The Chicago Cubs will be squaring off against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. This NL showdown will get going at 7:05 p.m. ET and fans hoping to watch it can tune in to NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies Odds
Vegas has listed Chicago (-130) as the favorite over Philadelphia (+120). Bettors can gamble on the game’s total with odds listed at -115 for over 8.5 runs and -105 for under 8.5. The game’s runline odds stand at +115 for taking the Cubs -1.5 runs and -135 for the Phillies +1.5 runs.
The Cubs have gone 79-55 SU this year and are 67-66 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 4.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 0.7 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven. The Phillies, on the other hand, are 72-62 SU and 66-67 ATS. They’ve gained 6.8 units for moneyline bettors while earning 9.7 units ATS. Philadelphia has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Philadelphia games have a 59-69-5 over/under record in 2018. Chicago has also been a decent under bet with a total record of 59-71-3.
Kyle Hendricks will get the start for the visiting Cubs. The right-handed Hendricks is 10-10 with a 3.86 ERA and 131 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with five strikeouts and a 9.00 ERA against Philadelphia this year.
The Phillies are turning to righty Zach Eflin (9-5, 3.99 ERA), who has 98 strikeouts and 26 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.25. Eflin is 1-0 with two strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA in one start against Chicago this year.
Chicago’s pitchers have allowed 4.0 runs per game and its starters own a 4.00 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.65 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 3.23, along with a K-per-9 of 8.63.
The Cubs offense has slashed .263/.342/.420 on its way to 4.8 runs scored per game this year, including 5.5 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Chicago’s hitters have been paced by second baseman Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who’ve collectively swatted 51 home runs. Baez is hitting .295/.328/.572 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, 82 runs and 21 stolen bases. Rizzo has a .278 average with 22 homers, 86 RBIs and 59 runs scored.
For the home team, Philadelphia’s pitching staff has allowed 4.3 runs per game overall in 2018. The team’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.80, a WHIP of 1.23 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.8. The bullpen has a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.4 K/9.
Philadelphia’s hitters have produced 4.3 runs per outing, including 4.6 per game over its last 10 games and 5.0 per game over their last five. The team has a slash-line of .246/.326/.473 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that stretch.
The Phillies’ offense has been led by second baseman Cesar Hernandez and right fielder Odubel Herrera. Hernandez is slashing .254/.361/.357 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, 82 runs and 17 stolen bases, and Herrera’s line is .267/.321/.446 with 21 homers, 65 RBIs and 57 runs.
The Cubs have gained 0.3 units and are 51-53 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has hit in 45 of those games, compared to 56 that’ve hit the under against righty starters. On the other hand, the Phillies have netted 6.8 units and are 51-51 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 44 of those games, compared to 54 which went under the total.
Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Cubs, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Chicago has tallied 12 extra-base hits over its last five games. Philadelphia has 18 XBH over its last five.
- Philadelphia has recorded 21.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 21.4 over its last five.
- The Cubs have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Phillies have hit 15 over their last 10.
