Phillies vs. Cubs: Game 2, prediction, odds, injuries and picks

The Philadelphia Phillies will face the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of a three-game set in the Windy City on Saturday.

The visitors were shut down by the Cubs in Game 1 after a brilliant start from pitcher Colin Rea. They only generated five hits. After a hot start, the Phillies now find themselves reeling, having lost five straight, starting with a surprising loss to the Marlins on April 20.

On the other hand, things are looking up for the Cubs. The team has a firm grip on the NL Central after winning three straight games. In addition, the Cubs continue to pile on the runs as they have now recorded 167 through 27 games.

Phillies vs Cubs recent form and records

Philadelphia's 13-13 record is now in danger of being snagged by the Miami Marlins, who are just half a game behind. The team's five-game losing streak is its longest of the season and it is now carrying a 4-9 win-loss card on the road.

Chicago, meanwhile, has won seven of its last 10 games with a +47 in run differential. The team has also tallied a mighty 17-10 record against teams over the .500 mark.

Players to watch

Starting pitchers

PHI: Jesus Luzardo (2-0, 2.08 ERA), CHC: Ben Brown (2-1, 4.57 ERA)

Philadelphia Phillies

After a tough 2024 season, Jesus Luzardo has turned things around to start the new campaign. The young Peruvian lefty owns a 2-0 record across five starts with 36 strikeouts across 30 and 1/3 innings.

Must-Watch Hitters

Chicago Cubs

All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker is building another MVP-caliber season for himself. Since his arrival in Chicago, he has played a starring role in the high-octane Cubs offense. Tucker is batting .308/.414/.617 with an OPS of 1.031. He has also tallied seven home runs, 25 RBIs, eight doubles, and eight stolen bases.

Phillies vs Cubs baseball betting odds

Saturday, 4/26	Money Line	Run Spread	Total Runs
PHI	-110	-1.5, +157	O 7.5, +114
CHC	-110	+1.5, -198	U 7.5, -148

Phillies vs Cubs expert picks and game prediction

Bookmakers have pegged the game as evens when it comes to the outcome. It should be a nip-and-tuck affair with Jesus Luzardo starting for Philadelphia. The young hurler will have his work cut out against arguably the hottest offense in the league this season.

If Chicago can startle Luzardo early on, it should have an easier route to victory. Philly's bullpen isn't expected to mount that big of a challenge, being the second-worst relief crew in the league in terms of ERA at 5.44.

Run Line: +1.5, -198

Total Runs: U 7.5, -148

Prediction: CHC wins, 3-1

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago