The Red Sox's 10-game win streak ends in a 4-1 loss to the Cubs on July 18, 2025, as Lucas Giolito falters and Seiya Suzuki homers. Read how the Sox stumbled.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, all good things must come to an end. The Boston Red Sox's exhilarating 10-game winning streak was snapped Friday night at the friendly but unforgiving confines of Wrigley Field, as the Chicago Cubs handed them a 4-1 loss to kick off the second half of the season. A first-inning blast from Seiya Suzuki off a rusty Lucas Giolito proved to be the difference, reminding everyone that the road to October is long and full of challenges.
The Red Sox left eight runners on base in a 4-1 loss, snapping a 10-game winning streak that had vaulted them up the AL East standings.
The buzz from the 10-game heater faded fast. Lucas Giolito, making his first start since before the All-Star break, looked out of sync from the jump. Seiya Suzuki ambushed him for a three-run homer in the first, and the Sox were playing catch-up all night. Giolito ultimately settled down a bit but took his first loss since early May, finishing with four earned runs over 5 1/3 innings. The offense, which had been on fire, couldn't find the big hit, stranding eight runners and suffering from a costly baserunning blunder by Abraham Toro. It was a frustrating start to a tough six-game road trip.
If you're looking for a silver lining, look no further than Roman Anthony. The club's top prospect continues to look like he belongs, hitting second in the lineup and driving in Boston's only run with a sharp two-out double in the third. While the veterans struggled to get anything going, Anthony was a picture of calm and production. He's rapidly approaching graduation from prospect status, and his bat is becoming an essential part of this offense. Watching him develop in the second half will be a primary storyline, regardless of the team's day-to-day results.
A loss like this serves as a stark reminder of the team's needs as the trade deadline approaches. While the win streak was incredible, the front office knows this rotation needs another impact arm to slot in behind Garrett Crochet. The offense could also use a more stable presence at first base following Triston Casas's season-ending injury. This is where the rumors start to fly. Jarren Duran's name continues to pop up in trade talks, as his blend of speed and power is coveted around the league. Would the Sox dare move a key piece of their outfield to acquire the pitching they so desperately need?
Any major trade will be fueled by the organization's strong farm system. While Marcelo Mayer has now graduated to the big leagues, the pipeline is still impressive. Roman Anthony is the crown jewel, but with guys like Franklin Arias and Jhostynxon Garcia behind him, and new first-round pick Witherspoon cracking the top 10, the Red Sox have the assets to make a significant move. The question for the front office is how much of the future they're willing to part with for a chance to win now. The system's rankings might take a hit, but a deep playoff run could be the reward.
One loss doesn't erase a 10-game win streak, but it does ground the team and the fanbase in reality. The Red Sox are contenders, but they're not perfect. How they bounce back in the rest of this series against the Cubs, and how the front office addresses the team's clear needs over the next couple of weeks, will define the rest of this 2025 season. Buckle up, the second half is just getting started.
