By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
A familiar face will be opposing the Philadelphia Phillies (28-20) Wednesday evening in the third of their four-game series and seven-game road trip, opposite the Chicago Cubs (28-18) at the historic Wrigley Field — 2008 World Series MVP southpaw Cole Hamels. The Phillies will take on their former ace for the first time; the last time the 14-year veteran pitched in a game involving the Phillies was also at Wrigley Field — his no-hitter and last start in the club's uniform before being traded to the Texas Rangers just days later in July 2015.
Tonight, Cole Irvin faces Cole Hamels.
It’s the first Cole vs. Cole pitching matchup in @MLB history. pic.twitter.com/QI0qTfcTvj
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 22, 2019
While the Phillies will oppose a left-handed "Cole," they will start a left-handed "Cole" on their own — Cole Irvin — for his third career start. Thus far in his big-league career, Irvin has thrown two quality starts, while posting a 2.77 ERA, 0.923 WHIP, and walking just two batters over 13 innings. Irvin's debut on May 12 came exactly 13 years after Hamels made his debut with the Phillies in 2006.
RELATED | Phillies Denied 5th Straight Win in Loss to Cubs
A heartbreak, walk-off loss on Tuesday handed the Phillies their 20th loss, while also snapping their four-game winning streak. The club's only two runs scored came via a go-ahead, two-out, two-RBI single by Andrew McCutchen in the seventh. Starter Zach Eflin went six innings and allowed just one run; RHP Juan Nicasio was in line for his second save in as many consecutive games, however he struggled by allowing two runs en route to the blown save and defeat. The Phillies were outhit 10-6, leaving seven on base and going 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Also, for the first time in his career, Bryce Harper failed to reach base at least once in a game played at Wrigley Field, snapping his 18-game streak (0-4, 3 groundouts, 1 strikeout).
The Phillies will look to regain the series advantage, with both teams splitting the first-two games of the series by one-run margins.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (28-20) | Chicago Cubs (28-18) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Cole Irvin | LHP | Cole Hamels | ||
| (2-0, 2.77 ERA) | (4-0, 3.13 ERA) | ||||
LHP Cole Irvin, Age: 25
- Career vs. CHC: N/A
- Career at Wrigley Field: N/A
LHP Cole Hamels, Age: 35
- Career vs. PHI: N/A
- Career at Wrigley Field: 5-3, 1.92 ERA, 16 G, 16 GS, 108 IP, 73 H, 30 R, 23 ER, 10 HR, 29 BB, 111 SO, 0.944 WHIP
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (28-20) | Chicago Cubs (28-18) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 1 | LF | Kyle Schwarber | L |
| 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R | 2 | RF | Kris Bryant | R |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | SS | Javier Baez | R |
| 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 5 | C | Willson Contreras | R |
| 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 6 | CF | Albert Almora | R |
| 7 | CF | Scott Kingery | R | 7 | 2B | Addison Russell | R |
| 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 8 | 3B | David Bote | R |
| 9 | P | Cole Irvin | L | 9 | P | Cole Hamels | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 8:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Since the start of last season, the Phillies' 10 losses when leading in the ninth inning or later are the most in baseball; the club is 26-2 this season when entering the ninth inning with a lead. The Cubs, meanwhile, have the most walk-off wins this season (5).
- Shortstop Jean Segura's 12-game hitting streak is the longest in baseball:
- Phillies 2019 season series record: 9-4-2; the club has not won a series at Wrigley Field since July 24-26, 2015.
- The script has flipped for Bryce Harper, who was purposely hit in just his eighth career game by Hamels back in May 2012. Harper is 8-for-34 lifetime against him with a double, RBI, eight walks and eight strikeouts (.235/.395/.265) (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Thursday, May 23, 2019: at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.
- Wrigley Field, Chicago, Il.
- RHP Aaron Nola (4-0, 4.47 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Lester (3-2, 2.09 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
