MLB

Red Sox vs Cubs

Windy City hosts a Wrigley Friday tilt worth riding

Boston Red Sox

Red Sox (53-45) VS Cubs (57-39)

Jul 18 2025 | 2:20 PM ET | Wrigley Field, Chicago

Chicago Cubs
Moneyline Pick - Chicago Cubs (-140): A

Chicago’s recent stumble feels more like a brief regression than a cause for concern as they return home, where they’ve consistently performed well. Their strong record at Wrigley Field underscores their comfort in familiar surroundings, and the pitching staff has continued to thrive in front of home crowds. On the other side, Boston enters this matchup still struggling to find offensive consistency, leaning on a few hot bats while lacking overall depth. Defensively, Boston’s road numbers leave room for improvement, particularly in the starting rotation, where recent outings have been shaky. With the Cubs continuing to benefit from bullpen stability and a favorable matchup against a right-handed starter who’s been hit hard on the road, the metrics point to a solid opportunity for the home team.

It’s always tough to back a team coming off a couple of losses, but this feels like the right spot for a bounce back. Between the friendly confines of Wrigley and a favorable pitching matchup, this pick carries more upside than risk. Boston just hasn’t traveled particularly well, and when you pair that with Chicago’s home-field momentum, the prediction to bet the Cubs makes a lot of sense here. The price isn’t overly steep either, which adds to the appeal.

This prediction gets an A grade. Odds and availability subject to change. Follow Shurzy on Instagram and Tiktok for more expert picks.

This bet was made on 18/07/2025 at 9:30am

Over/Under Pick - Over 8.5, (-105): Grade A

With playoff implications beginning to tighten, both Boston and Chicago arrive at Wrigley Field with reasons to keep the bats hot. Chicago's pitching staff is without a key bullpen piece, and their starter has historically struggled against this opponent, creating a potential soft spot for Boston’s offense to exploit. Meanwhile, the Cubs’ own lineup remains potent, especially at home and particularly against right-handed pitching. A projected double-digit wind gust blowing out adds another layer of offensive potential. Both teams currently rank in the top 10 for OPS in July, suggesting that recent form supports a higher-scoring affair. And with this being a midweek afternoon tilt, the likelihood of high-leverage bullpen arms being saved for later series games increases the chances of runs late.

You don’t need a crystal ball to see where this is headed—when two hot-hitting teams meet in a hitter-friendly park with wind blowing out, betting the Over becomes more than just a hunch. Add in the fact that it’s a weekday game and neither side is likely to manage their bullpen like it’s October, and you’ve got a recipe for some scoreboard fireworks. This pick feels timely, well-priced, and supported by both trends and environment. So yes, the prediction is to bet the Over here.

This prediction gets an A grade. Odds and availability subject to change. Follow Shurzy on Instagram and Tiktok for more expert picks.

This bet was made on 18/07/2025 at 9:30am

Spread Pick - Chicago Cubs, -1.5 (-158): B

Chicago enters this afternoon matchup with momentum and the situational edges to support a run line bet. The Cubs have been thriving at Wrigley in daytime games and benefit from roster stability, especially on the pitching side with a well-rested bullpen and solid rotation depth. Boston, in contrast, continues to battle key absences, which have impacted both their lineup production and late-inning reliability. The visiting team has also struggled to capitalize in road environments, while Chicago’s mix of power and patience at the plate plays especially well at home. Combine that with favorable historical metrics against the opposing starter, and the conditions point to a confident prediction for a home cover.

This pick isn't just about recent form—it's about matchup dynamics and ballpark tendencies. The Cubs have been consistently sharp in matinees and bring just enough offensive firepower to make the ‑1.5 run line bet appealing. With Boston leaning on a stretched pitching staff and lacking key late-game arms, Chicago is well-positioned to pull away late. This isn't a flashy pick, but it's the kind that often cashes if you're backing a complete team playing to its strengths in the right spot.

This prediction gets a B grade. Odds and availability subject to change. Follow Shurzy on Instagram and Tiktok for more expert picks.

This bet was made on 18/07/2025 at 9:31am

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