The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are set to play the most anticipated series of interleague play’s opening weekend with the first game of a weekend series Friday night at Fenway Park

Chicago Cubs at Boston Red Sox

Chicago heads back to Fenway Park for the first time since facing Boston ace Babe Ruth nearly a century ago.  “Everyone I know on the face of the earth is going to be there,” said Cubs manager Mike Quade.  “It will be a fun weekend for all of us.”  It’s been 93 years since the Red Sox beat the Cubs in the 1918 World Series, which sets the stage for a magical weekend.  The Cubs should be even more excited about kicking off interleague play this weekend by picking up their first series sweep of 2011 after beating the Marlins, 5-1, at Sun Life Stadium last night.  Closer Carlos Marmol could be the difference in this series if given the opportunity, as he has not allowed a run in his lst 22 2/3 innings away from Wrigley Field.  Chicago is 5-13 this season after a win.

Cubs starting pitcher Doug Davis will be making his second career start for the club, coming off a 3-0 rain-shortened setback to the Giants May 14.  The left-hander allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits while fanning six in five innings of work.  Davis signed a minor league contract with Chicago on April 11, making two appearances and producing a 1-0 record and 1.74 ERA before getting called up.  In seven career games (six starts) versus the Red Sox, he has registered a 3-2 mark and 3.79 ERA, including a 1-1 record and 3.52 ERA in three starts at Fenway Park.

Boston captured its sixth straight win with a 4-3 victory over the Tigers on Thursday night and outfielder Carl Crawford was the star of the show.  He is hitting just .212 on the season, but ended the game in the bottom of the ninth with a one-out single over the head of a drawn-in outfield.  “It’s always nice to come through in those situations,” Crawford commented.  “I’ve been struggling, so whenever I get a chance to do something good like that, it feels good.”  The Red Sox are hitting .275 at home this season and own a .355 home on-base percentage, both second in the American League in those particular categories.  Boston will now look to duplicate its interleague success from last year, leading the Major Leagues with 109 runs scored and posting a 13-5 record.

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester has compiled a 5-1 record and 3.28 ERA in nine starts this season and was credited with his fifth straight winning decision on the road against the Yankees last time out.  He allowed four runs on five hits and issued four walks over six innings in that particular outing.  The left-hander has registered a 2-1 mark and 2.25 ERA in three home appearances, giving up just a single home run in 20 frames.  Lester will be making his first career starts versus the Cubs.

Bettors will likely back the Red Sox due ot their 46-13 record during interleague home games, while the Cubs are 1-5 versus the American League East