Philadelphia @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( May 27, 2016 ) Philadelphia 2, Chi. Cubs 6
The Chicago Cubs slugged three home runs in a series-opening victory over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, and they’ll have two of their biggest bats back in the lineup for the second of the three-game set Saturday. Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo should return to the lineup after getting the day off in Chicago’s 6-2 win Friday, a move that paid off as the Cubs’ right-handed sluggers pounded three homers against lefty Adam Morgan.
The Cubs have scored 27 runs during a three-game winning streak and hope to continue the hot hitting in support of right-hander Kyle Hendricks, who is 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA in four home starts. Chicago has scored only 23 runs in Hendricks’ eight starts and managed three or fewer runs in half of them. The Phillies haven’t fared any better when right-hander Jerad Eickhoff is on the mound, scoring just 24 runs in his nine starts with two or fewer in five of them. Philadelphia has lost five of its last seven games.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jerad Eickhoff (2-6, 3.86 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (2-4, 3.30)
Eickhoff has been a solid contributor to the rotation, posting quality starts in six of his nine outings. The 25-year-old threw seven scoreless innings in a shutout of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday to snap a six-start winless streak. Eickhoff faced the Cubs last season, allowing just one run and three hits over seven innings with eight strikeouts in a no-decision.
Hendricks is winless in his last three starts and has taken the loss in the last two. The last one was a tough one to swallow, as he allowed just one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings but was on the wrong end of a shutout loss to the San Francisco Giants. Hendricks beat the Phillies last season, limiting them to three runs and four hits over 6 2/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs are assured of finishing .500 or better for the eighth straight month since manager Joe Maddon took over.
2. Phillies OF Odubel Herrera went 2-for-5 Friday and is batting .358 since moving to the leadoff spot April 20.
3. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 22-for-50 during a 13-game hitting streak and has reached base in 32 straight starts.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Phillies 2