Aaron Harang (5-15, 5.02 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (55-88) meet Dan Haren (9-9, 3.73 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (82-59) in the last of a five-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won the last game 7-5 and Chicago leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 13 and will air on WGN and CSPh.
In his most recent outing, Harang pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five runs, striking out six and walking three in a 7-2 loss to the Braves. The Cubs were victorious the last time Haren pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out five and walking two in a 9-0 victory over the Cardinals. Kris Bryant (.271, 78 Rs, 24 HRs, 91 RBIs, 12 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Phillies are a dangerous hitting team with 389 extra base hits, one of the highest totals in the MLB. Philadelphia’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 6.6 during that span, compared to its 5.2 season average.
The Cubs are the top-ranked scoring offense in the NL when playing on the road, averaging four runs per game so far. Chicago is the top hitting team in the league, converting .243 of their at-bats for hits. Switching gears to Chicago’s pitching staff, they have the fifth-lowest ERA in the NL at 3.54. They have a WHIP of 1.20, fifth best in the MLB. The Chicago pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging an NL-best 8.4 strikeouts per game.
The Phillies have mostly come out on top against the Cubs in their previous six games this season, earning a 4-2 record. The right-handed Harang will take the mound against the Cubs, who have a 65-45 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
The Phillies managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are coming in with a 29-10 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 18-67. The Cubs have a 17-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 28th in home runs, Philadelphia has hit 110 this season. Chicago ranks eighth with 157 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.21 per game. Philadelphia ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.59.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.686). Chicago ranks in the bottom half at 17th with an OPS of .722.
The Cubs are 39-39 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Phillies are 26-67 when they allow at least one homer.
