On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Red Sox Series Preview

Perhaps this won’t be the only time these teams will meet in 2017. Both are serious postseason contenders. Given Theo Epstein’s history with both the Cubs and Red Sox, a World Series matchup between the two clubs would be epic.

In the meantime, the Cubs’ first interleague series of 2017 should be interesting. I asked Matt Collins, manager of our SB Nation Red Sox site Over The Monster, to tell us a bit about his team.

The Red Sox were supposed to be the prohibitive favorite in the American League East this year, with a talented roster that is loaded with players whose careers should be on the upswing.

With the addition of Chris Sale to Rick Porcello and David Price, they also had an elite top-of-the-rotation to go along with their loaded lineup. Things haven’t worked out quite according to plan thus far. The offense is hitting for zero power in the early part of the season, hitting fewer home runs than any other team in baseball. Outside of Sale, the rotation has been inconsistent and hasn’t been able to make up for the punchless offense.

Things should turn around eventually, as there is still too much talent to continue hitting like this. The upcoming Cubs series might not be where it starts, though, as Chicago will be able to avoid both of Boston’s top pitchers in Sale and Porcello. In other words, the Cubs are catching the Red Sox at exactly the right time.

Fun fact

The Cubs have played two previous series in Fenway Park. The Cubs won four of the six games, including a three-game sweep in 2014 that included Jake Arrieta taking a perfect game into the eighth inning June 30, 2014.

Pitching matchups

Friday: Jake Arrieta (3-0, 3.65 ERA, 1.014 WHIP, 3.99 FIP) vs. Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 4.60 ERA, 1.213 WHIP, 3.87 FIP)

Saturday: John Lackey (1-3, 4.88 ERA, 1.292 WHIP, 4.52 FIP) vs. Steven Wright (1-2, 8.66 ERA, 2.094 WHIP, 8.13 FIP)

Sunday: Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 4.50 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 5.11 FIP) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1, 3.12 ERA, 1.269 WHIP, 4.76 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 6:10 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago Plus, MLB Network (outside Chicago and Boston markets)

Saturday: 3:05 p.m. CT, ABC7 Chicago, FS1 (no blackouts)

Sunday: 7:05 p.m. CT, ESPN

Prediction

With the Cubs missing Sale and Porcello, the pitching matchups should be mostly favorable. I’ll call once again for meatloaf, the Cubs winning two of three. That would make for an excellent 6-3 road trip.

Up next

The Cubs return to Wrigley for a four-game series against the Phillies beginning Monday evening.