NEWSLETTER
In terms of pitching matchups – on both sides – tonight is the Cubs’ best opportunity to win. Kyle Hendricks has been as dominant and consistent as anyone in the Cubs lineup this season and Zach Eflin is the weakest of the Phillies three starters this week, even though he has a solid 3.81 FIP.
With that said … he’s very beatable. He’s failed to get out of the fifth inning in three consecutive starts and allows a TON of balls in the air (of course, the wind is blowing in tonight … sigh). He does have solid strikeout stuff and doesn’t really walk many guys, but if the Cubs can make some contact, I have no doubt they can get to him – and hopefully they can get to him, because the Phillies bullpen has been pretty solid this season.
As for Kyle Hendricks, he’s coming off a relatively short outing in Pittsburgh (only 5.0 IP), but it was still pretty good: 7H, 2ER, 1B, 1K. His ERA is down to just 3.19 this season, as he hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in nine consecutive starts.
Addison Russell is sitting this one out (he hurt his finger on Sunday) and Ian Happ is also on the bench. Jason Heyward continues to bat second, and he will have the advantage against Eflin, who’s shown strong lefty/righty splits this season.
Other than that, Jake is back:
Jake in the house. #Cubs #Phillies pic.twitter.com/kTVC2eIAO0
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) June 5, 2018
And let’s go Cubs!
Game Info
Philadelphia Phillies (31-26) at Chicago Cubs (33-23) – 7:05 CT on WGN, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R): 3.19 ERA, 4.40 FIP, 3.71 K/BB
versus
Phillies: Zack Eflin (R):Â 4.50 ERA, 3.81 FIP; 3.63 K/BB
Philadelphia Phillies Lineup:
- Cesar Hernandez, 2B
- Odubel Herrera, CF
- Scott Kingery, SS
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Aaron Altherr, RF
- Nick Williams
- Maikel Franco, 3B
- Jorge Alfaro, C
- Zack Eflin, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, SS
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Kyle Hendricks, P
