The Chicago Cubs travel to Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox on Friday, September 25, 2026, with first pitch set for 6:05 PM ET. David Peterson gets the ball for Chicago against Boston's Brayan Bello in a regular season contest that carries genuine weight as both clubs navigate the final days of the 2026 campaign. Cubs fans can catch the action on Marquee Sports Network and 104.3 The Score.

Starting Pitchers: David Peterson vs. Brayan Bello

Peterson draws the assignment for the Cubs in what figures to be a pivotal late-September start. The left-hander will need to navigate a Boston lineup that features some recognizable names capable of making life difficult at Fenway's cozy dimensions. Bello takes the ball for the Red Sox, a young right-hander who has shown the ability to rack up strikeouts and keep lineups off-balance.

Chicago Cubs Lineup at Fenway Park

• Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
• Seiya Suzuki, RF
• Michael Busch, 1B
• Michael Conforto, DH
• Ian Happ, LF
• Nico Hoerner, SS
• Pedro Ramírez, 2B
• Carson Kelly, C
• Matt Shaw, 3B

Boston Red Sox Lineup

• Roman Anthony, RF
• Jahmai Jones, LF
• Wilyer Abreu, DH
• Trevor Story, SS
• Nick Sogard, 1B
• Andruw Monasterio, 3B
• Jarren Duran, CF
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B
• Connor Wong, C

Keys to Watch for the Cubs

Seiya Suzuki and Michael Busch Need to Drive the Middle of the Order

With Suzuki hitting second and Busch at cleanup behind him, the Cubs need production from that pairing to put pressure on Bello early. If Chicago can get runners on base via Crow-Armstrong at the top, the middle of the order has the chance to do real damage. Fenway's Green Monster in left field is always in play for right-handed hitters like Busch.

Peterson Must Control the Strike Zone

Fenway Park is not a pitcher's paradise. Peterson will need to be precise and work ahead in counts to keep Boston's lineup from working deep into at-bats. A patient Red Sox lineup that draws walks could exploit the short dimensions in a hurry. If Peterson keeps the ball on the ground and limits free passes, the Cubs have a real shot at leaving Boston with a win.

Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner: Manufacturing Runs

Hitting fifth and sixth respectively, Happ and Hoerner represent the Cubs' ability to grind out runs in tight games. Hoerner in particular has shown a knack for contact and situational hitting that can keep innings alive. On a night where the Cubs might need to scratch and claw for every run, that duo matters.

Prediction

This is a hard game to call. Fenway gives Boston a built-in advantage, and Bello is capable of dealing when he is on. That said, the Cubs lineup is deep enough to do damage, and Peterson has the makeup to compete in a tough environment. Expect a close, low-scoring game that comes down to a few key at-bats late. Cubs pull this one out, 4-3.