Chicago Cubs @ Boston Red Sox – Series Preview (September 25-26): Overview, Game and Broadcast Info, Starting Pitchers, W2W4
The Cubs (88-71) dropped their series to the Marlins to wrap up their home slate for 2026, but they clinched a playoff spot with their victory on Thursday afternoon. The offense sputtered against Miami pitching, scoring just six total runs in the three-game set.
Chicago still has a chance to earn home-field advantage in the National League Wild Card if they can win one more game than the Padres this weekend. The final series of the regular season is against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in a matchup that has already been affected by the weather. A looming nor’easter has forced Sunday’s game to be moved to Friday as part of a doubleheader, and it could push the teams to Tampa for a third game.
Boston (85-74) rallied from a slow start to the season to secure the second Wild Card in the American League. They are locked into their position in the postseason, so they have nothing to play for the final three games against the Cubs.
Their strong suit is definitely on the pitching side, with a 3.55 team ERA that is third in baseball. Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez, and Payton Tolle are a three-headed monster atop the rotation, but the North Siders will likely avoid all of them this weekend.
The bullpen is even better with a 3.05 ERA that is the best in all of baseball. Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is having a throwback season with 35 saves and a 1.92 ERA. Primary setup man Garrett Whitlock has been even more impressive with a 1.72 ERA.
Offensively, Boston sits in the middle of the pack with a .718 team OPS that ranks 16th in MLB. Old friend Willson Contreras is having a huge year with 27 homers and a .905 OPS, but he is out with a hand injury. Outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela have also been dangerous hitters in the heart of the order.
Things are very much still up in the air with bad weather approaching the East Coast, so the game that is still scheduled for Saturday evening could very well be moved. No matter what happens, the Cubs are back in the playoffs and will have at least two more games after this weekend.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Game one: Friday, September 25 at 12:05pm CT on Marquee.
- Game two: Friday, September 25 at 5:05pm CT on Marquee.
- Saturday, September 26 at 6:15pm CT on Marquee.
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | FIP | K/BB |
| 9/25 | Clay Holmes | 33 | R | 3.25 | 6-8 | 3.62 | 1.92 |
| Alec Gamboa | 29 | L | 1.16 | 1-0 | 3.16 | 2.20 | |
| 9/25 | David Peterson | 31 | L | 4.96 | 9-8 | 4.03 | 2.09 |
| Brayan Bello | 28 | R | 4.49 | 3-5 | 4.00 | 2.57 | |
| 9/26 | TBA | ||||||
| TBA |
What to Watch For
- Neither team has named a starter for Saturday’s season finale.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong stole his 40th base Thursday to complete a 40/40 season.
- Holmes has given up 17 runs in his last 15.1 innings pitched.
- The Cubs are 42-36 on the road this season.
