Red Sox vs. Cubs Prediction, Odds & Best Bets Today: Can Boston Win Its 11th Straight?

To extend its win streak to 11, Boston will need to overcome being a road underdog.

Mike Spector

Last Updated: July 18, 2025 11:38 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Red Sox vs. Cubs Prediction, Odds & Best Bets Today: Friday, July 18 — Pictured: Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story, who we feature in our Red Sox vs. Cubs best bet, celebrates in the dugout. Photo by Rafael Suanes via Imagn Images.

The Chicago Cubs (57-39) host the Boston Red Sox (53-45) in the first game of the second half of the MLB season, and we're right there with our Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction. First pitch from Wrigley Field in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLBN).

Was Boston's momentum halted with the All-Star break? The Red Sox enter this one on a 10-game win streak, but the best sports betting sites have them as +120 moneyline underdogs. As part of my Red Sox vs. Cubs best bets, we're backing a player who participated in the All-Star festivities.

Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction: Red Sox to win (+110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Red Sox vs. Cubs player props: Trevor Story Over 0.5 RBIs (+200 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

⚾ Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction & odds today

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📊 Live Red Sox vs. Cubs odds today

The Cubs have picked up 59% of the tickets, resulting in the line moving more toward the home team who are trading at a best price of -134 on Friday morning
The total has not moved off the opening 8.5 number, with only minor moves to the pricing

💰 Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction & best bet today

The picks below were originally published on Thursday.

✅ Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction: Red Sox to win (+110 via Caesars)

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Boston is amid its longest winning streak since 2018. While the All-Star break may have halted its momentum, I am still backing the road underdog as my Red Sox vs. Cubs prediction.

Lucas Giolito's midseason turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. Through his first seven starts, Giolito pitched to a 6.42 ERA through 33 2/3 innings, while allowing a .324 opponents' average and 1.63 WHIP. Over his last six starts, those numbers have improved remarkably to a 0.70 ERA over 38 2/3 innings, while allowing a .178 opponents' average and 0.88 WHIP.

Giolito has made six consecutive quality starts, with the Red Sox winning five. Boston is outscoring opponents 46-15 in that span, and its 27 wins against teams over .500 (tied for the third-most in the majors) are big reasons for backing its moneyline odds with my Red Sox vs. Cubs best bet.

💰 Best Red Sox vs. Cubs player props today

The picks below were originally published on Thursday.

✅ Best Red Sox vs. Cubs player prop: Trevor Story Over 0.5 RBIs (+200 via FanDuel)

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Story had a 38-game stretch from late April to early June, during which he slashed .138/.199/.193 in 157 plate appearances. But since June 7, Boston is an MLB-best 23-10, and Story’s resurgence is a big reason for that.

Since June 7, Story is slashing .336/.366/.594 in 134 plate appearances. His 58 RBIs lead all AL shortstops, and with Cubs righty Colin Rea pitching to an ERA a half-run higher at home than on the road, the Over on Story’s RBI total leads our best Red Sox vs. Cubs player props.

Story’s +200 odds that you can snag after using a FanDuel promo code is currently the best early line out there, and pays out $20 on a winning $10 wager compared to Caesars’ +190 odds (a winning $10 wager would return $19 in profits).

💡 Expert MLB predictions

❓MLB betting FAQs

How do betting odds work?

Betting odds represent the probability of a specific outcome and determine how much money you can win on a bet. There are three main formats: American odds, Decimal odds, and Fractional odds. In the U.S., American odds are most common.

What is the run line in baseball?

The run line in baseball is a form of point spread betting unique to MLB. It typically sets a standard spread of 1.5 runs, meaning the favored team must win by at least two runs to cover the run line, while the underdog can lose by one run or win outright to cover.

What does moneyline mean in betting?

The moneyline in betting refers to a wager on which team or player will win the game outright, with no point spread involved. It’s the most straightforward type of sports bet—just pick the winner.

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”