Chicago @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 7, 2018 ) Philadelphia 3, Chi. Cubs 4

A day after helping the Philadelphia Phillies gain ground in the National League East race, the Chicago Cubs will try to damage the host Phillies’ playoff hopes when the NL contenders begin a three-game series Friday. Chicago leads the NL Central by 4 1/2 games over St. Louis after opening an 11-game road trip with a 5-4 win Thursday at Atlanta, which leads the Phillies by three games in the NL East.

The Phillies have lost eight of their last 11, but they rallied for an 8-6 win over Washington on Wednesday and gained ground thanks to the Cubs’ win over Atlanta on their day off. After the Cubs leave town, the Phillies will play 12 of their next 15 against teams with losing record, but first they have to deal with the NL’s best team - and one of its hottest. Chicago has won eight of its last nine and expects to have former MVP Kris Bryant back in the lineup as early as Saturday for the first time since July 23. The Cubs haven’t lost a series since dropping two of three at St. Louis from July 27-29.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago Plus, NBC 10 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jose Quintana (11-9, 4.33 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (7-10, 4.76)

Quintana has been inconsistent, but he has pitched better in his last two outings, allowing three runs over 10 innings. The 29-year-old held Cincinnati to two runs over five frames in a win Saturday, snapping a three-start winless streak. Quintana is 0-1 with a 5.94 ERA in three starts against the Phillies.

Pivetta started the month with three straight quality starts, but he has been knocked around in his last two outings. The 25-year-old was tagged for five runs over 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision at Toronto on Saturday after giving up six runs in 3 2/3 frames in his previous outing versus the New York Mets. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two meetings with the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 2B/OF Ben Zobrist is 10-for-21 with four multi-hit games during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Phillies C Jorge Alfaro is 8-for-26 with two homers and five RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Cubs OF Jason Heyward left Thursday’s game with a right hamstring injury after diving for a ball in the outfield and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Phillies 4