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Cubs return to Fenway for the first time since 1918

May 20, 2011 - 2:51 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox used to think they were cursed by Babe Ruth after selling the legendary ballplayer in 1920. Not long before that, "The Bambino" was breaking the hearts of the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs will make their first trip to Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series as they kick off this highly-anticipated three-game interleague series with the Red Sox on Friday night.

It has been nearly a century since the Cubs organization paid a visit to the historic grounds of Fenway Park. The last time they did, with World War I raging in the background, the Red Sox defeated the Cubs in six games to win the World Series, their fifth since 1903. Ruth was the winning pitcher for Boston in two of those games, while Chicago's top hurler, Hippo Vaughn, was 1-2 despite a 1.00 earned run average.

Of course, Ruth's tenure in Beantown didn't last much longer and the Red Sox didn't win another World Series title until finally shaking the "Curse of the Bambino" in 2004.

The Cubs, meanwhile, still haven't won World Series since 1908.

These two clubs last met in 2005, with the Cubs winning two of three from the Red Sox at equally-historic Wrigley Field, and members of the Chicago roster will now soak in a rare trip to the league's oldest ballpark, which has housed the Red Sox since 1912.

Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd got a chance to make some regular visits to Boston while playing with the Rangers from 2007-09 and has always enjoyed the trip.

"I loved playing at Fenway," Byrd told Chicago's website. "It's hard to explain -- 'Sweet Caroline,' it's packed all the time. You have to go in there ready, mentally and physically. It's draining, mentally and physically -- long games, they have a great team, great pitchers, just top to bottom.

"There's a history there -- the same as Wrigley, but it's just different," he said. "The first time I played there, it was a little shocking. The first time, I was looking at the fans, and seeing Manny Ramirez and all those guys, and now I go there and it's time to beat the Red Sox."

Drawing the start for the Cubs for this big game is southpaw Doug Davis, who made his Chicago and season debut on Saturday in his first start since July 9 with the Brewers due to injury. Davis took the loss in his return, getting charged with three runs -- one earned -- on four hits over five innings with six strikeouts in a 3-0 rain-soaked setback.

"It's great to get back out there and compete, that's for sure," Davis told the Cubs' website. "Being a lefty, they say you have nine lives. I feel like I'm at about five or six right now. I just feel lucky I have the opportunity to go out there and prove my worth."

The 35-year-old Davis is 3-2 with a 3.79 earned run average in seven career games versus the Red Sox, all but one of those starts, and is 7-10 with a 4.24 ERA in his career in interleague play.

While Davis has a mark below .500 during interleague play, Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester has thrived when facing the National League. He is 7-2 with a 2.66 ERA in 13 interleague starts, striking out 77 over 81 1/3 innings, though he faces the Cubs for the first time.

Lester hasn't lost since April 12 and picked up his fifth straight winning decision on Sunday versus the Yankees. The 27-year-old gave up four runs on five hits and four walks over six innings, striking out seven and improving to 5-1 with a 3.28 ERA in nine starts this season.

Lester's victory got the Red Sox to .500 (20-20) for the first time this season and is part of the club's current six-game winning streak, a season high that has pushed the club three games over the even mark.

Boston extended its run with a 4-3 victory over the Tigers on Thursday as Carl Crawford posted his third walk-off hit of the month when his bases-loaded single to center scored pinch-runner Darnell McDonald.

"It's always nice to come through in those situations," Crawford said. "Whenever I get a chance to do something good like that, it definitely feels good."

The victory did not come without some concern as starter Josh Beckett was pulled by manager Terry Francona after six innings due to a stiff neck. Boston's rotation is already minus injured starters John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

David Ortiz had three hits, one a homer for the Red Sox, who added to their bullpen on Thursday by acquiring lefty Franklin Morales from the Rockies for a player to be named later. Morales is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 games this season.

The Cubs come to town looking to win three in a row for the first time this season after sweeping their two-game set with the Marlins. Byrd connected on a two-run homer and Starlin Castro drove in two runs for Chicago, which had lost three in a row before the series.

Boston went 13-5 in interleague play last season, while Chicago was 8-10 versus the AL.