Two legendary MLB franchises meet at Fenway Park this weekend, as the Chicago Cubs look to stay hot against the Boston Red Sox.
Let’s take a look at the three-game series opener on Friday and make a pick.
Cubs vs. Red Sox odds
Moneyline: Cubs -110, Red Sox -106
Run Line: Cubs -1.5 (+150), Red Sox -1.5 (-182)
Total: Over 7.5 (-118), Under 7.5 (-104)
Odds via FanDuel
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Cubs vs. Red Sox prediction & pick
The Cubs pulled off an impressive home sweep of the struggling Houston Astros, allowing six total runs in three victories.
Chicago improved to 10-3 at Wrigley Field, but Craig Counsell’s team has posted just a 6-6 record on the road this season.
Rookie left-hander Shota Imanaga has turned into the ace of the Cubs’ staff, at least with Justin Steele currently sidelined. Imanaga has put together a 3-0 record in four starts along with an ERA of 0.84.
The Cubs’ bullpen has stepped up lately, allowing one run in the last three games. The relief staff has yielded a total of one run in Imanaga’s four starts.
The Red Sox return to Fenway Park after dropping two out of three games at Cleveland, finishing their six-game road swing at 4-2.
Boston hasn’t been very good at home with just a 3-7 record, which includes getting outscored, 20-1, in three series-opening losses.
Kutter Crawford gets the nod for Boston on Friday night. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Kutter Crawford has jumped out to an impressive start in the opening month of the season, allowing two earned runs in five outings.
In two home starts, Crawford didn’t give up a single run against the Orioles and Guardians, but the Red Sox somehow lost both times.
Since the All-Star break last season, the Red Sox own a dreadful 1-8 record in Crawford’s last nine home starts.
He shut down the Cubs last season at Wrigley Field in an 11-5 triumph, allowing one hit in six scoreless innings while striking out nine batters.
However, Boston’s inability to score in home series openers has been a problem, while Chicago has won four of its last five road games.
Let’s follow that trend and take Chicago to win Game 1 on Friday at Fenway Park.
Pick: Cubs moneyline (-109 at BetRivers)
