MLB Betting Previews – Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies
The Chicago Cubs and the NL East leading Philadelphia Phillies square-off in Game 2 of a four-game weekend series this Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network.
BET ON BASEBALL GAMES TODAY USING RUN LINES, MONEY LINES AND TOTALS AT BODOG! 10% SIGNUP BONUS IS YOURS TODAY!
MLB Betting Previews – Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies
Date/Time: Friday, June 10 7:05 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
Broadcast: MLB Network
Cubs at Phillies lines by Bodog.com
Moneyline: Phillies -210
Over/Under: 7 (-115)
CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —>
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG SPORTSBOOK —–>
Chat about MLB In our Baseball Handicapping Forums —>
Chicago has won just two games in its last 10, but comes into this series off a 4-1 victory over Cincinnati as a 124 road underdog on Wednesday night. Heading into Thursday night’s Game 1 the Cubs were 11.5 games in back of St. Louis in the NL Central with an overall record of 24-36; 12-19 at home and 12-17 on the road.
Putting the ball in play has not been an issue for Chicago as it is ranked second in the National League in hitting with a .269 team batting average. Getting runners across the plate as been another story as it is ranked ninth in runs scored with 245.
Pitching has been the major issue for the Cubs this year as they are ranked last in the NL with a 4.80 team ERA. At least they may have a fighting chance in this game with Carlos Zambrano on the mound. He is 5-2 with a 3.98 ERA in 13 previous starts and 4-3 against the Phillies lifetime with a 3.60 ERA.
Philadelphia took two out of three from the LA Dodgers earlier in the week to run its record to an NL-best 37-25, but it is just 4-6 in its last 10 games. The Phillies are 16-14 on the road this season and 21-11 at home. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Consistency throughout the lineup has been Philadelphia’s primary concern this season. Ryan Howard is having a tremendous year with 48 RBI and 13 home runs, but the team is ranked eighth in the NL in total runs scored with 246.
Staff ‘ace’ Roy Halladay will get the start in Friday’s game. The reigning NL Cy Young winner is 8-3 in 13 starts this season with a 2.56 ERA and a WHIP of 1.07. Lifetime against Chicago, he is 0-3 with an ERA of 4.50.
This series will be the first meeting between the two this season, but the Cubs had a 4-2 edge in 2010 while the Phillies won the 2009 series 5-1. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of the last seven meetings.
This game has the makings of a classic pitching duel, but stick with Halladay to get his first win over Chicago as the Phillies to come out of it with the win.
MLB Gambling Trends:
CHC are 2-8 in their last 10 overall.
CHC are 2-8 in their last 10 games on grass.
CHC are 2-6 in their last 8 road games.
PHI are 24-9 in their last 33 Fri. games.
PHI are 55-26 in their last 81 home games.
PHI are 8-0 in Halladays last 8 Fri. starts.
Under is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings.
The Pick: Philadelphia 3 Chicago 1
