The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs will play on Friday night at Wrigley Field. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. CT.
Boston (48-43 SU and 48-43 RL) is starting right-hander Brayan Bello. The 24-year-old is 6-5 with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 14 outings this season.
Chicago (42-47 SU and 46-43 RL) is starting righty Kyle Hendricks. The 33-year-old is 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP in his nine outings.
The Red Sox are -120 moneyline favorites and the game total is nine runs scored.
The Red Sox rode a hot streak into the break, winning five straight games and eight of their last ten overall. Despite being five games over .500, they're still last in the AL East.
Boston averages 4.96 runs (7th) and hits .263 (4th) with a .760 OPS (6th). It's hit 94 home runs (22nd) and stolen 61 bases (18th) this season. The Red Sox pitching staff has compiled a 4.33 ERA (17th) and a 1.30 WHIP (18th) with 27 quality starts.
Kenley's first batter faced: K pic.twitter.com/tvwQSrIC2d
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 12, 2023
Bello will take the hill for the visitors in game one of the three-game series. The second-year pro beat the Rangers in his last start, holding them to two runs in seven innings. He has surrendered two or less runs in his last five outings and hasn't allowed more than three runs since his first start of the season.