The Philadelphia Phillies (8-9) and the Chicago Cubs (8-9) have identical records after 17 games. The two teams have split the first two games of the series. The Phillies lineup put up 12 runs in the first six innings for a comprehensive win in the series opener. The Cubs offense bounced back for a 10-4 win in Game 2.

The slow starts to both their campaigns have left them chasing the leaders in their division. The Cubs are rock bottom of the NL Central standings but only 2.0 games behind the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies are third in the NL East and 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves.

Phillies vs. Cubs Game 3: Projected Lineups and Starters

Starting Lineups

Phillies

1. SS Trea Turner R
2. DH K. Schwarber L
3. 1B Bryce Harper L
4. 3B Alec Bohm R
5. RF A. Garcia R
6. 2B Edmundo Sosa R
7. C J. Realmuto R
8. LF Otto Kemp R
9. CF J. Crawford L

Cubs

1. 2B Nico Hoerner R
2. 3B Alex Bregman R
3. RF Seiya Suzuki R
4. LF Ian Happ S
5. C Carson Kelly R
6. SS D. Swanson R
7. DH Miguel Amaya R
8. CF P. Crow-Armstrong L
9. 1B Matt Shaw R

Starting Pitchers

Phillies: Jesus Luzardo, 1-2 record, 6.23 ERA, 26 Ks, 1.15 WHIP

Cubs: Shota Imanaga, 0-1 record, 2.81 ERA, 20 Ks, 0.81 WHIP

Phillies vs. Cubs Game 3: Preview

The Phillies’ key to recording wins this season has been their power. They hold a 6-0 record in games when they have hit at least two home runs. The Cubs lineup has a collective .239/.336/.371 slash line. They have scored 13 more runs than their opponents so far this season.

Brandon Marsh paces the Phillies with a .305 average. He has nine RBIs in his last ten games. Kyle Schwarber leads Philadelphia in home runs (6) and RBIs (12) overall. Carson Kelly has a Cubs team-high .333 average. Nico Hoener has 13 RBIs this season, while Dansby Swanson has four extra-base hits in the last ten games.

After earning a loss in his first start, Shota Imanaga has earned just one run over 11.0 innings of work in his next two starts. He was hitless in his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, the Cubs surrendered a 2-0 loss after he left the mound. Opposing him will be Jesus Luzardo, who has yet to hit his stride. He has been hit 16 times in 17.1 innings so far this season.

Phillies vs. Cubs Game 3: Projected Odds, Tips and Prediction

Odds as per DraftKings Sportsbook

Moneyline: Phillies (-136), Cubs (+113)

Total: Over 8.5 (-115), Under 8.5 (-105)

Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+141), Cubs +1.5 (-171)

Both teams have four wins each in night games. The starting pitching matchup should tips the scales in favor of the Cubs but oddsmakers are favoring the Phillies to win at home.

Prediction: Phillies 4, Cubs 3