The Philadelphia Phillies will take on the Chicago Cubs in a Thursday showdown. The opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET and this NL showdown will be televised on WLS and NSPA.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs Odds
The Phillies have gone 28-21 SU this year and are 25-23 against the spread (ATS). They’ve accumulated 3.8 units for gamblers taking the moneyline over the early part of the year and 1.6 units ATS. Philadelphia is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 29-18 SU and 22-24 ATS. The team’s gained 6.0 units for moneyline bettors while earning 2.2 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 24-21-1 so far in 2019. The Phillies have an over/under record of 21-26-1.
Right-hander Aaron Nola will get the nod for Philadelphia. Nola is 4-0 with a 4.47 ERA and 60 strikeouts. He has yet to face Chicago this year, but he did make two starts against the team in 2018, compiling a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
The Cubs are putting the ball in the left hand of Jon Lester (3-2, 2.09 ERA), who has 42 strikeouts and nine walks this season as well as a 1.26 WHIP. Lester only made one start against the Phillies in 2018 (1-0, 0.00 ERA and seven strikeouts across six innings).
Chicago’s pitchers have yielded 4.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 3.40, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.8. The bullpen has a 3.90 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 9.0 K/9.
The Chicago hitters have put up 5.4 runs per outing, including 5.1 per game over its last 10 games and 4.6 per game over their last five. The team has hit .258/.349/.423 over its last five games and is 3-2 SU during that span.
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs’ hitters this year. Baez is slashing .323/.365/.608 with 12 home runs, 33 RBIs and 35 runs scored, and Bryant’s line sits at .280/.404/.560 with 11 homers, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored.
In the other dugout, Philadelphia’s pitching staff allowed 4.4 runs per game and its starters own a 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 8.10 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.82, along with a K-per-9 of 8.82.
Phillies hitters have slashed .244/.331/.407 on their way to 4.9 runs scored per game in 2019, including 3.8 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 4.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (3-2 SU).
Philadelphia’s hitters have been paced by second baseman Cesar Hernandez and shortstop Jean Segura. Hernandez is slashing .306/.368/.461 with four home runs, 21 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Segura (.323/.370/.491) is up to four homers, 20 RBIs and 31 runs scored.
The Phillies have lost 4.8 units and are 5-6 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has hit in five of those games, compared to six that’ve gone under against left-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 5.2 units and are 18-19 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 19 of those games, compared to 18 that’ve gone under.
Phillies at Cubs MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Phillies, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Each teams has logged 15 extra-base hits over its last five contests.
- The Phillies have a total OPS of .738 this season and an OPS of .743 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS stands at .802 overall and .772 against lefties.
- Philadelphia has recorded 19.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 games and 21.2 over its last five.
- The Phillies have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
