- When: Friday, April 26 at 4:10 PM ET
- Who: Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox
- Starting Pitchers: Shota Imanaga and Kutter Crawford
- Where: Fenway Park in Boston, MA
It's a clash of baseball titans as the Chicago Cubs journey to Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox in a three-game weekend series.
With both teams aiming for supremacy in their respective divisions, this matchup promises high stakes and intense competition.
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Game Preview
Let's break down this game between two famed MLB franchises.
| Moneyline |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | -107 | -107 | -110 |
| Boston Red Sox | -103 | -103 | +100 |
The Cubs are battling the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the National League Central.
Fresh off a successful series against the Houston Astros, they are primed and ready for the challenge posed by the Red Sox.
How sweep it is 🧹
Crow-Armstrong: First @MLB HR, 2 RBI
Hoerner: 3-for-5, 2B
Tauchman: 1-for-1, 3 BB pic.twitter.com/HeyFmUyEwS— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 25, 2024
Meanwhile, despite boasting a winning record, the Red Sox are uniquely positioned as the bottom team in the fiercely competitive American League East.
Eager to turn their fortunes around, they capitalize on home-field advantage against the Cubs.
In head-to-head matchups, the Red Sox hold a slim lead over the Cubs, with past encounters showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams.
Taking the mound against the Red Sox is Shota Imanaha, boasting an impressive 3-0 record and a stellar 0.84 ERA. His recent performances have been solid, providing stability to the Cubs pitching rotation.
Opposing him is Kutter Crawford, who has also shown promise with a 1-0 record and an impressive 0.66 ERA. With a memorable shutout performance against the Cubs in his record, Crawford aims to replicate his success on the mound.
Offensively, the Cubs boast a formidable lineup, ranking among the top teams in batting average, on-base percentage, and runs scored.
Leadoff hitter Nico Hoerner sets the tone, while Ian Happ and Christopher Morel look to provide additional firepower.
Despite pitching struggles, particularly in team ERA and walks per inning, the Cubs rely on standout performances from pitchers like Imanaha to anchor their defense and keep them competitive.
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Total Runs
| Total Runs | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 8 Runs | -115 | -115 | -115 |
| Under 8 Runs | -105 | -105 | -105 |
As the Cubs and Red Sox square off, fans can expect a thrilling showdown between two storied franchises vying for victory on the diamond.
The Cubs' path to covering the spread hinges on early offensive production to support Imanaga on the mound. They'll need another quality start from him and improved bullpen performance to secure the win.
Conversely, the Red Sox are grappling with offensive struggles despite ranking high in home runs and slugging percentage.
With Devers' return, there's optimism for an offensive boost.
Raffy's back & Abreu keeps hitting!
Great combo. pic.twitter.com/hCoUImm1Sy— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 24, 2024
Duran and O'Neil have consistently contributed, setting the stage for potential scoring opportunities.
However, the Red Sox's strength lies in their pitching staff, boasting the best ERA in the majors and solid performance in walks per inning.
With Crawford leading the charge, they aim to stifle the Cubs' offense and maintain their defensive prowess.
With both teams featuring strong starting pitchers and potential offensive challenges, the game may unfold as a pitcher's duel or a low-scoring affair.
Expect a tight matchup where both teams struggle to score, favoring the under in this one.
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