Cubs vs. Phillies Pick
Are the Chicago Cubs going to defeat the host Philadelphia Phillies handily Friday night? First pitch is at 7:05PM EST.
The Cubs are a -205 favorite on the moneyline to win according to Bovada.lv. The Phillies are a +175 underdog, while the over-under is 8.5. Chicago is -130 on the -1.5 run line, while Philadelphia is +110.
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Jose Quintana (8-10, 4.27 ERA) gets the start for the Cubs, while the Phillies will go with Jerad Eickhoff (3-7, 4.46). Quintana comes in with a 1.26 WHIP and has now made seven starts since being traded to the Cubs. In his last two outings, he’s given up a total of three earned runs over 11 innings as Chicago has won both games. He has a 3.63 in 13 road starts. Eickhoff has a 1.49 WHIP and allowed four earned runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 12-9 win at the Giants his last time out. He has a 3.83 ERA in 10 home starts.
Chicago comes in with a 68-58 record and is 34-30 on the road, while Philadelphia is 46-80 and 25-34 at home. The Cubs have won three of four in the season series with all four games going over the total.
On Wednesday, Chicago had its five-game winning streak snapped as it lost 4-2 at the Reds. Pedro Strop allowed three earned runs in the eighth inning to take the loss. Ian Happ homered and walked twice to lead the offense, while Javier Baez had two hits and an RBI. Ben Zobrist singled and doubled in four at-bats. lost three of four at home to the Marlins, including Thursday’s 9-8 defeat as they allowed six unanswered runs after holding a five-run lead. Tommy Joseph was 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, while Rhys Hoskins was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Nick Williams had two hits including a double, scoring a run and driving in two. Cesar Hernandez was 2-for-5 with a run. Luis Garcia took the loss in relief.
The Cubs offense had been sizzling prior to their last game with the Reds. Expect them to get back on track with this one against a pitcher in Eickhoff who has been shaky more times than solid this year. Quintana should baffle some of the younger Phillies hitters.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CUBS RL -130