On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Phillies series preview

The Phillies just got swept by the Pirates and have lost five in a row and nine of their last 10.

Perhaps this is a good time for the Cubs to play them. The Phillies took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field in April, but the teams look quite different now.

For more on the Phillies, here’s Ethan Witte, who runs our SB Nation Phillies site The Good Phight.

The Phillies are struggling. The offense is not clicking and is now down Bryce Harper for the next few days with his going on the injured list. The defense has been shoddy the past few days, leading to runs given up that shouldn’t be. The starting pitching has been fine, but since they’re not scoring runs on offense, they’ve had to be extra fine. At times, they are not and the Phillies haven’t been able to come back from it. In short, it’s been a rough 10 games for the Phillies. Fortunately, they’re coming home where they’ve played much better, they’re getting Zack Wheeler back from the paternity list and the offense has played better at home. I’d expect them put up a much better fight against the Cubs than they did against the Pirates.

Fun facts

The Cubs’ .524 winning percentage in their 2,399 games vs. the Phillies since 1883 is their third best against any active National League team, behind .544 vs. the Padres, in 524 games, and .541 vs. the Braves, in 2,333.

The Cubs have won 115 more games than the Phillies in the rivalry, but have lost 23 more at Philadelphia. A second loss in this series would be their 600th there. They have won 575.The Cubs also have 598 losses on the road against the Braves, whom they have beaten 554 times as their guests.

Since 2016, the Cubs have won three series at Philadelphia and lost five. They swept three games in 2022. They lost three in 2019. Last year, they lost, won and lost.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Monday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (5-3, 3.01 ERA, 1.194 WHIP, 3.46 FIP) vs. Zack Wheeler, RHP (6-2, 2.96 ERA, 0.921 WHIP, 2.92 FIP)

Tuesday: Colin Rea, RHP (4-2, 3.59 ERA, 1.353 WHIP, 4.32 FIP) vs. Mick Abel, RHP (1-0, 0.79 ERA, 0.706 WHIP, 1.13 FIP)

Wednesday: Ben Brown, RHP (3-4, 5.37 ERA, 1.429 WHIP, 3.13 FIP) vs. Jesús Luzardo, LHP (5-2, 4.46 ERA, 1.445 WHIP, 2.89 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 5:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Tuesday: 5:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Wednesday: 12:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Phillies market territories)

Prediction

The Cubs will finish up a successful road trip by taking two of three at Citizens Bank Park.

Up next

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, beginning Thursday evening.

Poll

How many games will the Cubs win against the Phillies?