By: Matt Rappa, managing editor 
CHICAGO — The Philadelphia Phillies (26-22) will look to avoid their third consecutive series defeat as they face right-hander Kyle Hendricks and the MLB-best Chicago Cubs (32-14) Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
Right-hander Jerad Eickhoff will take the mound for the Phillies in his first career start at the 102-year-old venue. Eickhoff — who grew up 300 miles south of Wrigley in Evansville, Indiana — is 2-6 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career road starts.
The Phillies have lost five of their last seven games, outscored 28-21 by opponents.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (26-22) | Chicago Cubs (32-14) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jerad Eickhoff | RHP | Kyle Hendricks | ||
| (2-6, 3.86 ERA) | (2-4, 3.30 ERA) | ||||
Jerad Eickhoff — Age: 25;
- Last Start: May 22, 2016, vs. ATL: W, 7.0 IP, 5 H 0 R, BB, 3 SO
- Career vs. CHC: (0-0), 1 G, 7.0 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, 8 SO, HR, 1.29 ERA
Eickhoff's only career start against the Cubs occurred last season on Sept. 12 at Citizens Bank Park. The right-hander tossed seven innings of one-run baseball on three hits and three walks, allowing just a solo home run to left fielder Kyle Schwarber in the third inning.
Schwarber underwent season-ending surgery on April 19 to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, suffered in a collision with teammate outfielder Dexter Fowler on April 7.
Kyle Hendricks — Age: 26;
- Last Start: May 22, 2016, at SFG: L, 5.1 IP, 3 H, R, ER, 3 BB, SO
- Career vs. PHI: (1-0), 1 G, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 4.05 ERA
Hendricks' only career start against the Phillies came last season on Sept. 11 in the back-end of a doubleheader. Three of the right-hander's four hits allowed were doubles by center fielder Odubel Herrera, first baseman Ryan Howard and third baseman Cody Asche.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (26-22) | Chicago Cubs (32-14) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 1 | CF | Dexter Fowler | S |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | RF | Jason Heyward | L |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | 3B | Kris Bryant | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | 1B | Anthony Rizzo | L |
| 5 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 5 | 2B | Ben Zobrist | S |
| 6 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 6 | LF | Jorge Soler | R |
| 7 | LF | David Lough | L | 7 | C | Miguel Montero | L |
| 8 | P | Jerad Eickhoff | R | 8 | SS | Addison Russell | R |
| 9 | RF | Peter Bourjos | R | 9 | P | Kyle Hendricks | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 2:20 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies are 17-7 and 9-15 this season when they and their opponent score first, respectively. They are 16-2 when they out-hit their opponents and 20-9 when they hit at least one home run.
- Pete Mackanin's squad is 6-4 in their last 10 games at Wrigley Field (392-479 all-time), outhitting the Cubs 95-74. The Phillies have four consecutive double-digit hit games at the venue, dating back to July 24, 2015.
- Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is 0-3 with three strikeouts in three career plate appearances against Eickhoff.
What's Next:
- Sunday, May 29, 2016: at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.
- Wrigley Field
- RHP Vince Velasquez (5-1, 2.75 ERA) vs. RHP John Lackey (4-2, 3.38 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
