Chicago Cubs vs
Philadelphia PhilliesPredictions & Preview

Phillies Favored to Dominate Cubs in First Game of Three-Game Series

On Monday evening, the Chicago Cubs (79-76, 2nd in NL Central) are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies (92-63, 1st in NL East) at Citizens Bank Park for the first game of their three-game series. Although the starting pitchers have yet to be announced, the Phillies have historically performed well against the Cubs, winning two of three games in their last series earlier this season. The game is scheduled for 6:40 PM Eastern time. Nate Pearson is slated to start for the Cubs with an ERA of 4.71, while Aaron Nola will take the mound for the Phillies with an ERA of 3.58. Philadelphia is currently favored to win with a betting line opening at -176 and the current line at -170.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs +155 | Phillies -170
• Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-135) | Phillies -1.5 (+118)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Philadelphia will win straight-up is 63%.

Chicago vs Philadelphia Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have recently struggled, losing three of their last five games including a 5-1 defeat to the Washington Nationals. Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks took the loss, giving up four earned runs over 5.1 innings. The bullpen allowed an additional run. Designated hitter Pete Wishdom hit his eighth home run of the season. The Washington pitching staff struck out nine Chicago batters. Hendricks reflected on possibly his final home start at Wrigley Field, expressing a desire to improve in the offseason. Third baseman Isaac Paredes is day-to-day with an injury. According to power rankings, Chicago is ranked 13th in offense, 12th in defense, and has a record of 80-76 this season.

Philadelphia Phillies Analysis

The Philadelphia Phillies have faced recent setbacks, losing three of their last four games, including a 6-3 defeat to the Mets where starter Ranger Suarez pitched well but reliever Orion Kerkering struggled. Despite the losses, the offense has been strong, scoring six runs or more in two of their last three games. Suarez mentioned making adjustments to increase his fastball velocity. Left fielder Augstin Hays remains on the IL. The Phillies are ranked 12th in power ranking, have the 4th best offense, 9th best defense, and an overall record of 92-64. Chicago won 2 out of 3 matchups against Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Phillies Dominate Chicago Cubs in Recent Matchups

The Philadelphia Phillies have demonstrated impressive performance against the Chicago Cubs in their recent matchups, securing victories in seven out of their past eight games, including two consecutive wins at home. Philadelphia's pitching staff has achieved a commendable 6-1 record against Chicago, with a 3.48 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in their previous seven encounters. The Phillies have showcased exceptional strength while playing at home, triumphing in five consecutive series and sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month. With a 66.7% winning percentage in front of their home crowd in 2024, the Phillies have established themselves as formidable opponents. On the other hand, the Cubs have faced challenges on the road, losing over half of their games and failing to secure victory in their last two series away from home. The Phillies hold a significant offensive advantage in this matchup, ranking fourth in the league in batting average compared to the Cubs' middle-of-the-pack position. Analyzing the statistics and trends, it is evident that the Philadelphia Phillies are poised for success in the series' first game at home. A prudent decision would be to take the Phillies with the run line.

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