Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, Preview and Odds - 06/29/2023

Game Time: 8:05 pm ET, Thursday, June 29, 2023

Venue:  Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL

Where to Watch:  MLB Network

DraftKings:  Moneyline odds:  Phillies -105, Cubs -115; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

Bet365:  Moneyline odds:  Phillies -105, Cubs -115; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

BetMGM:  Moneyline odds:  Phillies -105, Cubs -115; Over/Under:  9.5 runs

Philadelphia Phillies:  41-37 (3rd place, NL East)

Chicago Cubs:  37-40 (3rd place, NL Central)

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Philadelphia Phillies:  7-3 last 10

Chicago Cubs:  7-3 last 10

The Phillies are entering this series off of a win and won their 3-game series against the New York Mets 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 41-37 record overall and have a road record of 20-23. This is the series finale of a 3-game series with the Cubs on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. They also won the series opener of this series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 13th in the MLB with a .738 OPS. Aaron Nola is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Taijuan Walker is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 8-3 with a 4.10 ERA this season. His team won their last 4 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 5 Ks on 3 hits through 6 IP against the New York Mets.

The Cubs are entering this series off of a loss and split their 2-game series against the St Louis Cardinals 1-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 37-40 record overall and have a home record of 20-18. This is the 3rd game of a 3-game series with the Phillies on Thursday with the 2nd game of this series still to be played on Wednesday. They also lost the 1st game of this series on Tuesday. Their offense ranks 14th in the MLB with a .727 OPS. Drew Smyly is their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Kyle Hendricks is making his start in this game on Thursday. He is 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA this season. His team won their last 3 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 1 earned run, 0 homers, and 3 BB with 2 strikeouts on 2 hits through 6.1 innings played against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The current betting odds have the Cubs listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cubs got off to a bad start this season but they are rolling now as they have been playing a lot better over the last few weeks. Their offense has been good and they have been a lot better in their home games too. The Phillies have also been rolling lately with a good offense too but they do have a losing record in their road games and will struggle more in this series with the Cubs playing so well at home lately. The Cubs also have Hendricks starting in this game and he has been a solid starter for them all season, not giving up many runs in his starts. The Phillies also have a solid starter on the mound here with Walker starting as he has been really good in his starts lately, but he hasn't been as reliable of a starter all season as he has had some really bad starts where he gave up a lot of runs and he hasn't been as good in his road starts either. He will struggle more with this hot Cubs offense at home and it will be enough for the Cubs to defend any lead they get and edge out the Phillies at home here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cubs to win this game.

Phillies Cubs Prediction:  Our MLB Pick for Thursday, June 29, 2023 (8:05 pm ET start time) is Cubs 2 Phillies 1.

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Philadelphia Phillies: 21-11 (+7.6 units) on the moneyline when the money line is -100 to -150. 49-31 (+7.7 units) on the moneyline against NL Central opponents. 23-17 UNDER in road games. TAIJUAN WALKER is 10-5 UNDER on the road when the money line is +125 to -125.

Chicago Cubs: 16-23 (-7.7 units) on the moneyline when the money line is +125 to -125. 6-11 (-7.6 units) on the moneyline against NL East opponents. 11-6 UNDER against NL East opponents. KYLE HENDRICKS is 24-15 UNDER against NL East opponents.

Philadelphia Phillies:  S. Dominguez (RP) Mid July - Oblique. N. Song (SP) Early July - Back. R. Hoskins (1B) out for season - Knee.

Chicago Cubs:  A. Sampson (SP) Late July - Knee. M. Stroman (SP) day-to-day - Finger. B. Hughes (RP) out for season - Knee. C. Heuer (RP) out for season - Elbow. B. Boxberger (RP) Early July - Forearm. P. Wisdom (3B) Out indefinitely - Wrist. N. Burdi (RP) Late July - Appendix. E. Roberts (RP) out for season - Elbow.

"He's swinging at strikes. He's not chasing. He's having really good at-bats right now.” - Rob Thomson on Brandon Marsh after his team’s win against the Cubs in their game on Tuesday.

“Every mistake it seemed like he paid for today. The cutter just not getting there. The breaking ball for the homer to Marsh just looked like, no bite to that one.” - David Ross after his team’s loss against the Phillies in their game on Tuesday.

Kyle Schwarber (L) LF

Trea Turner (R) SS

Nick Castellanos (R) RF

Bryce Harper (L) DH

Alec Bohm (R) 3B

Bryson Stott (L) 2B

Brandon Marsh (L) CF

Kody Clemens (L) 1B

Garrett Stubbs (L) C

Nico Hoerner (R) 2B

Seiya Suzuki (R) RF

Ian Happ (S) LF

Christopher Morel (R) CF

Dansby Swanson (R) SS

Trey Mancini (R) DH

Cody Bellinger (L) 1B

Yan Gomes (R) C

Nick Madrigal (R) 3B

Batting Average:  Cristian Pache (.324)

Hits:  Nick Castellanos (93)

Home Runs:  Kyle Schwarber (20)

RBI:  Alec Bohm (47)

Stolen Bases:  Trea Turner (15)

Wins:  Taijuan Walker (8)

Saves:  Craig Kimbrel (11)

ERA:  Jose Alvarado (1.61)

Batting Average:  Nico Hoerner (.282)

Hits:  Nico Hoerner (82)

Home Runs:  Patrick Wisdom (14)

RBI:  Nico Hoerner (40)

Stolen Bases:  Nico Hoerner (17)

Wins:  Marcus Stroman (9)

Saves:  Adbert Alzolay (4)

ERA:  Adbert Alzolay (1.85)

Managers:

Philadelphia Phillies: Rob Thomson (2nd season)

Chicago Cubs: David Ross (4th season)