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MLB Picks Today – Odds and Probable Pitchers for Phillies vs Cubs (July 8)

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 8, 2021 · 5:41 AM PDT

Anthony Rizzo swinging
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo reacts after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
  • See the best bet in baseball for Thursday, July 8th
  • The Phillies’ Zach Eflin faces Cubs rookie Adbert Alzolay in Chicago
  • See the odds, trends and prediction for the game below

After snapping a long losing streak, the Chicago Cubs will try to make it two wins in a row when they host the Philadelphia Phillies at 8:05 p.m. ET Thursday at Wrigley Field in the finale of a four-game series.

The Cubs (43-44) ended their 11-game skid Wednesday night with an 8-3 victory. They are favored to salvage a split of the series.

The Phillies (41-43) had won four of its last five games prior to Wednesday. They will attempt to win a four-game road series for the first time since 2017.

Adbert Alzolay (4-8, 4.48) is scheduled to pitch for the Cubs against Zach Eflin (3-6, 4.13).

Phillies vs Cubs Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total at WilliamHill
Philadelphia Phillies +101 +1.5 (-200) Over 8 (-105)
Chicago Cubs -111 -1.5 (+170) Under 8 (-115)

Odds as of July 8th

Eflin Snaps Skid

Eflin won his last time out after going eight straight starts without a victory. Last Saturday, he limited to the visiting San Diego Padres to two runs on three hits in six innings with two strikeouts and two walks.

It was the 10th quality start in 16 tries this season for Eflin, who compiled a 5.04 ERA during his winless stretch. He has also pitched at least six innings on 13 occasions.

Eflin has struggled on the road, going 1-5 with a 5.71 ERA in nine starts. In nine turns at night, he is 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA. In four career starts against the Cubs, Eflin is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA. That includes a 1-0 mark and 2.18 ERA in three games at Wrigley Field.

Cubs slugger Kris Bryant is 8 for 13 (.615) with two doubles against Eflin. However, Bryant is questionable after leaving Wednesday’s game with right hamstring tightness.

Shortstop Javier Baez’s status is also unclear after he sat out Wednesday with a stained thumb.

Rookie Alzolay Struggling

Alzolay has lost four straight starts with a 7.13 ERA, though he pitched better last Saturday in a loss to the Reds at Cincinnati. He allowed three runs and five hits in seven innings with six strikeouts and one walk.

That was Alzolay’s first quality start since May 28. He has four this season in 14 tries and has allowed three runs or less in 11 starts. The Friendly Confines have indeed been friendly for Alzolay as he is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in seven starts this season at Wrigley. He has a 2-6 record at night with a 4.98 ERA over nine starts.

Alzolay will be facing the Phillies for the first time in his career and Philadelphia could be without center fielder Odubel Herrera, who has sat out the last two games with ankle and wrist injuries.

The Cubs will hope Alzolay can get a late lead to the bullpen where left-hander Andrew Chafin and closer Craig Kimbrel have been outstanding.

Chafin has made 23 straight scoreless appearances covering 22.2 innings. Kimbrel has a 0.46 ERA in his last 41 games, dating to last season.

Cubs Snap Phillies’ Streak

The Phillies had beaten the Cubs six straight times prior to Wednesday when Anthony Rizzo, Joc Pederson and Nico Hoerner each had two hits and an RBI to lead Chicago.

Patrick Wisdom added a two-run double for the Cubs. Andrew McCutchen had a two-run homer for the Phillies.

The teams did not meet during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but the Phillies won five of seven games from the Cubs in 2019. Prior to that, the Cubs took the season series for three straight years from 2016-18, going 13-6 in that span.

Despite Eflin fine outing last weekend, neither he nor Alzolay have been reliable lately. Let’s hit the over after the teams combined for 16, 25 and 11 runs in the first three games of the series.

The Pick: Over 8 (-105)

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