8:05 pm
July 5

Phillies @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Philadelphia Phillies (39-42)

@ Chicago Cubs (42-42)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Moore (PHI): 0-1; 5.79 ERA

Davies (CHC) 5-5; 4.32 ERA

 

Current odds:

Philadelphia Phillies: (+130)

Chicago Cubs: (-140)

 

• The Chicago Cubs will bid to snap a frustrating nine-game losing streak on Monday night when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a four-game series. The Cubs dropped a 3-2 decision to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday and scored only five runs in the weekend series.

• Chicago left eight runners on base and finished 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

• The nine-game skid has sent the Cubs careening back to .500 at 42-42.

• All the Cubs can do is move forward and try to forget what has transpired at the end of June and the early part of July. “I think we ran through a really tough schedule in June. And I think July, in my mind, feels like we’re getting some health back,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “We get some guys that have been banged up back healthy. Yeah, we’re at the halfway point and on our way to the second half and a whole other half of a season we’re fixing to partake in.”

• The Cubs will send right-hander Zach Davies to the mound for his 18th start. Davies (5-5, 4.32 ERA) will make his fourth career start against the Phillies. He’s 2-1 with a 5.19 ERA in the three previous starts.

• The Phillies will look to rebound after an 11-1 loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Hector Neris allowed six runs in the ninth inning.

• In addition, Andrew McCutchen left the game with oblique tightness, and his status is unclear for Monday’s game.

• Even with the loss and all of the issues in their bullpen, the Phillies are just 4 1/2 games of first place in the National League East.

• Didi Gregorius was held out of Sunday’s game, but his elbow appears to be healthy. That’s a good sign for the Phillies, who need him to boost the offense.

• Left-hander Matt Moore will take the mound for his fifth start for the Phillies. He is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA this season but has pitched better as of late. He is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in two career starts vs. the Cubs.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Cubs
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