The Boston Red Sox host the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park on Friday, September 25, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM ET. Brayan Bello gets the ball for Boston against Chicago's David Peterson in what shapes up as a compelling interleague matchup during the final stretch of the regular season. With September winding down, every game carries weight in the standings, and Fenway will be rocking for a Cubs team that brings a legitimate lineup to Yawkey Way.

Pitching Matchup: Brayan Bello vs. David Peterson

Bello has been one of the cornerstones of this Boston rotation, and Friday is his chance to deliver a quality start when the Sox need it most. The right-hander has shown the ability to rack up strikeouts and generate weak contact, and pitching at Fenway in front of a home crowd tends to bring out the best in him. Peterson counters for Chicago — a crafty left-hander who relies on mixing his pitches and keeping hitters off-balance. Neither pitcher's current season stats were available at press time, so what matters is execution on the night.

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

Chicago Cubs Lineup

• 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

Keys to Watch

Roman Anthony Sets the Tone at the Top

The Red Sox are rolling with Roman Anthony leading off, and the young outfielder has the tools to make Peterson work early. If Anthony can get on base and force the Cubs starter to throw pitches in the first inning, it opens the door for the rest of this lineup to do damage. Fenway rewards patient, disciplined at-bats, and Anthony needs to bring that approach from pitch one.

Boston's Middle of the Order Needs to Produce

Wilyer Abreu sliding into the three-hole and Trevor Story batting cleanup gives Boston legitimate run-producing upside in the middle of the lineup. Story has the power to punish a mistake over the Green Monster, and Abreu has shown he can handle a run-producing role. If this pair clicks against Peterson, the Sox should have plenty of opportunities to put numbers on the board.

Contain Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki

Chicago's top two — Crow-Armstrong and Suzuki — are dangerous table-setters who can ignite a rally in a hurry. Bello needs to keep both of them from getting comfortable, particularly Suzuki, who has the bat speed to exploit any fastball left over the plate. Crow-Armstrong's speed in center is a factor too; keep him off the bases and the Cubs' offense loses a significant weapon.

Bullpen Management Down the Stretch

Late September means the Sox need their bullpen arms sharp and ready. How long Boston rides Bello and who manager Alex Cora turns to in high-leverage situations will be telling. Protecting a lead at Fenway late is a different animal than doing it on the road.

Prediction

This is a winnable game for Boston at home. Bello has the stuff to neutralize a lineup that, while solid through the middle, is beatable. The Red Sox offense should find enough gaps against Peterson to push across three or four runs, and if Bello can go six strong, the bullpen can close it out. Red Sox 4, Cubs 2.

Catch the action on NESN or listen on 104.3 The Score and WEEI 93.7. Spanish-language coverage is available on WCCM 1490 AM and WESX 1230 AM.