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The Boston Red Sox landed multiple haymakers against the Chicago Cubs in a 17-0 rout to even up this series on Saturday. Both lineups have stepped up in this series, and they should make this rubber match highly entertaining.
However, the men on the mound will be the key factors in this matchup, and one side has a clear edge on the bump. Which side should you be on for Sunday Night Baseball?
Let's dive into our Chicago Cubs vs. Boston Red Sox predictions and MLB betting guide to find out.
Cubs vs. Red Sox Odds
Sunday, April 28, 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| +118 |
9.5 -105o/-115u |
+1.5 -184 |
| Red Sox Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -138 |
9.5 -105o/-115u |
-1.5 +152 |
Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute MLB odds here.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubbies are quietly one of the best offensive clubs in baseball. They enter this matchup fourth in xwOBAcon and are due for some positive regression as their team xBA is nine points higher than their actual team batting average.
However, they were blanked in a 17-0 loss yesterday and will now have to contend with the Red Sox's best starter, Tanner Houck. Houck has been tremendous thus far in 2024 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.98 WHIP.
Houck's improvement in command has been crucial to his success because he generates ground balls and whiffs without driving up his pitch count.
It will be interesting to see how the Cubs fare against Houck, as they have the sixth-lowest Ground-ball Rate in baseball while also ranking 13th in Strikeout Rate.
While this is a matchup of strength against strength, the bigger edge will be in the other halves of the innings.
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Boston Red Sox
If you're a Red Sox fan or backer, you'll be hoping they saved some runs for tonight after yesterday's outburst. However, Saturday showed just what they are capable of, as this lineup has been sneaky good.
Boston enters this matchup eighth in xwOBAcon. While Rafael Devers is the name to circle in their lineup, big contributions from Wilyer Abreu, Emmanuel Valdez, and Tyler O'Neill have been the real spark.
Those four and Jarren Duran have made the top of the order formidable, and they are in line to do more damage tonight. Boston will face Hayden Wesneski first in this matchup as he'll likely be an opener for the Cubs after he appeared in relief three days ago.
Wesneski looked dominant at the beginning of 2024, but with his length in question, the pendulum swings back in favor of Boston as the Cubs bullpen has not been great.
The Cubs rank 22nd in bullpen ERA and have not shown many signs of improvement in their advanced metrics. If the Cubs have to piece this together for six or seven innings, the Red Sox will have plenty of opportunities to get on the board.
Cubs vs. Red Sox
Betting Pick & Prediction
This matchup will be a real test for Houck because the Cubs are very game and will likely be motivated after yesterday's embarrassing loss. However, the Cubs will need a lot of firepower, as their own bullpen will likely let them down here.
This game could be very competitive, but it's clear which side has the edge.
Back the Red Sox to take this series tonight on the moneyline.
Pick: Red Sox ML -127 (BetMGM)
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