Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Prediction, 7/8/2021 MLB Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs

Date: Thursday, July 8, 2021

Location: Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL

TV: Marquee Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Philadelphia (+110) Chicago (-135)

Zach Eflin and the Philadelphia Phillies (41-42, 2nd in NL East) head to Wrigley Field on Thursday where they'll meet the Chicago Cubs (42-44, 4th in NL Central). The Phillies open this contest at +110 while the Cubs are coming in at -135. The over/under opens at 8. The men taking the mound are Zach Eflin and Adbert Alzolay.

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As a team, the Philadelphia Phillies are putting up 4.5 runs per contest, which has them at 14th in MLB. They have notched a total of 370 runs and hold an on-base percentage of .315. The Phillies have tallied 132 doubles as a unit and have knocked 94 baseballs out of the stadium. They have accrued 354 runs batted in in addition to 659 hits on the year, and their average at the plate is at .239. Philadelphia has a slugging percentage of .397 and have been called out on strikes 783 times, while drawing a walk on 279 occasions.

The Phillies hold a team earned run average of 4.37 on the season (18th in MLB), and they have rung up 771 batters. They have walked 251 opposing players and their FIP is 4.16 as a squad so far this season. They have accumulated a K/BB ratio of 3.07 and the pitching staff has a collective WHIP of 1.29. Phillies pitchers have allowed 107 home runs in addition to 386 runs in total (18th in baseball).

Phillies pitchers have stepped onto the hill with runners on base 71 times as well as having 96 appearances in high leverage situations. The relief pitchers have 35 holds for the year (25th in MLB). The Phillies relief pitchers have accumulated a save percentage of 46.3% and stepped onto the hill in 78 save situations. They have recorded 19 saves on the campaign and have blown 22 out of their 41 save opportunities. The relief pitchers have inherited 107 runners so far this season with 43.0% of them crossed home plate. The Phillies have dispatched 258 relievers to the hill this season.

The Phillies have converted 68.2% of baseballs in play into outs out of 6,540 innings on the diamond, which has them sitting 25th in MLB. The Philadelphia Phillies have earned a total of 2,180 putouts thus far, in addition to 728 assists and 49 errors. Their fielding rate is holding steady at .983 which is 15th in MLB, and have a total of 536 double plays.

Eflin has taken the mound for 574 innings and has 477 K's during his pro baseball career. His ERA is 4.55 (290 ER's allowed) and his career WHIP is 1.315. He has given up 613 base knocks (9.6 hits per 9 innings) and has 142 walks. Eflin (32-39 career win-loss record) sits with a FIP of 4.48 and he has gone up against 2,449 opposing batters during his time in the major leagues.

The Cubs hold a team slugging percentage of .397 and they average 4.19 runs per game (19th in the league). They have tallied 108 two-baggers, while walking 275 times as well as notching 360 runs. Chicago has knocked in 113 home runs so far this year and 343 RBIs. They have been rung up on 836 instances (4th in MLB) and have a total of 627 hits. The Chicago Cubs have a team OBP of .304 as well as a team batting average of .226 for the season.

The Cubs have a team WHIP of 1.312 in addition to having a FIP of 4.53 as a pitching staff so far this year. Their strikeout to walk ratio is 2.32 (764 strikeouts against 329 walks). They are sitting at 15th in baseball as a pitching staff in total hits relinquished with 659. They have conceded 108 homers and they allow 4.54 runs per 9 innings (15th in the league). The Chicago pitching staff have allowed 380 runs for the season while having an ERA of 4.06 (340 earned runs conceded).

Chicago relievers hold an inherited score percentage of 30.4% of 138 inherited base runners. Their relief pitchers have taken the field 94 times in high leverage situations in addition to 88 occasions with runners on base. With 90 save situations, the Cubs have compiled 57 holds and 9 blown saves. They are currently ranked 4th in MLB holding a save percentage of 71.9%, and they have sent 318 relievers to the mound on the season. Chicago has called on bullpen pitchers to take the mound in 32 save chances and they have walked away with 23 saves.

The Chicago Cubs have twisted 71 double plays and have accounted for a fielding rate of .986 (7th in baseball). The Cubs have accrued 824 assists, 45 errors and have accumulated 2,259 putouts for the year. In 6,777 innings played, the Cubs have earned a defensive efficiency of 70.8% (7th in pro baseball).

Alzolay (6-10 record in his career) has a 4.50 ERA while giving up 7.0 hits per 9 innings. He has a K/BB ratio of 2.74 and he has faced 441 opposing batters during his pro baseball career. He has given up 53 earned runs while earning a WHIP of 1.179 and being the owner of a FIP of 4.9. During his career, Alzolay has given up 82 hits while earning 118 K's in 106 innings pitched.

Who will win tonight's MLB game ATS?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Chicago (-135)

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