The MLB is in a full swing on Wednesday, September 28 as we have 15 games on the schedule, including this NL duel in Chicago, so make sure you don’t overlook the best Phillies vs. Cubs betting pick and odds.

Philadelphia and Chicago will play the second of a three-game series at Wrigley Field, and the Phillies are -180 moneyline favorites on BookMaker Sportsbook, while the total is set at N/A runs. These NL rivals have met three times this year before this series, and shockingly, the Cubs won all three games in Philadelphia.

Phillies split the series with the Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies lost eight of 11 games before this series with the Cubs, and they were swept by the divisional foes Atlanta Braves in a three-game series along the way. However, the Phillies managed to beat Atlanta in the opening two games of a four-game series in Philadelphia, scoring ten and allowing just one run in return, but Atlanta bounced back with two wins to split the series. Philly is still fighting with the Milwaukee Brewers for a wildcard spot in the NL and currently is a win above.

The Phillies and the Braves provided a real spectacle in Game 4 of the series as they played two extra innings, but the home fans weren’t happy with the outcome as Atlanta secured an 8-7 win. Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm led the team with two RBIs apiece, while Schwarber also scored three runs. Kyle Gibson (10-7) didn’t play well as he allowed five runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings. Andrew Bellatti (4-4) took a loss.

Aaron Nola (10-12) is getting his 31st start of the year when he takes on the Cubs on Wednesday. The 29-year-old right-hander has a rock-solid 3.28 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 218/29 K/BB ratio across 192.1 innings of work.

Cubs won the series over the Pirates

The Chicago Cubs are playing very well of late as they won nine of 13 games prior to this series with Philadelphia and climbed to 10th place in the NL. After losing a home series to the Colorado Rockies, the Cubs bounced back with wins against Miami and Pittsburgh. They won three of four games against the Pirates on the road.

The Cubs scored eight runs between the 5th and 8th inning in an 8-3 victory over the Pirates in Game 4 of that series. Patrick Wisdom was excellent with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Esteban Quiroz, Ian Happ, and Alfonso Rivas had a multi-hit game. Adrian Sampson improved to a 3-5 record after surrendering only a run on four hits with three strikeouts and no walks over 6.0 innings.

Hayden Wesneski (2-1) will start for the third time this year when he faces the Phillies on Wednesday. The 24-year-old right-hander owns a 2.45 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 24/4 K/BB ratio in 22.0 innings.

Trends:

Philadelphia:

  • 12-2 in the last 14 vs. National League Central rivals
  • 5-0 in the last five Wednesday games

Chicago:

  • 1-4 in the last five home games
  • 1-5 in the last six home games vs. a right-handed starter

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs Pick

Hayden Wesneski has been impressive in his four major league starts, but he will be facing the Phillies, who need to get a win as they are fighting for a wildcard spot, and I don’t think they will be lenient toward the rookie pitcher. Aaron Nola, on the other end, is experiencing his best month of the campaign as he register a 2.08 ERA in four starts and allowed just five runs in that stretch. The Cubs score only 3.98 on average against right-handed pitchers, while Philadelphia is averaging 4.84 against the righties.

Pick: Take the Phillies at -1.5 Run Line (+110)

The Total

Although I expect the visitors to cause trouble to rookie Wesneski early on, I don’t think they will explode offensively in this one. Also, given how Nola is playing of late, it’s hard to see the Cubs score more than a run or two off of Aaron. Under is 13-5 in the Cubs’ last 18 overall; Under is 22-8-3 in Chicago’s previous 33 home games, while Under is 11-3 in the Cubs’ last 14 games vs. a right-handed starter.

Pick: Go Under N/A runs (-110)