Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction, Preview and Odds - 05/20/2023

Game Time: 4:05 pm ET, Saturday, May 20, 2023

Venue:  Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA 

Where to Watch:  NBCS-PH

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs +130, Phillies -150; Over/Under:  9 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs +130, Phillies -150; Over/Under:  9 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Cubs +130, Phillies -150; Over/Under:  9 runs

Chicago Cubs:  19-24 (3rd place, NL Central)

Philadelphia Phillies:  20-23 (4th place, NL East)

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Chicago Cubs:  2-8 last 10

Philadelphia Phillies:  5-5 last 10

The Cubs are entering this game on a 5 game losing streak after getting swept 3-0 in their 3-game series against the Houston Astros. They enter this game with a 19-24 record overall and have a road record of 8-13. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Phillies on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 8th in the MLB with a .771 OPS. Marcus Stroman is their starting pitcher on Friday while Jameson Taillon is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 0-2 with a 6.66 ERA this season. His team lost all 6 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 4 ER, 0 HR, and 1 BB with 1 K on 7 hits through 4.2 IP against the Houston Astros.

The Phillies are entering this game on a 4 game losing streak after getting swept 3-0 in their 3-game series against the San Francisco Giants. They enter this game with a 20-23 record overall and have a home record of 11-7. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 11th in the MLB with a .743 OPS. Ranger Suárez is their starting pitcher on Friday while Aaron Nola is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 3-3 with a 4.53 ERA this season. His team lost 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last start, he allowed 4 earned runs, 1 homer, and 1 BB with 4 strikeouts on 6 hits through 7 innings played against the Colorado Rockies.

The current betting odds have the Phillies listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Phillies are off to a terrible start this season as they have been dealing with a lot of key injuries and they are also in the middle of a big slump as they have been losing a lot of games over the last week. The Cubs haven't been any better though as they have also been losing a lot of games over the last week being in a big slump themselves. With both teams playing so badly lately and both offenses not producing a whole lot either, the pitching matchup is going to be really important here and the Phillies definitely have the edge there. The Phillies have Nola starting and he hasn't been great this season but he was their ace last year and is a very reliable starter for them to lean on when they desperately need a win to turn things around. The Cubs are starting Taillon in this game and he has been terrible this season, not only giving up a ton of runs in his starts but also the team losing a lot of games he pitches in even when there is no decision for him. The Phillies are going to be desperate to snap their losing streak here at home and this is a good opportunity for them against another team who has been playing just as bad over the last week. The best way to place a bet here is on the Phillies to win this game.

Cubs Phillies Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Saturday, May 20, 2023 (4:05 pm ET start time) is Phillies 7 Cubs 4.

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Chicago Cubs: 11-19 (-8.5 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 3-7 (-6.7 units) on the moneyline against NL East opponents. 8-2 UNDER against NL East opponents. 35-22 UNDER as a road underdog of +125 to +175. 

Philadelphia Phillies: 111-77 (+10.4 units) on the moneyline in home games. 72-47 (+11.2 units) on the moneyline at home when the total is 7 to 8.5. 10-5 UNDER as a home favorite of -110 or higher. 23-17 UNDER in the first half of the season.

Chicago Cubs:  C. Bellinger (CF) Ques Fri - Knee. N. Hoerner (SS) Prob Fri - Hamstring. A. Sampson (SP) Out indefinitely - Knee. B. Boxberger (RP) Out indefinitely - Forearm. K. Hendricks (SP) Late May - Shoulder. C. Heuer (RP) Early June - Elbow. E. Roberts (RP) out for season - Elbow.

Philadelphia Phillies:  J. Alvarado (RP) Early June - Elbow. C. Pache (LF) Mid June - Knee. D. Hall (1B) Mid June - Thumb. N. Song (SP) Out indefinitely - Back. R. Marchan (C) Out indefinitely - Hand. R. Hoskins (1B) out for season - Knee.

“We’ve got to win that game. We’ve got to pitch better on the back end. Offense did enough tonight, played good defense overall. We’ve got to cash that win in.” - David Ross after his team’s loss against the Astros in their game on Wednesday.

“I loved the fight in the guys. We got the winning run to the plate in the ninth after giving up three in the bottom of the eighth. They keep fighting. I’m proud of them for that.” - Rob Thomson after his team’s loss against the Giants in their game on Wednesday.

Christopher Morel (R) CF

Dansby Swanson (R) SS

Ian Happ (S) LF

Seiya Suzuki (R) RF

Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B

Matt Mervis (L) 1B

Trey Mancini (R) DH

Yan Gomes (R) C

Miles Mastrobuoni (L) 2B

Bryson Stott (L) 2B

Trea Turner (R) SS

Bryce Harper (L) DH

Nick Castellanos (R) RF

Kyle Schwarber (L) LF

J.T. Realmuto (R) C

Alec Bohm (R) 3B

Brandon Marsh (L) CF

Kody Clemens (L) 1B

Batting Average:  Christopher Morel (.371)

Hits:  Ian Happ (46)

Home Runs:  Patrick Wisdom (12)

RBI:  Patrick Wisdom (23)

Stolen Bases:  Nico Hoerner (12)

Wins:  Justin Steele (6)

Saves:  Brad Boxberger (2)

ERA:  Jeremiah Estrada (0.00)

Batting Average:  Cristian Pache (.360)

Hits:  Nick Castellanos (51)

Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber (10)

RBI:  Alec Bohm (32)

Stolen Bases:  J.T. Realmuto (7)

Wins:  Aaron Nola (3)

Saves:  Jose Alvarado (5)

ERA:  Jeff Hoffman (0.00)

Managers:

Chicago Cubs: David Ross (4th season)

Philadelphia Phillies: Rob Thomson (2nd season)