Matchup: Boston Red Sox vs Chicago Cubs
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Broadcast: Marquee Network
Betting Odds: Boston Red Sox (+162) Chicago Cubs (-196)
The Boston Red Sox (53-45) head to Wrigley Field this Saturday to compete against the Chicago Cubs (57-39). The moneyline for this matchup features Boston at +162 and Chicago at -196. The over/under total stands at 8.5. The starting pitchers for today’s game are Brayan Bello and Shota Imanaga.
As a collective unit, the Boston Red Sox are averaging 5.0 runs per game, ranking them 5th in the league. They have totaled 491 runs with an on-base percentage of .326. The Red Sox have hit 200 doubles and blasted 122 home runs. They have garnered 470 RBIs alongside 863 hits this season, resulting in a batting average of .256. Boston boasts a slugging percentage of .433, having struck out 877 times while drawing 319 walks.
On the pitching side, the Red Sox have achieved an earned run average (ERA) of 3.79, placing them 12th in MLB. Their pitchers have recorded 822 strikeouts and surrendered 91 home runs, alongside a total of 430 runs (ranked 21st in MLB). Boston’s pitching staff has issued 324 walks and features a team FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.81. They have allowed 816 hits at a rate of 8.4 hits per nine innings and have a combined WHIP of 1.30.
The bullpen has a save success rate of 59.1% from 98 save opportunities. They have inherited 132 runners with a scoring percentage of 34.1%. The relief pitchers have faced runners on base 97 times this season and have made 119 high-leverage appearances. Across the season, the Red Sox have utilized 318 relief pitchers, achieving 52 holds (19th in the league) and converting 26 saves out of 44 chances, with 18 blown saves.
Defensively, the Red Sox converted 68.5% of balls in play into outs during 7,908 innings, ranking 25th in the league. The team has recorded 2,636 putouts, 908 assists, and 78 errors, leading to a fielding percentage of .978, which is 29th in MLB. They have turned 82 double plays this year.
Brayan Bello, with a career record of 34-30, holds a FIP of 4.12 after facing 2,026 batters. He has allowed 480 hits (averaged at 9.2 hits per 9 innings) and has issued 170 walks. Bello’s ERA stands at 4.18, giving up 217 earned runs and featuring a WHIP of 1.391. Over his career, he has pitched 467 innings and registered 410 strikeouts.
The Chicago Cubs boast a team slugging percentage of .446 and score an impressive 5.33 runs per game, positioning them 2nd in MLB. With 166 doubles, 331 walks, and 512 runs, the Cubs have hit 142 home runs and collected 501 RBIs. The team has struck out 743 times (26th in MLB) and achieved 849 hits, maintaining a .256 batting average alongside a .325 on-base percentage this season.
On the mound, the Cubs have allowed 393 runs and currently hold a 3.84 team ERA (365 earned runs). They have permitted 117 home runs, yielding 4.14 runs per 9 innings (14th in the league). Their pitching staff has a WHIP of 1.228, with a FIP of 4.20. The team has recorded a K/BB ratio of 7.60 (718 strikeouts against 257 walks), ranking 17th in MLB for total hits allowed (793).
In 94 save situations, the Cubs have achieved 58 holds and recorded 10 blown saves. Their bullpen has entered 33 save opportunities successfully converting 23 saves. Additionally, they have participated in 97 high-leverage situations with runners on base 68 times. The Cubs’ inherited runner scoring percentage is 30.1% from 93 inherited runners, and they rank 5th in the league with a save percentage of 69.7%, utilizing 315 relief pitchers this season.
Defensively, the Cubs have turned 79 double plays and have a fielding percentage of .989 (5th in MLB). They have made 813 assists, 38 errors, and achieved 2,567 putouts this season. In 7,701 innings played, the Cubs have a defensive efficiency of 71.2% (6th in MLB).
Shota Imanaga has given up 196 hits and has 222 strikeouts in 241 innings pitched. He has allowed 76 earned runs and holds a WHIP of 0.995, along with a FIP of 2.80. His career strikeout to walk ratio is 5.05, having faced 958 batters. Imanaga boasts a career record of 21-6 with a 2.84 ERA, allowing 7.3 hits per nine innings.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s MLB showdown against the spread or moneyline?
Josh Schonwald’s Prediction: Back Boston (+162)
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