Phillies head to Wrigley Field to take on reigning World Series champion Cubs

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

CHICAGO — Having lost three consecutive games, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-12) will look to return to the .500 mark — in the series opener of the four-game set — against the reigning World Series champion Chicago Cubs (13-11) Monday evening at the historic Wrigley Field.

Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez will also look to even his personal win-loss record as he opposes left-hander Brett Anderson, who signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract that could max out at $10 million with the Cubs in late January. Anderson spent the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies' most recent opponent who handed them their second series losing sweep of the season.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Velasquez Career vs. CHC: 0-1, 12.60 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 5 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 6 SO, 2.200 WHIP

Velasquez, 24, has thrown deeper into each successive start this season. The right-hander needs to toss at least 6 2/3 innings on Monday to keep that streak going against the Chicago Cubs, whose active members are batting .364/.391/.636 lifetime against him through 22 at-bats.

The Montclair, California native's only career start at Wrigley Field occurred on May 29, 2016. He suffered the losing decision in the 7-2 Phillies defeat, allowing seven runs on nine hits, two walks and two home runs in 4 2/3 innings. Velasquez started again against the Cubs 10 days later at Citizens Bank Park, but was pulled after retiring just one batter on two pitches due to right biceps soreness. He was reactivated from the 15-day disabled list on June 26.

Anderson Career vs. PHI: 1-1, 3.27 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 HR, 4 BB, 10 SO, 1.273 WHIP

Anderson, 29, has allowed just one home run this season through 20 1/3 innings. In three of the southpaw's four starts, he has allowed one run or less while tossing at least five innings. Anderson walked six batters in as many innings during his most recent start, April 24 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Both of the Stillwater, Oklahoma native's career outings against the Phillies occurred in 2015 while as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In each of the starts, Anderson surrendered two walks, a double and struck out five batters.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 8:05 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes

• The Cubs have lost three of their last four games, including a series defeat to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Last season, the Phillies fell in five of their six games against the Cubs, outscored 33-13 and outhit 60-39.

• Shortstop Freddy Galvis currently has the fourth-longest active hitting streak in baseball, 12. Galvis, who is hitting .340/.354/.532 over this stretch, bests Cubs third baseman and 2016 National League Most Valuable Player Kris Bryant by one game. Bryant leads the Cubs this season in batting average (.289).

• No active member of the Phillies has tripled or homered against Anderson through 60 at-bats. Outfielder Michael Saunders and third baseman Maikel Franco have both doubled once, while injured 2B/OF Howie Kendrick (Grade 1 oblique strain) has doubled twice while in opposition of the left-hander.

NL East Standings (entering May 1, 2017)

What's Next:

• Tuesday, May 2, 2017: at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m.
• Wrigley Field
• RHP Jeremy Hellickson (4-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Lester (0-1, 3.68 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP