The Philadelphia Phillies (8-9) and Chicago Cubs (8-9) have traded blows in the first two games of this three-game set and will now wrap up the series in Wednesday night’s rubber match at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies dominated the series opener Monday night by a score of 13-7, but the Cubs bounced back Tuesday night with a 10-4 win to even the series at one game apiece.
Wednesday night’s series finale features a pair of southpaws in what could very well be a pitcher’s duel. Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga is scheduled to start for the Cubs, while the Phillies will send out lefty Jesús Luzardo.
Cubs vs. Phillies Game Info
- 📍 Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
- 📅 Date: Wednesday, April 15
- ⏰ First Pitch: 6:40 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Cubs: Shota Imanaga
- Phillies: Jesús Luzardo
Cubs vs. Phillies Current Odds
The Phillies are listed as home favorites at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook with the series on the line:
- Moneyline: Phillies -145, Cubs +120
- Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+145), Cubs +1.5 (-175)
- Total (Runs): Over 8.5 (-130), Under 8.5 (+110)
Cubs & Phillies Futures: NL Pennant & World Series Odds
Both the Cubs and Phillies entered the 2026 MLB season with high expectations, but neither team has gotten off to the start they had hoped for through 17 games.
The Cubs made notable additions, including an offseason trade to acquire right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins and the five-year, $175 million signing of three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency. The Phillies, meanwhile, opted to run it back with largely the same group, hoping a revamped bullpen and an influx of young talent from the minor leagues would provide a spark and help fuel a deep playoff run after two consecutive disappointing NLDS exits.
Despite the underwhelming starts, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook still lists both teams among the top five favorites to win the 2026 NL pennant, with the Cubs at +1300 and the Phillies at +900. The Phillies are also tied for the fourth-best odds to win the 2026 World Series at +1600, while the Cubs are tied for the eighth-best odds at +2500.
Imanaga vs. Luzardo Pitching Matchup & Game Preview
Imanaga has been a reliable starter for the Cubs since coming over from Japan a few years ago. The 32-year-old was named an All-Star, finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, and placed fifth in NL Cy Young voting in his first MLB season in 2024. He followed that up with a 3.73 ERA in 2025 and is off to a strong start this year, posting a 2.81 ERA with 20 strikeouts through his first three starts.
The Phillies acquired Luzardo in a trade with the Marlins prior to the 2025 season, and the lefty has shown flashes of elite, Cy Young-caliber potential. The 28-year-old earned a five-year contract extension heading into his second season with the team in 2026, but he has had a somewhat shaky start, allowing five or more runs in two of his first three appearances.
A large reason for both teams’ early-season struggles has been inconsistency from their star players. For the Cubs, Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Dansby Swanson are hitting a combined .212 so far this season, while the Phillies’ star trio of Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper are batting .250 collectively.
Even though both teams are averaging 8.5 runs per game through the first two games of this series in South Philly, each lineup has performed well below expectations to start the year.
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for CHC-PHI
There’s plenty of star talent set to take the baseball field in Wednesday night’s series finale, and player props are gaining steam as first pitch approaches. Here are the top five most-bet player props for Cubs vs. Phillies:
- Kyle Schwarber – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Bryce Harper – Hits Over 0.5
- Alex Bregman – Hits Over 0.5
- Bryce Harper – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Nico Hoerner – To Record 1+ Hits
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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