Expert MLB Picks: Red Sox vs. Cubs

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs
Date: Saturday, July 15th, 2:20 ET
Location: Wrigley Field
TV: MARQ
Money Line: Red Sox -111/Cubs -108
Total Line: 8.5

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Chicago Cubs and the Red Sox on Saturday, July 15th at Wrigley Field. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

Red Sox vs. Cubs Projected Lineup

	Batting Order	Position
Alex Verdugo	1	RF
Justin Turner	2	DH
Masataka Yoshida	3	LF
Rafael Devers	4	3B
Jarren Duran	5	CF
Yu Chang	6	SS
Triston Casas	7	1B
Christian Arroyo	8	2B
Connor Wong	9	C
James Paxton	–	SP




	Batting Order	Position
Nico Hoerner	1	2B
Seiya Suzuki	2	RF
Ian Happ	3	LF
Trey Mancini	4	1B
Yan Gomes	5	C
Patrick Wisdom	6	3B
Miles Mastrobuoni	7	3B
Miguel Amaya	8	C
Christopher Morel	9	CF
Marcus Stroman	–	SP




Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

Boston Red Sox: 49-43 SU / OU 49-41 / Runline 48-44
Chicago Cubs: 42-48 SU / OU 45-42 / Runline 47-43

On a record of 49-43, the Red Sox are 4th in the AL East. Currently, they are 8.5 games out of the division lead. Against the Cubs, they will be seeking their 7th straight win. On the road, they have a record of 23-21 while going 26-22 at home. Boston’s overall series record is 16-11-3.

• The Red Sox have covered the runline in 52.2% of their games and have an average run margin of 0.3
• The Red Sox have been favored in 43.5% of their games and have runline records of 23-25 and 25-19 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 54% of the Red Sox’s 92 games at 49-41.

For the season, the Cubs have put together a record of 42-48, including going just 4-6 over their last ten games. In the NL Central standings, they are 3rd, trailing by seven games. This year, they have gone 21-23 at home and 21-25 on the road with an overall series mark of 13-12-4.

• The Cubs have covered the runline in 52.2% of their games and have an average run margin of 0.2
• The Cubs have been favored in 47.8% of their games and have runline records of 22-22 and 25-21 at home and on the road, respectively
• The over has hit in 52% of the Cubs’ 90 games at 45-42.

Pitching Matchup




Boston is looking to James Paxton to deliver yet another impressive performance, given he has earned a win in two consecutive games. So far he has an ERA of 2.73 and record of 5-1. Throughout the season, he has accumulated 64 strikeouts and has a batting average allowed of .201. In terms of slugging percentage, teams have SLG of .358 vs. Paxton.

James Paxton earned a win and a quality start in his previous game, leading his team to a 10-3 win over the Athletics. He allowed two runs and six hits across six innings.




For the season, Chicago starter Marcus Stroman has a record of 9-6 and ERA of 2.96. One thing to note, is that he has given up four or more earned run in two straight games. Overall, he has a slugging percentage allowed of .275 with opponents putting together a batting average of .199 against him. In terms of strikeouts, he comes in with a season-long total of 98 while issuing 41 walks.

In his last appearance, Marcus Stroman lasted five innings in the Cubs’ 6-5 loss to the Brewers. Individually, Stroman finished with a no-decision while giving up four runs on four hits.

Red Sox vs. Cubs Offense Outlook

This season, the Red Sox are ranked 5th in the league with an average of 5 runs per game. Boston is ranked 15th in home runs, with a total of 100 long balls. Their overall batting average is .265, including .231 on the road and .279 at home.

Boston Red Sox Team Hitting Stats




Boston Red Sox Top Hitters: Last Five Games




With an average of 4.6 runs per game, Chicago is 14th in the league for runs scored this season. They have hit a combined total of 98 home runs, putting them 16th in the league. Their current batting average of .246 is 14th in baseball. When playing on the road, their batting average is ranked 17th, compared to 16th when playing at home.

Chicago Cubs Top Bats




Chicago Cubs Top Hitters: Last Five Games




Free MLB Pick

James Paxton has quietly put together a solid season so far, allowing two earned runs or less in eight of his last ten starts. Even better, the Red Sox have won nine of their last ten games. Cubs starter Marcus Stroman started off hot, but started to peter out heading into the all-star break, dropping three games in a row, pitching equally bad in all those games, allowing 12 earned runs in just 14 innings. Lastly, the Cubs are 5-10 over their last 15 games. When healthy, “The Big Maple” (James Paxton) is a pitcher I like to get behind. He was a big-time prospect that just hasn’t been able to stay healthy over his career. He’s finally seeing the consistent success everybody expected. I’m betting the BoSox at -103.