Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago Cubs
The Sox come into play supporting an overall record of 50-43. Despite being seven games over the .500 mark, Boston ranks last in the AL East as they trail the Rays by eight games.
The best chance for the Sox to make the playoffs would be via the wildcard as they trail the final wildcard spot by 1.5 games.
Boston entered the season with reasonably low expectations, as they were not projected to be a playoff team.
Their offense has stepped up this season as they rank 7th in baseball in runs per game, averaging 4.96.
Their bats have been red hot as of late, as the Sox have averaged 7.8 runs per game over their last five games.
Rafel Devers is the star of this Boston lineup, as before this season, Devers was an all-star in back-to-back seasons.
The power has been there for Devers this year, as he has a team-best twenty home runs at the break.
Masataka Yoshida leads the team in batting average, representing an average of .316.
Yoshida was a significant signing in the off-season, and Boston could not be happier with the production that they have gotten thus far.
Alex Verdugo is having the best year of his career as he is batting .290 on the year with an OBP of .360.
The pitching for Boston has been up and down, as they rank 17th in runs allowed per game (4.33 ERA).
The star of this Sox rotation has been the man they call Big Maple. James Paxton is having the best year of his career, pitching to the tune of a 2.73 ERA.
Paxton has lost just one start this season and will look to continue his success against the Cubs on Saturday afternoon.
Chicago will begin Saturday playing to the tune of a 42-49 record.
Despite the poor record, the Cubs have a run differential of +16 on the season. They have also played better than their record indicates, as their expected record for the year is 47-44.
The Chicago offense has produced reasonably high this season as they rank 12th in baseball, putting up 4.61 runs per game.
The star of this Cubs offense has been second baseman Nico Hoerner. Hoerner ranks first on the team in batting average (.271), runs batted in (45), and stolen bases (20).
Christopher Morel is a young player that Chicago is high on as he leads the Cubs in home runs with fifteen.
The pitching for the Cubs has been above average this year, as they rank 12th in baseball with a team ERA of 3.96.
The star of the staff has been former Duke standout Marcus Stroman. Stroman leads the team in wins (9) and strikeouts (98).
Pick: Chicago Cubs F5 ML -112 (Draft Kings)
Despite their recent run of good play, Boston is one of the worst first-five teams in baseball this season, and they are 42-48 straight up in the first five innings.
Chicago, meanwhile, is 45-43 entering play in first five situations.
Marcus Stroman has been outstanding at home this season, pitching to the tune of a 2.81 ERA.
Opponents are batting just .169 vs. Stroman this year at Wrigley Field.
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As a team, the Cubs hit left-handed pitching better as they rank 9th in baseball vs SouthPaws.
Boston, meanwhile, has drastic splits from a batting average standpoint.
The Sox rank second in baseball, hitting at home with a team average of .290 compared to the road, where they rank 19th, hitting just .237.
I will trust the numbers and the line in this game.
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