Cubs vs Phillies Picks, Odds & Starting Lineups (May 20)
- The Phillies are -165 home favorites over the Cubs on Saturday
- Jameson Taillon (0-2, 6.66) will pitch for the Cubs against Aaron Nola (3-3, 4.53)
- A look at the Cubs vs Phillies odds and matchup can be found below with a prediction
The Chicago Cubs will look to build some momentum as it visits the Phillies at 4:05 p.m. ET Saturday in the idle game of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Read on for some player props for Cubs vs Phillies.
The Cubs (20-24, 9-13 road) ended their five-game losing streak Friday night by routing the Phillies 10-1. Philadelphia (20-24, 11-8 home) has lost five games in a row on the heels of a five-game winning streak.
Cubs vs Phillies Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs | +140 | +1.5 (-140) | Over 9 (-105) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | -165 | -1.5 (+118) | Under 9 (-115) |
The Phillies are -165 favorites on the moneyline over the Cubs on Saturday in the MLB odds, giving them an implied win probability of 62.26%. Philadelphia has +2200 World Series championship odds and Chicago is listed at +10000.
The weather forecast calls for a 60% chance of showers, though they could be cleared out by the scheduled first pitch. The high temperature is expected to be 73 with south wind at 5-10 mph.
Odds as of May 19th at Caesars Sportsbook.
Cubs vs Phillies Probable Pitchers
James Taillon (0-2, 6.66) is scheduled to start for the Cubs against the Phillies’ Aaron Nola (3-3, 4.53). Taillon will be pitched on four days of rest and Nola on five.
Taillon vs Nola
| 3-3 | Record | 0-2 |
| 4.53 | ERA | 6.66 |
| 3.65 | xERA | 5.18 |
| 1.11 | WHIP | 1.52 |
| 3.58 | SO/W | 3.71 |
Taillon has struggled after being signed to a four-year, $68-million contract in the offseason. The Cubs are 0-6 when he pitches, and he has yet to register a quality start.
In three starts since coming off the injured list, Taillon is 0-0 with a 9.58 ERA. He had been sidelined by a groin strain.
His last time out, Taillon went just 4.2 innings against the Astros Monday in Houston in a no-decision. He allowed four runs and seven hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Taillon is 1-1 with a 6.86 ERA in five career starts versus the Phillies.
Taillon has no record and a 4.97 ERA in three road starts. He is 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three starts during the day.
Nola allowed four runs and six hits in seven innings losing to the Colorado Rockies last Sunday. He had four strikeouts and one walk.
Nola is capable of pitching better.
8 innings, 8 Ks for Aaron Nola 👏 pic.twitter.com/48VB8ViO48
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 19, 2022
In seven career starts against the Cubs, Nola has a 4-2 record and a 4.74 ERA.
Nola is 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in three starts at home this season and 1-2 with a 5.59 ERA in five starts in day games. Nola, whose NL Cy Young odds are +5000, has notched quality starts in six of his nine outings, but the Phillies have gone just 4-5 when he is on the mound.
Starting lineups for Saturday’s game can be found here.
Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers
| Cubs Batters | Batting Average vs Aaron Nola |
|---|---|
| Christopher Morel | .500 |
| Patrick Wisdom | .333 |
| Nico Hoerner | .333 |
| Yan Gomes | .316 |
| Dansby Swanson | .224 |
| Tucker Barnhart | .000 |
| Ian Happ | .000 |
| Trey Mancini | .000 |
| Mike Tauchman | .000 |
| Phillies Batters | Batting Average vs Jameson Taillon |
| Alec Bohm | 1.000 |
| J.T. Realmuto | .500 |
| Nick Castellanos | .500 |
| Bryce Harper | .333 |
| Kyle Schwarber | .200 |
| Trea Turner | .167 |
| Josh Harrison | .125 |
| Brandon Marsh | .000 |
Cubs catcher Yan Gomes is 6 for 19 (.316) with two home runs lifetime against Nola. However, catcher Tucker Barnhart (11 at-bats), left fielder Ian Happ (nine) and designated hitter Trey Mancini (seven) are a combined 0 for 27 versus Nola.
Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper is 3 for 9 with a double off Taillon but shortstop Trea Turner is 2 for 12 (.167) with one double.
Cubs vs Phillies Betting Outlook
Nico Hoerner came off the injured list Friday night and hit two two-run doubles to lead the Cubs to their rout of the Phillies.
Hoerner finished with three hits and four RBIs. The Cubs also got two hits and two RBIs from Nick Madrigal and two hits each from Seiya Suzuki and Gomes. Christopher Morel hit a two-run home run.
So great 2 have you back, Nico! 😊 pic.twitter.com/REcWqFHbhK
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 20, 2023
The Cubs shuffled their roster before the game as they placed center fielder Cody Bellinger (left knee contusion on the injured list, designated first baseman Eric Hosmer for assignment and optioned reliever Keegan Thompson to Triple-A Iowa. Hoerner (strained left hamstring) was activated while infielder Edwin Rios and outfielder Mike Tauchman were called up from Iowa.
The Phillies managed just three hits.
Cubs vs Phillies Last 10 Games
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/19/23 | Phillies | Cubs | CHC, 10-1 |
| 9/29/22 | Cubs | Phillies | CHC, 2-0 |
| 9/28/22 | Cubs | Phillies | CHC, 4-2 |
| 9/27/22 | Cubs | Phillies | CHC, 2-1 |
| 7/24/22 | Phillies | Cubs | CHC, 4-3 |
| 7/23/22 | Phillies | Cubs | CHC, 6-2 |
| 7/22/22 | Phillies | Cubs | CHC, 15-2 |
| 9/16/21 | Phillies | Cubs | PHI, 17-8 |
| 9/15/21 | Phillies | Cubs | PHI, 6-5 |
| 9/14/21 | Phillies | Cubs | CHC, 6-3 |
The Cubs won the first game between the teams this season on Friday night after going 6-0 against the Phillies last year.
Cubs vs Phillies Prediction
The law of averages suggests the Phillies should break their overall losing streak and end their skid against the Cubs with Nola on the mound.
Pick: Phillies -165 ML
Season Record: 19-8 (+8.9 units) ML; 2-2 (0.0 units) RL; 2-1 (+1.0 unit) O/U; 22-11 (+9.9 units) overall
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John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
