Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies Betting Preview
As the second half of the season kicks off, Friday will feature a National League battle as the Chicago Cubs (35-57) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (49-43). The Phillies will host this one at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm ET.
Sitting fourth in the NL Central, the Cubs stumbled into the All-Star break, having lost nine of their last 10. In their last series, they dropped three of four to the New York Mets, although they were able to salvage the finale 3-2.
Philadelphia has fared a little bit better as they have won six of their last ten games. They went into the break red hot, having swept the Miami Marlins, outscoring them 16-1 over three games.
The Phillies are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -136 to win while the Cubs’ moneyline sits at +116. The runline features Chicago +1.5 (-178), and the over/under for total runs is nine.
Cubs Could Have A Busy Few Weeks
At 35-57, the Chicago Cubs sit 14.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. With their postseason chances looking bleak, the Cubs could be busy as they may unload some names prior to the trade deadline.
It would not be shocking to see names like Willson Contreras (13 HR, 35 RBI) and David Robertson (1.93 ERA, 13 saves), among others, moved in deals. Still, while the hopes of contending may be minimal, they will still look to pick up the win Friday.
Taking the mound for the Cubs will be lefty Justin Steele. In 17 games, he is 3-6 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, and he has 79 strikeouts in 82.1 innings. Steele took the loss in his last start, giving up three runs in six innings. Over his last 17.2 innings (three starts), though, he has given up just a combined five runs.
Against the Phillies’ Kyle Gibson, Yan Gomes has had considerable success. In 32 at bats, he is hitting .406 with two home runs and five runs batted in. Patrick Wisdom and Alfonso Rivas have also homered off the righty.
Phillies Trying To Close NL East Gap
Having won three games in a row, the Phillies now find themselves just 8.5 games back in the NL East. While they have an uphill battle to surpass the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, they will hope to make a postseason push in the second half.
Trying to get them started on the right foot Friday will be 34-year-old righty Kyle Gibson. In 18 games, he is 5-3 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, and he has 80 strikeouts in 97.1 innings.
He picked up a win in his last start against the Marlins, going six innings, allowing one run on four hits.
While he may not have produced well in the Home Run Derby, Kyle Schwarber has been outstanding for Philadelphia this season. In 336 at bats, he is hitting .208/.317/.503 with a team-leading 29 home runs, 58 runs batted in, and 62 runs scored.
Against Justin Steele, Nick Castellanos has had the most success as he is four for eight with a home run.
Take Philadelphia To Win At Home
Not only have the Cubs lost nine of their last ten; overall, they have really struggled recently against the Phillies. In fact, in their last 11 games, they have gone just 2-9 versus Philadelphia.
They are also a miserable 1-5 in their last six games at Citizens Bank Park. With that in mind, taking the Phillies on the moneyline at -136 seems like a no-brainer.
