The Philadelphia Phillies (83-70) continue their 10-game road trip to end the regular season with the 2nd game of their 3-game series against the Chicago Cubs (68-86). First pitch for Wednesday’s game at Wrigley Field is 7:40 p.m. ET.
Season series: Cubs lead 4-0
The Phillies hold the final National League wild-card slot but have lost 3 games in a row and 8 of their last 11 games. They hold a 1.5-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers after losing Tuesday’s opener to the Cubs 2-1.
The Cubs have won 2 games in a row and 6 of their last 7. They have not lost to the Phillies yet this year. They are out of the playoff race so these games down the stretch are about pride and building momentum for 2023.
Phillies at Cubs projected starters
RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Hayden Wesneski
Nola (10-12 3.28 ERA) makes his 31st start. He has a 0.99 WHIP 1.4 BB/9 and 10.2 K/9 in 192 1/3 IP.
- Pitched 6 scoreless innings in a 9-1 Phillies win Friday over the Atlanta Braves with 4 H 3 BB and 8 K
- Has 17 starts allowing 2 or fewer runs this season
Wesneski (2-1 2.45 ERA) makes his 3rd start in 5 appearances. He has a 0.82 WHIP 1.6 BB/9 and 9.8 K/9 in 22 IP.
- Picked up his 1st major-league win as a starter in his last outing allowing 2 R 5 H 2 BB with 6 K in 6 2/3 innings in a 3-2 win Thursday over the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Has an ERA of 2.03 in 2 starts this season
Phillies at Cubs odds
- Money line (ML): Phillies -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Cubs +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies -1.5 (-108) | Cubs +1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: -105)
Phillies at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Cubs 4 Phillies 3
Money line
The Phillies have yet to beat the Cubs this season. And as good as Nola has pitched this season the Phillies are only 14-16 when he takes the mound. They have won 3 of his last 4 starts.
They have lost 8 of their last 11 games.
Wesneski has been good in his first 4 appearances and first 2 starts.
The Cubs have won 6 of their last 7.
Take the CUBS (+160).
Run line/Against the spread
The Phillies are 76-77 ATS overall this season and 37-35 ATS on the road. They have failed to cover the spread in 7 of their last 10 games.
The Cubs are 35-41 ATS at home this season but are 4-0 ATS against the Phillies beating them outright as the underdog in all four games.
Take the CUBS +1.5 (-112).
Over/Under
At 6.5 runs the projected total is low. While the Cubs had a 2-1 win last night 3 of the 4 games between the two teams have had 7 or more runs.
Ten of the last 12 games for the Phillies have had 7 or more runs while 5 of the last 9 games have for the Cubs.
Take OVER 6.5 (-120).
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