With less than a week remaining before the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, all 30 teams are making a final push to end the first half of the season on a high note. Among Thursday night’s games is the finale of a four-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs. After snapping an 11-game losing skid with yesterday’s triumph, the Cubs will aim to salvage a series split in tonight’s showdown. The MLB betting odds view this matchup as virtually dead even in their Phillies vs Cubs prediction.
Phillies vs Cubs Game Info
Philadelphia Phillies (41-43, 17-27 Away) vs. Chicago Cubs (43-44, 27-15 Home)
Date: Thursday, Jul. 8, 2021
Start Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Location: Wrigley Field — Chicago, IL
Coverage: ESPN
Starting Pitchers: PHI: Zach Eflin (3-6) | CHC: Adbert Alzolay (4-8)
Phillies vs Cubs Betting Odds
Moneyline: PHI: (-103) | CHC: (-113)
Run Line: PHI: -1.5 (+160) | CHC: +1.5 (-200)
Total: 7.5 — Over: (+100) | Under: (-121)
Phillies vs Cubs MLB Betting Overview
Phillies Outlook
The Phillies clobbered Cubs pitching in the first two games of this series. After totaling 13 and 15 runs on Monday and Tuesday respectively, Philadelphia was held in check last night. It was the heart of the order doing most of the damage on Wednesday. Andrew McCutchen went yard while J.T. Realmuto had two hits and scored a run. Bryce Harper accounted for the other tally and also finished with an RBI. Winners in four of their last six games, the Phillies will look to take three of four at Wrigley Field tonight in this MLB betting toss-up.
Starting on the mound for the Phillies tonight is 27-year-old Zach Eflin. After a pair of rough outings on the west coast, Eflin has bounced back to allow just three runs on eight hits over his last two starts. He pitched a full six innings in both. Despite his poor record and 4.13 ERA, Eflin certainly has plenty of talent.
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Cubs Outlook
Boy, did the Cubs need last night’s victory in the worst way. After losing 11 consecutive games, Chicago finally managed to stop the bleeding with a convincing 8-3 victory. Anthony Rizzo and Joc Pederson both led the charge offensively on Wednesday. Each finished with a pair of hits, two runs scored and one RBI. Patrick Wisdom drove in a pair of runs while Nico Hoerner had two hits, scored once and drove in another for the Cubs. Chicago will look to keep the momentum going tonight despite finding themselves as MLB betting run line underdogs.
Adbert Alzolay will take the ball as the starting pitcher for the Cubs tonight. After a slew of shaky performances, Alzolay pitched a lot better in his last start. Despite surrendering a pair of home runs, he limited the damage to just three runs on five hits over seven full innings. He struck out six in the process. It marked Alzolay’s longest start since May 22nd.
Phillies vs Cubs MLB Betting Trends
- Phillies are 5-0 SU in their last five games following an outright loss.
- Cubs are 5-1 in their last six games after scoring five or more runs in their previous game.
- Phillies are 9-2 SU in their last 11 times playing in Game 4 of a series.
- Over is 4-0 in the Phillies’ last four games.
- Under is 10-4-1 in the Cubs’ last 15 games.
- Over is 5-0 in the last five Phillies vs Cubs head-to-head matchups in Chicago.
Phillies vs Cubs Stats
- Philadelphia is averaging 4.44 runs per game (RPG) this season (No. 14 in MLB)
- Philadelphia is surrendering 4.69 RPG on the season (No. 19 in MLB)
- Chicago is averaging 4.23 RPG this season (No. 18 in MLB)
- Chicago is surrendering 4.40 RPG (No. 15 in MLB)
Phillies vs Cubs Weather Report
According to Forecast.io
Status: Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 67℉
Humidity: 88%
Precipitation: 0%
Wind: 12 MPH (blowing in)
Phillies vs Cubs Prediction
Based on the way both of these teams have been swinging the bat lately, it’s hard not to look at the over for a Phillies vs Cubs prediction. Even with the wind expected to be blowing in at Wrigley Field tonight, there is still a chance for offensive fireworks. While both pitched well in their most recent starts, neither Zach Eflin nor Adbert Alzolay has been able to maintain consistency this season. This head-to-head series has trended to the over big time as well. Each of the last five matchups in Chicago has exceeded the total and nine of the last 11 in the series overall have gone over. With the MLB odds offering an even money payout, we’ll bet on offense in this series finale.
Pick: Over 7.5 (+100)
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