The Cubs are back in action tonight, kicking things off with a trip to the East Coast, where the Philadelphia Phillies are waiting to pad their lead in the Wild Card race.
Justin Steele is getting the honor as the first Cubs pitcher out of the break, following a strong first-half, with a particularly strong finish over his last three starts: 17.2 IP, 5ER (2.55 ERA) with 18Ks (24.3% strikeout rate). He’s developed into a legitimate weapon for the Cubs and a true building block for the future.
As a word of warning, the Phillies (112 wRC+) are one of the best offenses against LHP this season. Steele has his work cut out for him.
Starting opposite the Cubs young left-hander is the righty, Kyle Gibson.
Gibson, 34, didn’t quite get the results he was hoping for in the first half (4.35 ERA), but he finished VERY strong over his last two starts: 13.0 IP, 1ER, 1BB, 10Ks. We’ll see which version we get later tonight.
Reminder: Tonight’s game is on AppleTV+. It’s free to watch for all, but you do need an AppleTV+ account to do it. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (35-57) at Philadelphia Phillies (49-43) – Friday, July 22 at 6:05 CT on AppleTV+, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Kyle Gibson, LHP
Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
- Rafael Ortega, CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- Frank Schwindel, DH
- Alfonso Rivas, 1B
- Chris Morel, 2B
Philadelphia Phillies:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Rhys Hoskins, 1B
- Nick Castellanos, RF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Alec Bohm, DH
- Matt Vierling, CF
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Yairo Muรฑoz, 3B
- Bryson Stott, 2B