The Seattle Mariners are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs in a crucial interleague matchup this Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The Mariners, currently holding a record of 37-36, are coming off a recent 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox, marking their second loss in three games. On the other hand, the Cubs boast a strong record of 45-29, recently falling 8-7 to the Milwaukee Brewers but winning three of their last four games.
The game is slated for a 2:20 p.m. ET start, with the Cubs favored at -147 on the money line, signifying they are expected to win. The over/under for total runs is set at 9.5. Historical trends show Chicago has dominated the recent meetings, winning eight of the last ten encounters against Seattle.
Fans and bettors are looking toward the performance of the pitchers. The Cubs will send left-hander Matthew Boyd (6-3, 2.79 ERA) to the mound, who has been exceptionally effective in June, giving up only four earned runs over his last 19.1 innings. He last secured a win against the Pirates, allowing just one earned run over six innings.
For the Mariners, right-hander George Kirby (1-3, 5.96 ERA) will start. He is coming off a competitive outing in a 4-3 win against the Guardians, where he pitched five innings and recorded five strikeouts. Kirby has shown flashes of brilliance, including a standout performance against the Angels with 14 strikeouts.
On the offensive side, the Mariners’ catcher Cal Raleigh is in fine form, hitting .266 with 27 home runs and 60 RBIs this season. He has been a consistent contributor to the team and was instrumental in their recent 8-0 victory over the Red Sox.
As both teams prepare for this showdown, the prospects of an exciting and closely contested game are high. The Cubs’ recent home advantage and strong lineup make them favorites, but the Mariners’ potential for explosive plays keeps them as a competitive foe. Baseball fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this game unfolds and which team will emerge victorious.