|
The Cubs have had this season in their sights for several
years as they waited for a large crop of prospects to arrive,
and they’ve lived up to the hype thus far with the best record
in the majors. Chicago dropped eight of 12 during a recent
slump, but the offense broke out for 21 runs in the final two
games of a series victory at St. Louis this week. The Phillies
need to rebound after losing consecutive series to Atlanta and
Detroit. Philadelphia’s offense has been inconsistent of late,
scoring one or zero runs three times in a five-game span before
heating up in an 8-5 win in the series finale against the Tigers
on Wednesday.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, TCN (Philadelphia), CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Adam Morgan (1-2, 5.61 ERA) vs.
Cubs LH Jon Lester (4-3, 2.60)
Morgan has lost two straight starts, but he was a tough-luck
loser in spite of a strong outing last time he took the mound.
After allowing seven runs in 3 2/3 innings in an ugly loss to
Cincinnati, the 26-year-old rebounded to hold Atlanta to two
runs over six frames in a 2-0 loss Saturday. Morgan faced the
Cubs last season and took the loss, allowing four runs and seven
hits over five innings.
After coming within one out of starting the season with eight
consecutive quality starts, Lester had a disastrous outing
Saturday at San Francisco. The 32-year-old was rocked for five
runs in 2 2/3 innings as he struggled with his command and
issued three walks. Lester is 4-0 with a 1.76 ERA in six career
starts against the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs are 29-0 when leading after eight innings while the
Phillies are 0-19 when trailing entering the ninth.
2. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 20-for-46 during a 12-game
hitting streak, the longest active streak in the National
League.
3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco, who was 5-for-11 in the Detroit
series, left Wednesday’s game with a sprained right ankle but
plans to play Friday.
PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Phillies 4
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
