Saturday, July 25, 2015

Wrigley Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Cole Hamels (5-7) vs. Jason Hammel (5-4)

The Philadelphia Phillies visit Wrigley Field on Saturday to play the Chicago Cubs. The probable starters are Cole Hamels for the Phillies and Jason Hammel for the Cubs. The opening line for this matchup has Philadelphia at +145 and Chicago at -155. The Phillies, with a 47-51 run line record, cover the spread 47% of the time. They also have a 51-39 over/under record. The Cubs are 43-52 against the run line and have a 37-51 over/under record. They cover the spread 46% of the time.

The Phillies come into this game with a 35-63 record, and they are 12-37 away from home. Cole Hamels has an earned run average of 3.91 and is 5-7 so far on the season while having a 1.25 WHIP. In his starts, the Phillies are -- over his 119.2 innings pitched this season while giving up 113 hits during those innings. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 0-1. His teammates are averaging 0 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 328 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 3.57. The bullpen has struck out 322 and walked 143 batters this season while opposing teams hit .257 against them. Philadelphia has a team average of 10.12 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.38 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 4.71, they are 29th in the league.

Philadelphia ranks 23rd in the league in team batting average at .246 while hitting .249 on the road. The Phillies on-base percentage sits at .298, which puts them at 27th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .364. With 105 hits, Ben Revere leads the team while his team ranks 20th in hits per game with 8.37.

With a 51-44 overall record, Chicago will come into this game 25-21 at home. Jason Hammel is starting this game 5-4 for the season with an earned run average of 2.82 and a WHIP of 0.98. In his starts, the Cubs are 8-10 and he has allowed 85 hits over 108.2 innings pitched this season. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 7-11. His teammates score an average of 3.7 runs a game when he pitches. The bullpen has given up 259 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 3.26. The Cubs bullpen has struck out 283 batters and walked 120 this season while opposing teams have hit .231 against them. Chicago has a team average of 7.93 hits per game and are averaging 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.32, they are 5th in the league.

They rank 26th in the league in team batting average with a .239 average while hitting .229 at home. The Cubs on-base percentage sits at .316, which puts them at 15th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .372. With 98 hits, Anthony Rizzo leads the team while his team ranks 25th in hits per game with 8.14.

In terms of team defense, the Phillies have a fielding percentage of .981 with 69 total errors, 954 assists and 2,589 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Cubs have accumlated 66 errors while having 971 assists and 2,585 put outs leading to a .982 fielding percentage.

Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends

The Philadelphia Phillies are 51-39 against the over/under so far this season

The Philadelphia Phillies are 47-51 against the run line so far this season

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 37-51 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 43-52 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Philadelphia Phillies

07/24/15 1B Ryan Howard Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
07/23/15 3B Maikel Franco Elbow is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Chicago Cubs
07/21/15 P Chad Billingsley Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/19)
07/02/15 P Aaron Harang Foot Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/2)
06/23/15 2B Chase Utley Ankle Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/22)
04/06/15 P Jonathan Pettibone Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 P Mario Hollands Arch Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6)
04/04/15 P Cliff Lee Arm Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/16)

Chicago Cubs

07/17/15 C Miguel Montero Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/12)
06/29/15 P Tsuyoshi Wada Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/23)
04/15/15 2B Tommy La Stella Ribs Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/9)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Guy's Pick: Take the Cubs

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