Free MLB Picks Today: Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies 6/27/23

The Chicago Cubs (37-39) host the Philadelphia Phillies (40-37) at Wrigley Field on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series. The Phillies won two out of three in their last series against the Mets, taking the finale 7-6 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.

Trea Turner was 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and three RBIs. Alec Bohm went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI. The Cubs are returning home for a six-game homestand.

They split their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 7-5 on Sunday at London Stadium. Trey Mancini went 1 for 1 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. Miguel Amaya added a double and one RBI.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Phillies have won two of three in the season series between the teams, including a 2-1 victory in their most recent meeting on May 21 at Citizens Bank Park.

Matt Strahm got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth to pick up his fifth save.

ON THE MOUND

Ranger Suarez (1-2, 3.50 ERA) is set for the start for Philadelphia. The southpaw allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 4-2 home defeat against the Braves on June 20. He scattered four hits while striking out seven and walking two in the no-decision.

Suarez has made one previous start against the Cubs this season, a 10-1 home loss on May 19. He surrendered four runs on five hits over two innings, striking out four and walking three. Right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-5, 6.71 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago.

He has made one prior start against the Phillies this season, giving up eight runs (6 ER) over 2.1 innings in a 12-3 road defeat on May 20. He gave up six hits and walked three while striking out one in the loss.

In his last start on June 18, Taillon took the loss at home against the Orioles. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two in the 6-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Philadelphia offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.323/.414. Nick Castellanos leads the team in OPS at .849. The right fielder is slashing .313/.359/.490 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, and 45 runs over 75 games.

Against righties like Taillon this season, the Phils have a .744 OPS. Brandon Marsh is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .851 OPS in 163 at-bats. Chicago is slashing .248/.329/.402 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.

Ian Happ leads the team with a .819 OPS. The center fielder has seven home runs, 37 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .267/.391/.429. Chicago is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.263/.332/.469).

The Cubs have a .774 OPS against Southpaws in 2023. With a .964 OPS over 56 at-bats, Cody Bellinger has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Philadelphia is on a six-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 19-23 in 2023. The Phils have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.2 runs.

Chicago has gone 20-17 at Wrigley Field this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 games at Wrigley Field between the teams, Chicago is 6-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Philadelphia (5.7-4.7).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Phillies are third in the NL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, three games behind the Reds.