Red Sox Stumble Against Cubs to Open Second Half of Season
By Kaley Brown
July 18, 2025 | 6:42 PM
The Boston Red Sox’s impressive momentum heading into the All-Star break hit a snag as they fell 4-1 to the Chicago Cubs in their first game of the second half of the season, signaling the end of a remarkable 10-game winning streak.
The matchup at Wrigley Field showcased a pivotal first inning where Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito struggled, allowing two walks before Seiya Suzuki launched a three-run homer that set the tone for Chicago. Giolito, expressing disappointment, acknowledged his need to be "a tone-setter," admitting, "I didn’t do that. I came out of the gate not locked in enough."
While Giolito settled down to strike out six batters and limit the Cubs to one more run, the Red Sox offense, despite out-hitting Chicago 7 to 6 and drawing four walks, couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities, leaving eight runners stranded.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora remarked on the missed chances, stating, “We put pressure on them, [but] not enough.” Rookie Roman Anthony provided the team’s only run with an RBI double, extending his hit streak to 10 games. He now boasts a .266 batting average with 32 games played in the majors.
In a positive note for the Red Sox, teammate Ceddanne Rafaela also extended his hit streak to 11 games with a seventh-inning single. The team will aim to bounce back against the Cubs with Brayan Bello taking the mound for the second game of the series, scheduled for 7:15 PM ET on Saturday.
As the Red Sox navigate through this season’s challenges, fans remain hopeful for a resurgence similar to their recent success.
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