Series Preview Phillies, Cubs, Pitching Duels ~ Philadelphia Baseball Review

The Phillies enter tonight’s series opener at Chicago’s Wrigley Field with an eight-game lead in the NL East. The Cubs have struggled recently, but this series opens a six-game road trip that includes a trip to Atlanta. The Phillies then have an off day on Monday before hosting the Dodgers for a three-game set in a potential postseason preview.

Where: Wrigley Field, Tuesday through Thursday.

Pitching duels and starting times: RHP Michael Mercado (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-4, 3.60) Tuesday at 8:05 p.m.; RHP Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.73) vs. LHP Shota Imanaga (7-2, 3.07) Wednesday at 8:05 p.m.; LHP Cristopher Sanchez (6-3, 2.41) vs. RHP Jameson Taillon (4-4, 3.03) Thursday at 2:20 p.m.

Series: The Phillies and Cubs have not met this season. The Cubs lead the standings 1,243-1,125.

Cubs Update (39-46): The Cubs have won three of their last 10 games and are just 11-19 in their last 30 games. Wesneski faced the Phils once in September 2022, allowing one run in five innings to secure the win. However, he struggled in his last appearance last week against the Giants, allowing two home runs and three runs in four innings. Christopher Morel leads the club with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs, but has just a .198 batting average. Overall, the team has a .228 batting average this year, the sixth-worst in baseball.

Phillies Update (55-29): Mercado is the next man in line to fill the No. 5 rotation spot vacated by Taijuan Walker and Spencer Turnbull. He was a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his June 23 call-up. This season, he posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47 1/3 innings at Triple-A. The Phillies have a 22-15 road record this season, while the pitching staff’s 3.19 road ERA is the best in the majors.

Injuries: Cubs — RHP Keegan Thompson (ribs), RHP Javier Assad (forearm), RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (forearm), OF Mike Tauchman (groin), LHP Jordan Wicks (oblique), RHP Ben Brown (neck), 2B Nick Madrigal (hand), RHP Adbert Alzolay (forearm), RHP Yency Almonte (shoulder), RHP Julian Merryweather (shoulder) and RHP Caleb Kilian (shoulder) are on the injured list.

Phillies — 1B Bryce Harper (hamstring), RHP Taijuan Walker (blister), RHP Spencer Turnbull (shoulder), DH Kyle Schwarber (groin), JT Realmuto (knee), RHP Michael Rucker (hand) and RHP Dylan Covey (shoulder).

Next: The Phillies travel to Atlanta to play three games against their division rival Braves.