Saturday, April 5, 2:20 PM on TCN, CSCh

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

Philadelphia - Lee, C (1-0) vs. Chicago - Samardzija, J (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Saturday afternoon the Philadelphia Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the mound to face the Chicago Cubs and Jeff Samardzija.  Both pitchers will be making their 2nd appearances of the season. Lee goes into his second start of the season after a rough outing on Opening Day.  Although he picked up his first win of the season, the numbers were tough to look at.  In just five innings of work, Lee surrendered 11 hits and 8 runs (all earned) with just 1 strikeout and 1 walk.  One afternoon took his ERA to a staggering 14.40, well above last season’s 2.87 and the largest since the 2007 season when he finished with 6.29.   But one game does not a season make and Lee will get a chance to rebound against the Cubs. 

Lee might have trouble against a Cubs’ lineup that has seen him enough times to get some hits off him.  Starlin Castro has faced Lee 12 times and come away with 3 hits and 2 RBIs.  But Lee has struck out Castro 6 times.

Jeff Samardzija’s first start of the season was a lot better than Lee’s but he didn’t get a decision out of it.  In 7 innings, Samardzija gave up just 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3.  More importantly, he didn’t give up a single run and of the 5 hits, only one was for extra bases. 

But against the Phillies, Samardzija has had some misfortune.  Chase Utley has had the most experience against Samardzija and the numbers reflect it.  In 13 at-bats, Utley has picked up 4 hits (three of them doubles and one a triple) and 4 RBIs for a .308 average against Samardzija.       

Philadelphia Betting Trends

Philadelphia is 1-2-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Philadelphia is +0.7

Chicago Betting Trends

Chicago is 0-1-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Chicago is -1.0

Injuries to Watch

Philadelphia 

04/03/14 SS Jimmy Rollins Personal doubtful
03/28/14 P Cole Hamels Bicep 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 LF Darin Ruf Oblique 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Ethan Martin Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 2B Freddy Galvis Staph Infection 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Miguel Gonzalez Shoulder 60-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Mike Adams Shoulder 15-day DL (3/26)

Chicago 

04/03/14 RF Nate Schierholtz Rest questionable
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)
03/28/14 P Jake Arrieta Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Kyuji Fujikawa Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago

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