The Chicago Cubs (20-24) are on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (20-24) at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. The Cubs took Friday’s series opener 10-1, their seventh straight head-to-head victory.
Marcus Stroman went six innings for the win, giving up one run on three hits.Nico Hoerner was 3 for 6 with two doubles and four RBIs in the win. Bryson Stott went 1 for 4 with one run for the Phillies.
ON THE MOUND
Jameson Taillon (0-2, 6.41 ERA) is in line for the start for Chicago. The right-hander allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 6-4 road defeat against the Astros on Monday.
He gave up seven hits while striking out one and walking one in the no-decision. RHP Aaron Nola (3-3, 4.53 ERA) gets the ball for Philadelphia. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs.
Nola made one start against the Cubs in 2022, throwing six innings in a 4-2 road defeat on September 28. He gave up five hits while striking out eight in the loss.
In his last start on Sunday, Nola took the loss on the road against the Rockies. He threw seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one in the 4-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 5.2 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.9. Against righties like Nola this season, the Cubs have a .752 OPS.
Ian Happ is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.017 OPS in 115 at-bats. Philadelphia is averaging only 2.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.2 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.206/.288/.297).
The Phils have a .755 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .409 OBP over 93 at-bats, Brandon Marsh has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 9-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Philadelphia has gone 11-8 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.0.
In the last 10 meetings at Citizens Bank Park, each club has won five, though Chicago has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.2-5.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, four games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
