Red Sox Shut Out Cubs 2-0 at Fenway Park

What we said beforehand

The Boston Red Sox will face the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park on September 25, 2026, with the Red Sox currently leading the series 1-0 following a close 4-3 victory earlier in the day. This matchup is particularly intriguing as both teams are vying for playoff positioning, with the Cubs holding an away record of 88-72 and the Red Sox at 86-74.

Recent form shows the Red Sox struggling, having lost four of their last five games. Their most recent results include a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays (5-1), a narrow defeat against the Cleveland Guardians (3-2), a win against the Guardians (1-0), and another loss to them (1-0). In contrast, the Cubs have a mixed record in their last five games, winning three and losing two, including a recent victory against the Miami Marlins (2-1). The Cubs have averaged 4.5 runs scored per game over their last ten, while the Red Sox have struggled, averaging just 2.2 runs in their last ten home games.

At home, the Red Sox have a record of 4-6 in their last ten games, while the Cubs have been slightly better on the road with a 5-5 record in their last ten away games. The Red Sox's home performance has been inconsistent, with an average of 2.2 runs scored and 2.8 runs allowed, while the Cubs have averaged 4.5 runs scored and 3.8 runs allowed in their last ten games overall.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Red Sox have faced the Cubs three times in the past season, with the Cubs winning two of those encounters. The last three meetings saw the Cubs winning decisively with scores of 6-1, 0-6, and 1-4, indicating a competitive rivalry.

Injury concerns for the Red Sox include Tanner Houck, Johan Oviedo, and Zack Kelly, all on the 60-day injured list, as well as Anthony Seigler and Masataka Yoshida on the 10-day injured list. The Cubs also face injury issues, with Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, and Tyler Austin on the 60-day injured list, and Trent Thornton on the 15-day injured list. Edward Cabrera is currently on bereavement leave, which could impact the Cubs' pitching depth.

The betting odds from DraftKings show the Cubs as favorites at -120, with a spread of 1.5 and a total set at 6.5. The over odds are -112, while the under odds are -107.

Weather conditions for the game predict a temperature of 61°F with a 77% chance of precipitation and wind gusts reaching 39 mph. These conditions could influence the gameplay, particularly for pitching and fielding.

Viewers should watch for the performance of key players, including Ceddanne Rafaela of the Red Sox, who leads the team with a batting average of .282, and Willson Contreras, who has hit 27 home runs and driven in 81 runs. For the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong stands out with a batting average of .280, 45 home runs, and 107 runs batted in. This matchup promises to be an exciting contest as both teams look to secure a crucial win as the season approaches its climax.