MLB is back with a full odds board Friday!
The first game of baseball’s second half is Red Sox vs. Cubs at Wrigley Field, and we’re using our high-level PRO resources to lock in multiple betting prediction for the series opener.
Friday’s sharpest bets from our premium tools are the over/under and an additional player prop bet. Below, we’ll cover both data-driven model picks.
Here are a couple savvy ways to bet MLB Friday afternoon when the Red Sox take on the Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET.
Red Sox vs Cubs Odds: Data-Driven MLB Predictions for 7/18
Lucas Giolito and Collin Rea are the tabbed starting pitchers for today’s clash at the friendly confines.
The Cubs are home favorites, with an over/under of 7.5.
Our first MLB pick for Friday’s Red Sox vs. Cubs game is the under on total runs, leveraging our PRO Systems. Notably, this matchup fits perfectly within our “Wrigley Unders” system, which exclusively targets Cubs home games under the total.
This system highlights how wind direction at Wrigley Field significantly influences scoring. When the wind blows in or across the field and the total opens between 8 and 13 runs, unders become highly-valuable bets. Today’s odds and weather fit the model perfectly.
Sharps and MLB experts are also strongly backing the under in this game, confirming the system’s reliability.
Additionally, our PRO Projections have Jarren Duran, Red Sox outfielder, expected to record just 0.27 RBIs today. With odds around -235 (best at BetMGM), betting on Duran to not record an RBI is a smart play.
This pick is strongly correlated with our under total runs wager, marking a strong opportunity for bettors.
PRO Systems Pick: Red Sox vs. Cubs Under 7.5
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PRO Projections Pick: Jarren Duran No RBI
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Our PRO signals flag far more great picks than our staff could author each day — that’s where Action AI comes in. Using generative AI, signals that hit a high grade threshold are written up into articles that are then vetted and edited by a human to help us get you all the sharp action. Read more about how it works here.