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The Chicago Cubs (16-9) and Boston Red Sox (14-12) open a 3-game interleague series Friday at Fenway Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Red Sox odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Red Sox won 2-1 in 2023 at Wrigley Field
The Cubs posted a 3-game interleague series sweep of the Houston Astros earlier this week, outscoring the ‘Stros 14-6 while cashing the Under in all 3 outings. The Cubs have won 5 consecutive interleague games. The total has gone low in 5 of the past 6 outings, and the Under is 10-3 in the past 13 games.
The Red Sox dropped 2 of 3 games on the road against the Cleveland Guardians, while the Under is on a 4-1-1 run for Boston. At home, Boston is just 3-7 this season. In interleague play, Boston is 3-for-3 this season after sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road April 19-21.
Cubs at Red Sox projected starters
LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Kutter Crawford
Imanaga (3-0, 0.84 ERA) makes his 5th start of the season. He has a 0.75 WHIP, 0.8 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 21 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H (1 HR), 0 BB, 5 K in 5-3 home win Saturday vs. Miami Marlins
- 2024 road splits: Win, 5 1/3 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K in 4-1 win vs. Seattle Mariners on April 13 in his only road appearance to date
Crawford (1-0, 0.66 ERA) makes his 6th start. He has a 0.99 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9 and 9.9 K/9 in 27 1/3 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 K in 4-2 road win vs. Pittsburgh Pirates last Saturday
- 2024 home splits: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 H, 4 BB, 12 K in 10 2/3 IP in 2 starts
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Cubs at Red Sox odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:04 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cubs -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Red Sox -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cubs -1.5 (+155) | Red Sox +1.5 (-190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Cubs at Red Sox picks and predictions
Prediction
Red Sox 3, Cubs 2
Moneyline
The RED SOX (-110) are a strong play in this interleague series opener against the Cubs (-110).
This should be a well-pitched game, and you’ll want to go lightly, as runs should be at a premium in a low-scoring pitcher’s duel. Back Boston, but have some patience, as things could get dicey.
Run line/Against the spread
The Red Sox +1.5 (-190) will set you back nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just too much risk for not enough reward. Over the long term, making bets with such tremendous risk will not pay off.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 8 (-105) is a slam-dunk play in this interleague series opener.
Imanaga and Crawford have each pitched amazingly well to date, with both pitchers posting sub-1.00 ERAs to this point.
Runs should be at a premium at Fenway Park, and winds will be blowing from 8-11 mph from right field to left field, somewhat limiting the potential of balls to the power alleys.
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