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 Chicago is virtually a lock for the playoffs with a nine-game lead
for the second wild card, but the Cubs still hope to chase down
Pittsburgh (2 1/2 games back) and perhaps St. Louis (seven games
back) to improve their postseason draw. The youthful Cubs have been
one of the hottest teams in the league of late, going 33-18 since
the All-Star break including a 28-11 mark since July 29. Changes are
coming to Philadelphia’s front office, as the club announced
Thursday it will not extend the contract of general manager Ruben
Amaro Jr. The move is no surprise given the Phillies own the worst
record in the majors, but they swept a three-game series from the
Cubs in the first meeting this season.
TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (18-6, 2.03 ERA) vs. Phillies
LH Adam Morgan (5-5, 4.42)
Arrieta has been perhaps the most dominant pitcher in the majors of
late, winning seven straight starts while posting a 0.36 ERA. The
29-year-old did not allow an earned run in six of those outings,
including each of his last four turns. Arrieta has racked up 34
strikeouts over his last four starts while walking three and
allowing 12 hits.
Morgan has shown promise in his first stint in the majors, but he
endured one of the roughest outings of his young career last time
out. The 25-year-old allowed a career-high six runs over 6 1/3
innings in a loss at Boston. Morgan had recorded quality starts in
four of his previous five outings before being roughed up by the Red
Sox.
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WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs have homered in each of their last eight games at
Citizens Bank Park dating to 2012.
2. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is hitless in his last 28 at-bats.
3. Chicago has recorded at least one extra-base hit in 42
consecutive contests – its longest such streak since a 52-game run
in 2011.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Phillies 1
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