The Cubs (57-39) are back from the four-day All-Star break, ready to resume their push for a National League Central championship. Before the break, Chicago took two out of three from the Yankees in New York to stay a game ahead of surging Milwaukee and match a season-high 18 games above the .500 mark. Now they begin the second half at Wrigley Field with three against a suddenly very dangerous Boston squad.
The Red Sox (53-45) have ripped off 10 consecutive victories to put themselves into prime playoff position. The offense has not missed a beat since the trade of star infielder Rafael Devers to the Giants last month, driving a .