.5 | 7.18 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad | Seattle Mariners | -250 | 07-13 |
| Logan Gilbert | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.18 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad | Seattle Mariners | 110 | 07-13 |
 Merrill Kelly | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 2.21 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Arizona Diamondbacks | -135 | 07-13 |
| Merrill Kelly | pitcher_strikeouts | Under | 5.5 | 5.63 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Arizona Diamondbacks | -105 | 07-13 |
| Merrill Kelly | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.53 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Arizona Diamondbacks | -105 | 07-13 |
 Mitch Keller | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.37 | Under Hit 3/3 | Very Poor |  Pittsburgh Pirates | -110 | 07-13 |
| Mitch Keller | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 4.68 | Over Hit 3/3 | Very Poor | Pittsburgh Pirates | -420 | 07-13 |
| Mitch Keller | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.42 | Under Hit 3/3 | Very Poor | Pittsburgh Pirates | -145 | 07-13 |
 Nathan Eovaldi | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 1.5 | 1.0 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Texas Rangers | 130 | 07-13 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 5.73 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Texas Rangers | -385 | 07-13 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 0.87 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Texas Rangers | -190 | 07-13 |
 Nick Martinez | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 2.5 | 2.85 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Cincinnati Reds | -125 | 07-13 |
| Nick Martinez | pitcher_strikeouts | Under | 3.5 | 3.65 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Cincinnati Reds | 225 | 07-13 |
| Nick Martinez | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.2 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Cincinnati Reds | 160 | 07-13 |
 Nick Pivetta | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 1.94 | Under Hit 3/3 | Bad |  San Diego Padres | -155 | 07-13 |
| Nick Pivetta | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 5.5 | 6.33 | Over Hit 3/3 | Bad | San Diego Padres | -160 | 07-13 |
| Nick Pivetta | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.5 | Under Hit 2/3 | Bad | San Diego Padres | -105 | 07-13 |
 Noah Cameron | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 1.64 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Kansas City Royals | -140 | 07-13 |
| Noah Cameron | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 4.55 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Kansas City Royals | -205 | 07-13 |
| Noah Cameron | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.82 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Kansas City Royals | 110 | 07-13 |
 Robbie Ray | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 1.74 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral |  San Francisco Giants | -125 | 07-13 |
| Robbie Ray | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 6.42 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | San Francisco Giants | -275 | 07-13 |
| Robbie Ray | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.21 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | San Francisco Giants | -180 | 07-13 |
 Ryan Pepiot | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.11 | Under Hit 2/3 | Bad |  Tampa Bay Rays | -105 | 07-13 |
| Ryan Pepiot | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 5.63 | Over Hit 2/3 | Bad | Tampa Bay Rays | -230 | 07-13 |
| Ryan Pepiot | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.89 | Over Hit 3/3 | Bad | Tampa Bay Rays | -145 | 07-13 |
 Shota Imanaga | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 1.73 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  Chicago Cubs | 105 | 07-13 |
| Shota Imanaga | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 3.82 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral | Chicago Cubs | -375 | 07-13 |
| Shota Imanaga | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.36 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral | Chicago Cubs | -165 | 07-13 |
 Simeon Woods Richardson | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.21 | Under Hit 3/3 | Very Poor |  Minnesota Twins | -165 | 07-13 |
| Simeon Woods Richardson | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 2.5 | 4.21 | Over Hit 3/3 | Very Poor | Minnesota Twins | -500 | 07-13 |
| Simeon Woods Richardson | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.93 | Over Hit 2/3 | Very Poor | Minnesota Twins | -135 | 07-13 |
 Sonny Gray | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 1.5 | 2.28 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  St. Louis Cardinals | -150 | 07-13 |
| Sonny Gray | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 5.5 | 6.28 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | St. Louis Cardinals | 120 | 07-13 |
| Sonny Gray | pitcher_walks | Under | 1.5 | 1.06 | Under Hit 3/3 | Neutral | St. Louis Cardinals | -140 | 07-13 |
 Will Warren | pitcher_earned_runs | Under | 2.5 | 2.47 | Under Hit 2/3 | Neutral |  New York Yankees | -150 | 07-13 |
| Will Warren | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 3.5 | 5.84 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | New York Yankees | -385 | 07-13 |
| Will Warren | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 2.16 | Over Hit 3/3 | Neutral | New York Yankees | -200 | 07-13 |
 Yoshinobu Yamamoto | pitcher_earned_runs | Over | 1.5 | 1.67 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral |  Los Angeles Dodgers | -155 | 07-13 |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | pitcher_strikeouts | Over | 4.5 | 6.06 | Over Hit 2/3 | Neutral | Los Angeles Dodgers | -240 | 07-13 |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | pitcher_walks | Over | 1.5 | 1.89 | Over Hit 1/3 | Neutral | Los Angeles Dodgers | -160 | 07-13 |
