The Chicago Cubs conclude their first trip to Fenway Park in 93 years tonight when they close out a three-game set with the Boston Red Sox.
The Cubs will send James Russel (0-4) to the mound tonight, while the Red Sox will go with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (0-1, 5.40). Russel fills in for Matt Garza who was scratched with stiffness in his elbow. Russel threw 3 shutout innings in a relief effort Friday, and now faces that same Red Sox team. Wakefield's last scheduled start was rained out, so his last appearance was out of the bullpen versus Toronto when he pitched 1 1-3 shut innings.
View Chi Cubs vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
Boston opened as -139 moneyline favorites in this baseball match, based on the starting pitcher matchup. That pairing made odds makers settle on an Sportsbook over under number of 9.
Power Rankings:
It's a baseball betting matchup between the American League No. 11-rated Red Sox and the league No. 10-ranked Cubs, according to the latest MLB power poll here at Odds Shark.
How They Match Up:
At the plate, Boston owns the No. 2 ranking for hits in the American League at 9.1 per game. By contrast, the Cubs are rated No. 1 in the same category at 9.7 per game.
Defensively, Chicago features the National League's No. 15-rated defense on the road, allowing 5.4 runs per game. Boston, meanwhile, comes in at No. 3 in the American League at home, scoring 5 runs per game.
Chicago was a 9-3 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Red Sox. They won as +150 underdogs, while the total score of 12 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors. Chicago looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Red Sox, a 9-3 final on Saturday in support of Carlos Zambrano at Fenway Park.
Chicago Cubs Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing NY Mets are 5-5
After playing Boston are 2-2
After a win are 3-7
Boston Red Sox Trends:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing Chi Cubs are 2-2
After a loss are 5-5
A few Cubs at Red Sox trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs' last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs' last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs' last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Next up:
Chi Cubs home to NY Mets, Tuesday, May 24
Boston at Cleveland, Monday, May 23
