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The Chicago Cubs (57-39) will try to halt the red-hot Boston Red Sox (53-45) when the two teams square off Friday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Boston enters the matchup riding a 10-game winning streak, but the MLB betting lines have the Cubs slightly favored at -125 to end that run. Meanwhile, the surging Red Sox are priced as +105 underdogs to keep rolling.
- What? MLB: Boston Red Sox at Chicago Cubs
- Where? Wrigley Field, Chicago
- When? Friday, July 18, 2025
Chicago will hand the ball to Colin Rea, while Boston is set to send Lucas Giolito to the mound in response. Below are the odds from the best MLB Baseball betting sites.
| MLB |  |  |  |
| Boston Red Sox | +105 | +105 | +105 |
| Chicago Cubs | -125 | -125 | -125 |
| Over 8.0 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
| Under 8.0 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Odds are subject to change.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs have thrived when labeled as moneyline favorites this season, winning 45 of 65 such games for a 69.2% success rate. When listed at odds of -125 or shorter, they’ve been even sharper, posting a 42-16 record — a strong 72.4% win rate.
Offensively, Chicago has been one of the league’s most potent teams. They’ve plated 512 runs so far, ranking second in MLB with an average of 5.3 runs per game. Their power has also been on display, sitting third in the majors with 142 home runs. The Cubs boast a .256 team batting average, good for fifth overall, and they’re one of the toughest lineups to strike out — averaging just 7.7 strikeouts per game, the fifth-lowest mark in baseball.
On the mound, however, the numbers are more middle-of-the-pack. Chicago’s pitchers average 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings, which ranks 26th among all teams. Their overall ERA stands at 3.84, placing them 14th in the league. In total betting terms, the over has cashed in 49 of the Cubs’ games this season, giving them a 49-43-4 record against the total.
Chicago Cubs Key Players
Colin Rea will make his 16th start of the year for Chicago, entering the matchup with a 7-3 record, a 3.91 ERA, and 65 strikeouts across 92 2/3 innings of work.
At the plate, Seiya Suzuki has been the Cubs’ top producer, leading the team with 25 home runs and 77 RBIs while hitting .263. Pete Crow-Armstrong has also crushed 25 homers, adding 71 RBIs and a .544 slugging percentage. Kyle Tucker has been a steady presence in the lineup as well, posting a .280 batting average along with 17 home runs and 56 runs driven in. Nico Hoerner contributes with a .283 average, a .331 on-base percentage, and a .377 slugging mark.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have embraced the underdog role this season, going 15-18 in 33 games when not favored — a 45.5% win rate. When listed at odds of +105 or longer, they’ve improved slightly, winning 13 of 25 matchups (52%).
Boston has also leaned toward high-scoring contests, with the total going over in 47 of their 97 games so far. Offensively, the Red Sox are one of the league’s most productive clubs, ranking fifth in total runs scored with 491. They’ve launched 122 home runs, placing them 10th in the majors, and are tied with Chicago for the fifth-best team batting average at .256.
However, their lineup does have a tendency to strike out, averaging 8.9 punchouts per game — the third-most in MLB. On the pitching side, Boston’s staff sits right in the middle of the league with 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings (15th overall) and owns a 3.80 team ERA, good for 12th across all of baseball.
Boston Red Sox Key Players
Lucas Giolito is set to make his 14th start of the year for Boston, entering the matchup with an impressive 6-1 record.
At the plate, Ceddanne Rafaela leads the Red Sox in batting average, hitting .271 on the season. Jarren Duran has been a versatile offensive contributor, tallying 25 doubles, 10 triples, eight homers, and 30 walks while posting a .258 average. Wilyer Abreu provides the team’s top power threat with a team-high 18 home runs, while Trevor Story leads the club in RBIs with 58.
Cubs v Red Sox Prediction and Betting Picks
The Chicago Cubs have a solid case to edge out a close win on Friday, backed by a potent offense that ranks second in MLB in runs scored and third in home runs. Colin Rea has been dependable on the mound, and Chicago has excelled when favored, winning over 69% of those games this season. While the Red Sox are riding a hot streak, their high strikeout rate at the plate could be a liability against a disciplined Cubs lineup that rarely whiffs. With multiple power threats and a slight edge in run prevention, Chicago is well-positioned to snap Boston’s winning streak in a close, high-scoring contest.
ChatGPT said:
Odds are subject to change.
This matchup has strong potential to hit the over, thanks to two high-powered offenses and some middling pitching metrics on both sides. The Cubs average 5.3 runs per game and rank third in home runs, while Boston isn’t far behind, sitting fifth in both runs scored and team batting average. Both clubs have also frequently played in games that eclipse the total — the Cubs are 49-43-4 against the over, and the Red Sox are 47-50. With two capable lineups and starting pitchers who, while solid, aren’t dominant strikeout arms, a final score like 5-4 puts this game right in over territory.
ChatGPT said:
Odds are subject to change.
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