Chicago @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Philadelphia 0
The Chicago Cubs hope to gain ground in the National League playoff race with two cracks at the worst team in the majors Friday. The Cubs will begin their four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a doubleheader after the scheduled series opener was rained out Thursday.
Chicago is virtually a lock for the playoffs with a nine-game lead for the second wild card, but the Cubs still hope to chase down Pittsburgh (2 1/2 games back) and perhaps St. Louis (seven games back) to improve their postseason draw. The youthful Cubs have been one of the hottest teams in the league of late, going 33-18 since the All-Star break including a 28-11 mark since July 29. Changes are coming to Philadelphia’s front office, as the club announced Thursday it will not extend the contract of general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. The move is no surprise given the Phillies own the worst record in the majors, but they swept a three-game series from the Cubs in the first meeting this season.
TV: 5:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (18-6, 2.03 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Adam Morgan (5-5, 4.42)
Arrieta has been perhaps the most dominant pitcher in the majors of late, winning seven straight starts while posting a 0.36 ERA. The 29-year-old did not allow an earned run in six of those outings, including each of his last four turns. Arrieta has racked up 34 strikeouts over his last four starts while walking three and allowing 12 hits.
Morgan has shown promise in his first stint in the majors, but he endured one of the roughest outings of his young career last time out. The 25-year-old allowed a career-high six runs over 6 1/3 innings in a loss at Boston. Morgan had recorded quality starts in four of his previous five outings before being roughed up by the Red Sox.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs have homered in each of their last eight games at Citizens Bank Park dating to 2012.
2. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is hitless in his last 28 at-bats.
3. Chicago has recorded at least one extra-base hit in 42 consecutive contests – its longest such streak since a 52-game run in 2011.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Phillies 1