Cubs Are MLB Betting Underdogs Against the Red Sox on Friday

We are only in late April, but arguably the most anticipated regular-season series of the year arrives on Friday night from Fenway Park when the Chicago Cubs, the favorites to repeat as NL champions, face the favorites to win the AL pennant, the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are likely to be slight baseball betting favorites for Friday’s Game 1.

Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox MLB Prediction & Betting Pick

#Cubs take two out of three in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/ajzllAp0mB

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 27, 2017

When: Friday, April 28, 7:10 PM ETWhere: Fenway Park, BostonProbable pitchers (away/home): Jake Arrieta/Drew PomeranzTV: MLB NetworkStream: MLB.tvRadio: Chicago / BostonOpening MLB Lines: TBA

Why Bet On Chicago?

The are bringing their World Series trophy with them to Fenway Park. It will be featured alongside the Red Sox’s 2004 World Series trophy in a special “curse-breaking” display during a charity event Saturday.The common denominator of those championships is Theo Epstein, who served as the general manager for the 2004 Red Sox and the president of baseball operations for the 2016 Cubs.One of the biggest reasons the Cubs won that World Series was signing ace pitcher Jon Lester from the Red Sox a few offseasons ago. Lester, who won two World Series with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013, won’t have to face a Boston lineup that leads the American League with a .278 batting average. OnlyDustin Pedroia (whom Lester contacted shortly after signing with the Cubs in December 2014) and Xander Bogaerts remain in Boston from that 2013 team.Manager Joe Maddon is considering using Kyle Schwarber as a designated hitter for the interleague games in Boston this weekend. Schwarber isn’t a great fielder. The Cubs likely would use Ben Zobrist in left and Javy Baez at second.It’s Jake Arrieta on the mound. Arrieta allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits while striking out eight across six innings to earn the win last Saturday against the Reds. Despite giving up a pair of first-inning homers, Arrieta settled down nicely while the Cubs bats came out in a big way to help him pick up his third victory of the season. Although he’s given up at least three runs in each of his last three outings, he has a solid 3.65 ERA to go with 29 strikeouts on the season.Arrieta is 1-3 with a 4.66 ERA against Boston, and hasn’t faced them since June 30, 2014, when he flirted with a no-hitter and gave up one hit over 7 2/3 innings.

Why Bet On Boston?

Will the Sox have Pedroia in the lineup Friday? Pedroia hasn’t played since injuring his knee and ankle last Friday on a hard slide by Manny Machado, but the veteran second baseman had a clean exam Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital. He’s likely to play barring a setback.Reliever Matt Barnes has dropped his appeal and began serving his four-game suspension on Wednesday. Barnes was banned for throwing at Manny Machado as retaliation for his hard slide on Dustin Pedroia last weekend. He’ll be eligible to return Sunday against the Cubs. In his absence, Heath Hembree will handle setup work ahead of Craig Kimbrel.The Sox made some infield move this week. They placed 3B Pablo Sandoval on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to April 24, with a right knee sprain. Sandoval suffered the injury while making a play at third base on Sunday. Results of an MRI on Monday aren’t yet known. Josh Rutledge will replace the injured Sandoval on the active roster and figures to share playing time at third base.Lefty Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 4.60) is scheduled to start on the mound. Pomeranz allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings to take the loss last Friday against the Orioles.Although Pomeranz performed admirably on the road at Camden Yards, he wasn’t given a single run of support, resulting in his first loss of the season. He’s now pitched well in two of his three starts. Unable to go deep into games so far this season, he’s tossed just six innings once. Pomeranz threw six shutout innings vs. the Cubs last year while with San Diego.

Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox MLB Betting Pick: Chicago Cubs

Having the DH allows the Cubs to have their best possible lineup on the field.