<p>
The Phillies took the opener of this series Tuesday night and shoot for the series victory when the teams meet for game two of this three-game set Wednesday night in Philly. Who do we like here for our free MLB pick?
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<h2>
MLB Betting Odds<br />
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<p>
Wednesday's MLB betting odds opened Philadelphia at around -115 over Chicago, with an over/under of nine runs. Both those figures were holding steady in the early betting action.
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<h2>
Cubs vs. Phillies Set-Up<br />
</h2>
<p>
Philadelphia grabbed the first game of this series Tuesday night 4-2, cashing in as a +120 home dog on the MLB betting line. That game was tied at 2-2 through six innings, but the Phillies scored once in the seventh and once in the eighth and hung on from there.
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<p>
Even with Tuesday's victory, Philadelphia is just 2-5 over its last seven games. At 61-58 overall the Phillies trail first-place Atlanta by nine games in the NL East, but they're also only two games behind St. Louis in the battle for the second National League wild-card spot.
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<p>
Meanwhile, with Tuesday's loss, Chicago is 1-3 over its last four games. At 64-55 overall the Cubs lead the NL Central by one game over the second-place Cardinals.
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<p>
This series is the second meeting between these two teams this season; back in May, they split four games at Wrigley Field.
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<h2>
Wednesday's Starting Arms<br />
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<p>
<a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/pitcherlog/70094&quot; title="Aaron Nola Pitching Logs">Nola</a>, by our strict standards, is 13/25 on quality starts this season but only one for his last three. Last Thursday he gave up three runs and seven hits through five innings of a 5-0 Philly loss to San Francisco. And over his last three starts, he's allowed eight runs and 17 hits through 18 2/3 innings.
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<p>
On the season the Phillies are 16-9 with Nola and 4-1 over his last five starts, although he can only take partial credit for that.
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<p>
Over his last three starts against the Cubs, two last year and one earlier this season, Nola allowed ten runs and 13 hits, including four homers, through 17 innings. Philadelphia lost two of those three games.
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<p>
Lefty and former Phillie <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/pitcherlog/39493&quot; title="Cole Hamels Pitching Log">Hamels</a> is 9/19 on "quality starts" this year but 0/2 since returning from a stint on the DL. Last Thursday he gave up five runs – four earned – and eight hits through just three innings against Cincinnati, although Chicago won that game anyway 12-5. Just prior to that he held Milwaukee scoreless on four hits through five frames but came up one inning short of a QS.
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<p>
On the season the Cubs are 13-6 with Hamels, 2-0 over his last two starts.
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<p>
In his only career start against his former team, back in May of this season, Hamels allowed three runs and nine hits through four innings of an 8-4 Chicago win.
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<h2>
Wednesday's Batting Splits<br />
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<p>
Chicago is batting .258/.336/.459 against right-handed pitching this season.
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<p>
Philadelphia is batting .251/.325/.432 against left-handed pitching this season. The Phillies also struck out 15 times Tuesday night.
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<h2>
The Bullpens<br />
</h2>
<p>
The Cubs bullpen owns a 4.04 ERA this season and a 1.35 WHIP while allowing a .737 OPS.
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<p>
The Phillies pen owns a 4.73 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP while allowing an .804 OPS.
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<h2>
Totals Report<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Unders are 60-54 in Cubs games this season.
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<li>
Unders are 61-55 in Phillies games this season.
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<li>
Unders are 33-27 in games played at Citizens Bank Park this season.
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<li>
Overs are 3-2 in Cubs-Phillies games this season.
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<li>
Overs are 15-9 with Nola this season.
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</ul>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/mlb/matchup/1082273">Cubs at Phillies MLB Match-up Stats</a> </span>
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</ul>
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