The Philadelphia Phillies (56-29) and Chicago Cubs (39-47) meet Wednesday at Wrigley Field at 8:05 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Phillies vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Philadelphia leads 1-0

The Phillies clubbed 3 doubles and a pair of home runs in prevailing 6-4 in Tuesday’s series opener. It was Philadelphia’s 6th straight win against Chicago’s NL entry.

The scuffling Cubs are 2-7 over their last 9 games and just 15-30 since May 13. Over the 2-7 stretch, Chicago has produced a subpar .336 slugging percentage.

Phillies at Cubs projected starters

RHP Zack Wheeler vs. LHP Shota Imanaga

Wheeler (9-4, 2.73 ERA) is lined up for his 18th start. He has a 0.98 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 105 2/3 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 7-4 loss vs. Miami Marlins Thursday
  • Career vs. Cubs: 2-2, 3.66 ERA (46 2/3 IP, 19 ER), 40 H, 14 BB, 46 K in 8 starts

Imanaga (7-2, 3.07 ERA) is making his 16th start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.5 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 85 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 5-3 win at San Francisco Giants Thursday
  • Has registered a 6.89 ERA, .869 OPS allowed over his last 6 starts
  • Has never faced the Phillies

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Phillies at Cubs odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:27 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Phillies -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Cubs +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Phillies -1.5 (+135) | Cubs +1.5 (-160)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Phillies at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 5, Phillies 4

Moneyline

The Phils are just 7-8 over their last 15 road games. Over that span, the Philadelphia offense has filed some higher-strikeout midrange OPS numbers. Peg the Philly offense as being a bit overrated against southpaws. The Phils own a .763 OPS against lefties, but that figure is buoyed by a .318 batting average on balls in play.

The Cubs have played a tough slate so far and figure as being a couple or 3 games better than what shows in their won-loss percentage. And with veteran starters especially, surface stats from past meetings can be quite misleading. Per ESPN, current Cubs batters own an aggregate .807 OPS against Wheeler.

TAKE CHICAGO (+110).

Run line/Against the spread

Better value on the outright play. PASS.

Over/Under

The Over is 10-1-2 in the last 13 July games at Wrigley Field.

Both starters have some significant fade lean; both have expected-ERA figures — numbers based on quality of contact, normalized BABIP, home-run and situational rates — upwards of their surface stats.

On a humid evening at Wrigley Field, BACK THE OVER 7.5 (-110).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

For more Sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Fantasy baseball help from BaseballHQ.com:
Subscribe now to dominate the competition.