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CUBS VS PHILLIES — With a win over the Nationals yesterday, the 2024 Chicago Cubs are now just one victory away from guaranteeing themselves at least a .500 season. That doesn’t mean anything at all, I’m just pointing it out for reference.
To that end, they’ve already locked in an above-.500 record at home (42-36 … with three more to go at Wrigley Field), and have a shot at finishing above .500 on the road depending on what happens this week in Philadelphia: currently 38-40 on the road, but with three against the Phillies in Philly. With Nate Pearson set to go up against Aaron Nola this evening, it might be tough to finish at or above even on the road.
That said, the Phillies’ magic number is down to one, so even a single Mets’ loss and the Cubs could get a couple of “we did it” lineups from Philly, resting key players the rest of the series.
With Nate Pearson starting tonight’s game, the Cubs rotation has temporarily ballooned back to six, which means just one more start for everyone. Pearson, Justin Steele, and Javier Assad this week. Jameson Taillon, Kyle Hendricks, and Shota Imanaga to end the year at Wrigley (*probables).
Among things to watch this week …
- Ian Happ is 0-15 with 7Ks vs Aaron Nola. Maybe he’ll get the night off.
- Dansby Swanson has a five-game hitting streak and is *this* close to a league-average overall slash line for the season (97 wRC+). In the second-half, alone, he’s slashing .283/.353/.439 (123 wRC+) and he’s up to 3.9 WAR overall. He had a terribly slow start, but this has ultimately become a good season.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong has stolen just one base since August 27. Weird.
- Miguel Amaya had a double and a homer in his most recent start and a 3-hit game against the A’s, but has been pretty quiet lately. Over his last 52 PAs, he’s slashing just .149/.216/.298 (44 wRC+). That’s probably for the best. The hot streak was fun and maybe it does mean a better future, but the Cubs still need to upgrade behind the plate heading into next season.
Cubs vs Phillies – Pitching Probables:
Game 1: Cubs vs Phillies — Monday, September 23 at 5:40 pm CT at Citizens Bank Park
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
- Cubs: Nate Pearson, RP
- Phillies: Aaron Nola, RHP
Game 2: Cubs vs Phillies — Tuesday, September 24 at 5:40 CT at Citizens Bank Park
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
- Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP
- Phillies: TBD
Game 3: Cubs vs Phillies — Wednesday, September 25 at 5:05 CT at Citizens Bank Park
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
- Cubs: Javier Assad, RHP
- Phillies: Christopher Sanchez, LHP
Cubs vs Phillies – Key Injuries:
- Julian Merryweather, RP
- Jordan Wicks, SP
- Nick Madrigal, IF
- Ben Brown, RP
- Colten Brewer, RP
- Yency Almonte, RP
- Luke Little, RP
- Adbert Alzolay, RP
- Brennen Davis, OF
- Austin Hays, OF
- Spencer Turnbull, SP
- Luis F. Ortiz, RP
- Rodolfo Castro, IF