The Boston Red Sox go to the Chicago Cubs in an excellent place: A 53-45 (.541 profitable share) document, good for third place within the AL East, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by simply three video games. They sit within the second American League Wild Card spot. The crew ended the unofficial “first half” on a ten-game profitable streak, the perfect in baseball.
2025 has been a season of many ups and downs: a March/April of 17-15 adopted by and 11-17 Might, a 14-12 June (9-4 earlier than The Commerce and 6-8 after), after which an 11-1 begin to July.
Friday’s starter, Lucas Giolito, enters with a 3.36 ERA / 3.62 FIP. He’s coming of six begins of no less than 6.0 innings and all however a kind of has been a high quality begin by which he allowed 2 or fewer runs. He faces Colin Rea, a pitcher outperforming his FIP by an excellent quantity. Placing out simply 17.1% of batters and strolling 6.0%, he’s a little bit of a distinct beast. Crochet, as an example strikes out almost 32% of batters. Giolito himself is at 21.7%. Walker Buehler is at 17.7%. However Rea’s on a little bit of a roll: in 4 of his final 5 begins he’s allowed a complete 6 runs. Within the different he allowed 7 runs to the Seattle Mariners. Will he be… Colin in sick?
Brayan Bello on Saturday has just lately altered his mechanics and pitch choice. With a 3.27 ERA / 4.21 FIP he has tossed no less than 6.0 innings in seven of his final eight outings. Shota Imanaga was lights out in 2024 however hasn’t had the identical success this season. Regardless of permitting a minuscule variety of hits — simply 47 in 68 innings — he’s additionally solely struck out 48 batters. Higher than Rea with 18.2% of batters retired by means of the Okay however nonetheless not nice. He’s allowed eight runs over his final 5 begins and the Cubs have received three of these video games. Is the Sox offense going to interrupt open the floodgates right here as a result of he can’t strike guys out or will Imanaga’s luck proceed?
Sunday concludes with All-Star Garrett Crochet. He’s coming off his first ever full sport shutout – that’s two firsts in a single. That is the important thing. Win one of many first two video games and also you’ve obtained a shot to take the collection behind your ace.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is the Chicago Cubs’ model of Ceddanne Rafaela: hit the ball arduous, play nice protection, hope the balls don’t get caught.
Kyle Tucker is their Alex Bregman: a solid off Houston Astro, though he was acquired in a commerce and appears to be a free agent this winter.
Justin Turner is…properly, all of us keep in mind the great occasions. Let’s simply want the man properly.
Carson Kelly is their catching shock: at 30 he simply determined to submit a .900 OPS.
Seiya Suzuki might be forgotten typically on the massive stage however he’s crushed 25 house runs up to now!
This needs to be a enjoyable one.
Simply keep in mind: day baseball in Chicago!
Possible Pitching Matchups
Friday July 11: Lucas Giolito (3.36 ERA / 3.62 FIP) vs. Colin Rea (3.91 ERA / 4.78 FIP)
Saturday July 12: Brayan Bello (3.14 ERA / 4.21 FIP) vs. Shota Imanaga (2.65 ERA / 4.52 FIP)
Sunday July 13: Garrett Crochet (2.23 ERA / 2.40 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
When/The place to Watch
Friday July 18: 2:20 PM ET on NESN
Saturday July 19: 7:15 PM ET on FOX
Sunday July 20: 2:20 PM ET on NESN
