Kyle Hendricks (2-4, 3.30 ERA) and Jerad Eickhoff (2-6, 3.86 ERA) are on the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (32-14) and the Philadelphia Phillies (26-22) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 6-2, and Chicago leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 2:20 p.m. ET on Saturday, May. 28 and can be seen on CSPh and WLS.
Hendricks pitched 5.1 innings in his last outing, surrendering one run, striking out one and walking three in a 1-0 defeat to the Giants. Dexter Fowler (.318, 32 Rs, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs, 6 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Eickhoff went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out three and walking one in a 5-0 win over the Braves in his most recent start. Odubel Herrera (.329, 28 Rs, 5 HRs, 17 RBIs, 6 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Phillies, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
The odds for Chicago and Philadelphia are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Cubs have no trouble scoring as they rank fifth in the NL in home offense with 5.2 runs per game. Chicago leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 4.8 per game. Crossing over to the pitching and defensive side, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score runs against the Cubs. The 0.0 runs that Chicago’s pitchers allow per game makes them the top staff in the NL. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.076 so far this season.
Offensively, the Phillies have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Phillies allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Cubs have the edge in the season series, 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Philadelphia has won 45% (9-11) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 82% (18-4) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Phillies are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cubs have a 5-4 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cubs are 25-4. The Phillies have a 16-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia sits near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 157 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at third with 262.
Chicago ranks at the top of the league when it comes to walks with 223 this season. Philadelphia ranks near the bottom at 27th with 118.
The Cubs are 25-5 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Phillies are 20-9 when they hit at least one homer.
