Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction, 5/21/2023 MLB Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies

Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023

Location: Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies (20-24) are hosting the Chicago Cubs (20-24) at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday. The expected starting pitchers will be Justin Steele and Zack Wheeler.

As a unit, the Chicago Cubs are scoring 4.9 runs per game, which is 10th in MLB. They have accounted for 216 runs scored and have an on-base percentage of .342. The Cubs have accumulated 75 two-baggers as a unit and have smacked 55 baseballs out of the park. They have tallied 208 RBI's and 407 hits on the campaign, and their batting average comes in at .267. Chicago has a slugging rate of .432 and have struck out 399 times, while taking a walk on 166 occasions.

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Their K/BB ratio is 2.87 and their pitching staff has earned a collective WHIP of 1.22. Cubs pitchers have allowed 42 long balls and 185 runs in total (9th in the league). Chicago has conceded 345 base knocks (8.0 per 9 innings) in addition to 176 earned runs. The Cubs have a team earned run average of 4.06 so far this year (13th in the league), and the staff has struck out 370 hitters. They have walked 129 opposing players and their FIP is 3.91 as a team over the course of the season.

The Cubs have sent 141 relief pitchers to the hill on the campaign. The relievers have inherited 43 runners on the campaign with 23.3% of those runners crossed home plate. They have accumulated 5 saves on the season and have blown 5 out of their 10 save chances. The Cubs relief pitchers have recorded a save rate of 50.0% and has come into the game in 31 save situations. The relief pitchers have a total of 20 holds so far this season (26th in the league). Cubs pitchers have entered the game with opponents on base 30 times in addition to having 33 appearances in high leverage situations.

The Cubs have turned 70.3% of balls hit into play into outs in their 3,510 innings, which has them ranked 7th in professional baseball. The Chicago Cubs have notched a total of 1,170 putouts so far this season, in addition to 406 assists and 20 errors. Their fielding percentage sits at .987 which has them ranked 10th in the majors, and have a total of 42 double plays.

Steele (14-12 record in his career) holds a FIP of 3.74 while he has faced 977 hitters during his time in the major leagues. He has allowed 203 base hits (7.9 hits per 9 innings) and has had 92 walks. His earned run average is 3.27 (84 earned runs allowed) and he has a WHIP of 1.275. Steele has taken the hill for 231 innings and has totaled 232 strikeouts in his pro baseball career.

The Philadelphia Phillies have recorded a team on-base percentage of .319 in addition to a team batting average of .258 on the season. They have been called out on strikes on 399 occasions (12th in baseball) and have accounted for 389 hits. Philadelphia has accumulated 45 home runs so far this year to go along with 176 RBIs. The Phillies have a team SLG% of .415 and they tally 4.18 runs per contest (22nd in the league). They have recorded 84 doubles, while getting a free base 127 times and putting up 184 runs.

The Phillies hold a team WHIP of 1.340 and are the owners of a FIP of 3.82 as a pitching staff so far this year. Their strikeout to walk ratio is 9.50 (404 strikeouts against 141 walks). They have a ranking of 14th in baseball as a pitching staff in total hits relinquished with 371. They have allowed 41 long balls and they surrender 5.23 runs per 9 innings (24th in baseball). The Philadelphia pitching staff have surrendered 222 runs this year and come in with a team ERA of 4.69 (199 earned runs allowed).

With 39 save situations, the Phillies have compiled 24 holds and 4 blown saves. Philadelphia has had relief pitchers enter the game in 15 save opportunities and they have come away with 11 saves. Their bullpen pitchers have stepped onto the mound 37 times in high leverage situations and on 36 occasions with base runners. Philadelphia bullpen pitchers hold an inherited score percentage of 45.9% of 61 inherited runners. They are currently ranked 3rd in the league holding a save percentage of 73.3%, and they have sent 153 relief pitchers onto the diamond for the season.

The Philadelphia Phillies have turned 20 double plays and have earned a fielding percentage of .986 (16th in pro baseball). The Phillies have recorded 352 assists, 22 errors and have amassed 1,147 putouts during this campaign. Out of their 3,441 innings played, the Phillies have a defensive efficiency of 67.2% (26th in pro baseball).

In his career, Wheeler has conceded 1,109 hits while he has totaled 1,250 K's in 1,237 frames. Wheeler (77-60 career record) has earned a 3.45 ERA and has conceded 8.1 hits per 9 innings. He has surrendered 474 earned runs while holding a WHIP of 1.202 and being the owner of a FIP of 3.3. His strikeout to walk ratio is 3.30 and he has faced 5,145 batters so far in his pro baseball career.

Who will win tonight's MLB game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Chicago

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