The Chicago Cubs (37-40) host the Philadelphia Phillies (41-37) at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. The Phillies took Tuesday’s series opener 5-1, their third head-to-head victory in four games this season.
Starter Ranger Suarez went 7.1 innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight, to get the win. Brandon Marsh was 2 for 3 with two home runs and three RBIs in the win. Cody Bellinger went 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Cubs.
ON THE MOUND
Aaron Nola (6-5, 4.38 ERA) is set for the start for Philadelphia. The RHP threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 5-1 road defeat against the Braves on Thursday. He yielded two hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision.
Nola has made one previous start against the Cubs this season, a 12-3 home victory on May 20. He surrendered two runs on four hits over seven innings, striking out 10 and walking one. Southpaw Drew Smyly (7-4, 3.38 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Phillies. Smyly made one start against the Phillies in 2022, throwing six innings in a 4-3 road win on July 24.
He gave up four hits while striking out four in the win. In his last start on June 19, Smyly got the win on the road against the Pirates. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out four and walking five in the 8-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against left-handed pitchers like Smyly this season, the Phils have a .717 OPS. Nick Castellanos is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .893 OPS in 81 at-bats.
Chicago is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.6 for the season. The Cubs have a .714 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .865 OPS over 200 at-bats, Ian Happ has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is on a seven-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 20-23 in 2023. The Phils have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.1 runs. Chicago has gone 20-18 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.2.
In the last 10 meetings at Wrigley Field, each club has won five, though Philadelphia has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.0-4.5.
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.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
