Boston Red Sox vs Chicago Predictions July 16, 2023: Kutter Crawford vs Justin Steele
The over/under is currently set at
Game outlook
The over/under is currently set at 8.5.
"Chicago Cubs Look to Make Noise in Second Half of Season with Ace Steele on the Mound"
Seventy games into the 2023 season, the Chicago Cubs trail the division leader in the National League Central by seven games. The Cubs have averaged 4.59 runs per game, the twelfth best in the league. They have hit .247, the eighteenth best, and own a .722 OPS (seventeenth). They have hit 98 home runs (twentieth) and stolen 68 bases (thirteenth). The Cubs pitching staff boasts a 4.04 ERA (twelfth) and have 40 quality starts (sixteenth). As the second half of the season starts, the Cubs will look to cut into the seven-game gap. With the ace of their staff coming off the break, the team looks to get to work in hopes for a successful second half of the season. Sunday afternoon, southpaw, Steele will take the mound at Wrigley Field as the Cubs hope to make some noise in the coming weeks.
Boston Red Sox Highlights
The Boston Red Sox are currently 9-1 in their last ten games after a victorious Friday night in Chicago. This victory lifted them out of last place and gives them hope for 2023. The offense is proving to be effective with a .265 batting average (3rd) and a .765 OPS (6th). Home runs and stolen bases are also at significant figures with 100 long balls (19th) and 62 stolen bases (18th) this season. Moreover, the pitching staff has done well with a 4.31 ERA (17th) and a 1.30 WHIP (19th). The Red Sox have a power ranking of 11 and are 7th in offense with an average score of 4.96 per game, 19th in defense with an average of 4.66 points being scored against them per game and have a record of 87-75. On Sunday, Crawford will take the mound, who has recorded 58 strikeouts and 13 walks in seven consecutive starts since April-May.