Date: June 9, 2025
Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
The Chicago Cubs (40-25) are heading to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (37-28) in the second game of their three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. This matchup showcases two strong National League teams with impressive pitching and solid hitting, setting the stage for an exciting game. While predictive models give the Phillies a slight advantage, the Cubs’ well-rounded lineup and dependable pitching suggest it will be a tightly fought battle.
Starting Pitchers
Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (6-2, 2.96 ERA)
Wheeler has been a solid presence in the Phillies’ rotation, demonstrating great control and effectively minimizing runs. He’s particularly tough when playing at home, using the cozy atmosphere of Citizens Bank Park to throw hitters off their game. Wheeler’s skills in generating ground balls and strikeouts will be crucial when facing the Cubs’ strong lineup.
Chicago Cubs: Matthew Boyd (5-3, 3.02 ERA)
Boyd has shown great consistency this season, boasting a 3.01 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP across 12 starts. While he’s been a bit less effective when playing away (3.49 ERA), his latest performance against Washington was impressive, giving up only two runs in 7.1 innings. Boyd’s variety of pitches and his experience will challenge the Phillies’ batters, who have had their share of difficulties in consistently scoring runs.
Team Offense and Key Players
Philadelphia Phillies:
The Phillies’ offense is spearheaded by Trea Turner, a lively leadoff hitter known for his great speed and ability to get on base.
Kyle Schwarber brings some serious power to the heart of the lineup, able to turn the game around with just one swing.
The Phillies have had some tough times offensively, but lately they’ve been showing some promise, hitting well when there are runners in scoring position and coming through with important RBIs.
Jesús Luzardo, even though he’s a pitcher, has really stood out with his solid starts, playing a key role in stabilizing the rotation behind Wheeler.
Chicago Cubs:
Kyle Tucker, the right fielder, is really making waves, sitting at eighth in the league with 7 home runs, fourth in RBIs with 25, and sixth in OPS at 1.060. He’s also leading the Cubs with a batting average of .314 and 32 hits, which makes him a serious threat every time he steps up to bat.
Nico Hoerner, the second baseman, is another key player in the offense, hitting .302 with 13 RBIs. His ability to get on base and bringing in runs will be vital when facing Wheeler.
The Cubs are at the top of the National League for runs scored, showcasing a strong and well-rounded lineup that knows how to create runs in different ways.
Matchup Analysis
This matchup is likely to turn into a pitching showdown featuring two experienced starters. Wheeler’s skills in shutting down the Cubs’ offense will be crucial, especially when facing power hitters such as Tucker and Schwarber. On the other hand, Boyd has to keep the Phillies’ speed and clutch hitting in check, especially from Turner and Hoskins.
The Cubs’ bullpen has been on fire lately, and that could really make a difference if the game stays tight in the later innings. On the other side, the Phillies’ offense has been a bit hit or miss, but they can definitely come alive with runners in scoring position, just like we’ve seen in their recent games.
Betting Odds and Predictions
The Phillies are considered slight favorites, with predictive models giving them a 56-57% chance of winning.
The moneyline odds are in favor of the Phillies, ranging from -148 to -151, while the Cubs are seen as underdogs, sitting around +124 to +127.
The over/under is set at about 7.5 runs, indicating expectations for a game that might not see too many runs scored, thanks to solid pitching.
Some models recommend betting on the Cubs for better value, even though the Phillies have the advantage, due to the Cubs’ strong offense and bullpen.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 4 – Chicago Cubs 3
This forecast relies on the Phillies having the home field advantage and Wheeler’s solid pitching, but it anticipates a close match with the Cubs really going for it offensively. Both teams’ bullpens are probably going to face some challenges, with the Phillies managing to secure a slim win due to clutch hitting and the backing of their home crowd.