Phillies
Phillies set to face Hendricks, Cubs in series opener
Published05 Jun 2018
By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Having lost five of seven games thus far during their 10-game, 11-day road trip, the Philadelphia Phillies (31-26) would need to sweep the Chicago Cubs (33-23) to even their road trip record. Zach Eflin will look to get his club on the right path of that goal as he opposes Kyle Hendricks Tuesday evening at Wrigley Field.
The Phillies' 6-1 loss on Sunday sealed their second losing series sweep of 2018. Starter Jake Arrieta faced the minimum heading into the sixth with the Phillies up 1-0 — thanks to his solo home run, the Phillies' only run of the three-game series against the San Francisco Giants. Things started to unravel, however, for the veteran ace as the Giants scored five runs in the frame on five hits, including a three-run home run by Andrew McCutchen. After the game, Arrieta said Phillies defensive shifts are the "worst in the league." Arrieta, a former Cub from 2013-2017, returns to Wrigley Field for the first time since his departure.
The Phillies have won just once over their last seven games at Wrigley Field since May 2016. Over this 1-6 stretch at the historic venue, the Phillies have been outscored 37-26 and outhit 65-60. This season, the Cubs have won eight of their last 10 games — and each of their last four — while the Phillies have fallen in three straight and in seven of their last 10.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (31-26) | Chicago Cubs (33-23) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Zach Eflin | RHP | Kyle Hendricks | ||
| (1-2, 4.50 ERA) | (4-4, 3.19 ERA) | ||||
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 24
- Career vs. CHC: 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1.286 WHIP
- Career at Wrigley Field: 0-0, 3.86 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1.286 WHIP
Eflin has failed to pitch at least five innings in each of his last three starts, allowing a combined 15 runs — 12 earned — in 13 1/3 innings on 10 singles, six doubles, three home runs, five walks and 16 strikeouts. The right-hander has allowed 10 runs in 14 2/3 innings on the road this season.
RHP Kyle Hendricks, Age: 28
- Career vs. PHI: 3-1, 2.60 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 27 2/3 IP, 19 H, 8 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 26 SO, 0.831 WHIP
- Career at Wrigley Field: 22-12, 2.47 ERA, 56 G, 55 GS, 339 IP, 280 H, 98 R, 93 ER, 32 HR, 74 BB, 293 SO, 1.044 WHIP
Hendricks last faced the Phillies on August 26 last season at Citizens Bank Park, where he tossed seven innings and allowed just two runs on six hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. Through six starts at home this season, the five-year veteran is 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA, 33-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 0.816 WHIP.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (31-26) | Chicago Cubs (33-23) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | 2B | Ben Zobrist | S |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | RF | Jason Heyward | L |
| 3 | SS | Scott Kingery | R | 3 | 3B | Kris Bryant | R |
| 4 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S | 4 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L |
| 5 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 5 | C | Willson Contereras | R |
| 6 | LF | Nick Williams | L | 6 | LF | Kyle Schwarber | L |
| 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 7 | SS | Javier Baez | R |
| 8 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R | 8 | CF | Albert Almora Jr. | R |
| 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R | 9 | P | Kyle Hendricks | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 8:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies currently sit 1 1/2 games out of the second Wild Card spot in the National League; they trail the division-leading Atlanta Braves by 2 1/2 games.
- This season, the Cubs have produced the fifth-most combined hits (532), while the Phillies have produced the second-fewest combined hits (439). On the mound, the Cubs have the second-best team ERA (3.18) with the Phillies not too far behind: a MLB fifth-best 3.47 team ERA.
- Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is expected to miss a couple games after suffering a sprained left middle finger on Sunday against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
- Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is 3-4 lifetime against Eflin, albeit with no extra-base hits. Maikel Franco, Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera and Nick Williams, meanwhile are a combined 5-30 against Hendricks with two doubles, one RBI, one walk and seven strikeouts.
What's Next:
Wednesday, June 6, 2018: at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.
- Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.
- RHP Aaron Nola (7-2, 2.18 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (6-4, 4.30 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
